The Sonoran Desert is home to iconic vegetation like the saguaro cactus, palo verde trees, and ocotillo, with Joshua trees found in transitional zones.

The Sonoran Desert hosts a diverse array of drought-resistant vegetation, with the saguaro cactus being its most iconic plant. Other common species include palo verde trees, which are Arizona’s state tree, and ocotillo, known for its tall, spiny stems that bloom after rain. While Joshua trees are more prominent in the Mojave Desert, they can occasionally be found in transitional areas of the Sonoran Desert. These plants flourish in the intense heat and dry conditions of the desert ecosystem because they are evolved to store water.