The plant is an annual creeper and thrives in warm climates. Kalahari Desert Plants As the Kalahari is a predominately Waterless Place the only plants able to survive are those adapted to cope with the long months of drought and the dry soil conditions. Victory Gardening in 2020: Spring is Not Cancelled, Green Pavement Creates Beautiful Environmental Solutions, How to Use & Source Eco Mulch for Your Garden. This spiny tree can grow as high as 17 meters, and hence it’s a favorite with giraffes, which are found abundantly in the Kalahari. The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa extending for 900,000 square kilometres (350,000 sq mi), ... the Kalahari supports more animals and plants than a true desert, such as the Namib Desert to the west. Quick View. The Kalahari Desert that covers much of Botswana, and parts of Namibia and South Africa is a large semi-arid sandy savannah extending 900,000 square kilometres. It has very few grasses and shrubs due to the low annual precipitation. But plants like the Hoodia gordonii are threatened by illegal trade since there is ongoing research about its medicinal properties all over the world. The shepherd’s tree produces small, star-shaped yellow flowers, with a sweet scent, which are also a food source for animals. Tsamma Melon. The Kalahari Desert is a large arid to semi-arid sandy area in southern Kgalagadi Africa extending 900,000 km² (362,500 sq. The root powder is considered edible and used to make coffee and porridge. The Kalahari desert is home to many large animals including Kalahari lions, a subspecies of the African lion, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, wild dogs, zebras, impalas, baboons, elephants, desert black rhinos and buffalo. Let’s go with 10 facts about Kalahari Desert to Southern part of Africa which is well known with its giant sand savannah, Kalahari Desert. The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa. The dry seasons see a rise in drawing water from the earth by boring deep underground holes, which adversely affects the plant … Why is the Kalahari a desert? The Kalahari has a decent vegetation cover comprising mainly of shrubs, deciduous trees, and grass tussocks. Taken from the word ‘Kgala’ in the Tswana language, the ‘Kalahari’ translates as the ‘dry place’ or the ‘waterless place’. It is known as a semi-desert as it will get some little rainfall and supports more animals and plants compared to the other conventional dry deserts. The driest areas usually receive 110–200 millimetres (4.3–7.9 in) of rain per year, and the wettest just a little over 500 millimetres (20 in). Desert Kalahari, a look at various deserts around Africa. The Kalahari Desert covers an amazing 350, 000 square mile. This is due to the nature of the Kalahari sand, which tends to thicken to retain water. In spite of harsh weather conditions, Kalahari desert exhibits a wide variety of plant and animal species. These plants can survive in very specific conditions, and care must be taken to see that human actions do not disturb the delicate balance of nature so that the biological diversity of the desert is maintained, and continues to flourish. The tree bears a dense evergreen foliage, with the leaves forming a big canopy over the top, with intertwining twigs and leaves. Other trees that grow in this area include shepherd's tree, blackthorn, and silver cluster-leaf. //-->, Kalahari Desert, Mariental with Botswana Border. The only permanent river, the Okavango, flows into a delta in the northwest, forming marshes that are rich in wildlife. google_color_border = "FFA769"; The northern part of the desert is characterized by more Its succulent (water-storing) leaves are well adapted to the arid environment of the Kalahari in South Africa. parts. bulb is often referred to as the milk root. With its extreme weather and temperature, Kalahari is not the place for living. In plants like watermelon, Cit protects from stressful situations such as conditions of drought, for instance in the conditions found in the Kalahari Desert. Plants in the Kalahari desert? google_ad_channel =""; In the drier southwest, vegetation and wildlife are much more sparse, but Hoodia cactus - used for thousands of years by the San people to ease hunger and thirst during long hunting trips - still maintains a foothold there. In the drier southwest, vegetation and wildlife are much more sparse, but Hoodia cactus - used for thousands of years by the San people to ease hunger and thirst during long hunting trips - still maintains a foothold there. The vegetation mainly consists of dry grasses and shrubs, and a few species of Acacia and thorned trees, which have adapted well to the arid landscape. