In the intense heat of Death Valley plants learn to meet this need in a number of ways. Their root systems are often extensive and intricate. Some of the cactuses spread their roots eighteen feet, only three inches below the surface, to absorb as much of the infrequently rains as possible, and mesquite has been known to send roots more than one hundred feet in search of water. Plant leaves are variously formed to retain moisture. The cactus leaves are thorns, the creosote bush leaves are covered with a varnish, and many other plants have dense growths of hairs.
Shrubs are widely spaced and, being completely exposed to the light, are round in form.
A great many of them are whitish gray, with yellow flowers. The lovely desert holly grew much more profusely before many cars had left the Valley with entire plants crammed in between the fender and the hood. The Park Nursery is re-establishing this plant, but it may never again be plentiful on the gravel fans. In the spring its leaves grow thicker and are tinged with green, and its rudimentary flowers are yellowish green. A shrub that rivals it in beauty is Death Valley sage, found in shaded canyons.