The Common Saltbush: Mojave Desert

The “Common saltbush” is a shrub that grows to be about 2 to 3 feet tall. The shrubs are adapted to living in dry environments, such as the Mojave desert. The stems and leaves are covered with small white scales called scurf, that help the plant conserve water, but the common saltbush doesn't like lots of water. The leaves are sharp spines alternately clustered around the stem of the plant. In extreme droughts it will drop all of its leaves.