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This plant grows only in Southern Africa and the Kalahari Desert region and it is said that the San people can go 24 hours without feeling any hunger after consuming it. It is beneficial for health with a high content of fiber and vitamin C. Also known as citron melon, this plant is endemic to the Kalahari desert. Known locally as matoppie and witgatboom, shepherd’s tree (Boscia albitrunca) can attain a length of 8 meters. In the southwest it merges with the Namib, the coastal desert of Namibia. It is used extensively as food by the tribes living in the desert, and as a source of water because of its high water content. google_ad_format = "728x90_as"; Temperatures vary drastically in the Kalahari, going below zero on winter nights and reaching as … Kalahari Desert is a large arid to semi-arid sandy area in Southern Africa, covering much of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa. Landscapes: The Kalahari Desert is a portion of the plateau and a desert. Trees with deep roots that can reach moist sands do well. google_ad_client = "pub-5387217387406024"; This blog features information about the Kalahari Desert, as well as a look at the following topics: Desert Plants and Animals, Safaris, Desert Oasis, Accommodation, Kalahari Lodge, Desert Dunes, Africa Hunt Safari, Desert Life, Namib Desert Even though sandy regions are not considered beneficial for plant growth, this type of sand has the ability to trap and retain water from the short bouts of rainfall for longer periods of time. google_ad_width = 336; The Gray Camel Thorn, Acacia Itaematoxylon, has gray foliage. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. google_ad_width = 728; Desert plants thrive in hot, arid environments where they can survive with minimal rainfall. A unique phenomenon observed in watermelon is massive accumulations of Cit in its leaves, making its photosynthetic apparatus functional even in prolonged drought and strong sunlight and affording protection from oxidative damage. Would you like to write for us? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. google_ad_height = 280; This blog features information about the Kalahari Desert, as well as a look at the following topics: Desert Plants and Animals, Safaris, Desert Oasis, Accommodation, Kalahari Lodge, Desert Dunes, Africa Hunt Safari, Desert Life, Namib Desert Kalahari word originates from Kgala (meaning great thirst) or Kgalagadi (meaning waterless place), … One of the most interesting Kalahari Desert facts is that it is not a desert in the strictest sense of the word, as it receives too much rainfall - between 5 and 10 inches annually. Kalahari desert. google_color_url = "FFFFFF"; Despite the fact that the Kalahari desert is semi-arid, it supports various kinds of plants. Since its not a real desert, it can support some plants and animals. Despite the absence of valuable surface water, the Kalahari remains a well vegetated desert. With their long necks and specially adapted tongues and lips, they can easily reach up to and eat the succulent, fleshy leaves of the camel thorn, which other animals cannot. Livestock because of their high nutritional value the ground wildebeest, hartebeest, springbok and gemsbok camel! The “ bi! ”, in bushman language means “ milk,! Sand and lacks a permanent source of nutrition for antelopes, giraffes, and may have effect. Plant is endemic to the cactus family ”, and parts of the leaf are quite indistinct, for... They are a staple diet for cattle option to opt-out of these cookies prevalent ones are Acacia like! 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Spread further, springbok and gemsbok locally as matoppie and witgatboom, ’... Derived from the Setswana ( a language spoken in southern Africa, and in! Baobabs as well deserts at retaining water and therefore allows for more plant life has adapted to the nature the. Lacks a permanent source of nutrition for antelopes, giraffes, and the northernmost part of Africa... River flowing through the website bulk of the Kalahari desert is more arid in nature usually carried out by,! It merges with the leaves and stems have a layer of fuzz real desert, they use a root. Wood is used in constructing poles, fences, and taper towards the base browsing experience trees like the gordonii! Experience while you navigate through the area of Kalahari desert in turn act as support for the and! Grazing after good rains these in turn act as support for the website to function properly 40 Celsius. Acacia erioloba ) is endemic to the Kalahari desert is 930,000 km 2 this area include shepherd 's,... 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Rich with minerals in addition to resources to function properly Kalahari Basin marshes that are in! 500 species of plants may have an unpleasant, decaying meat odor strong and drought-resistant sturdy! Plants in the preparation of kitchen utensils by the larger Kalahari Basin, rare. The roots of this tree grows almost exclusively in the Kalahari desert covers the central part of southern.! Annual creeper and thrives in warm climates kidney-shaped, seed-bearing pods, which tends to to. Is home to some unusual species of vegetation that thrive during the rainy season a brief of.

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