Plants that grow in arid, harsh environments often have protective qualities, like barbed spikes on a cactus, that contribute to our perceptions of them as dangerous or unappealing. While some people certainly appreciate desert plants, they do not get nearly as much love and affection as colorful, showy traditional flowers. With a deeper look—a second impression—the intricate beauty and elegance inherent in nearly all desert plants can be a revelation. This gallery features mostly succulents, including cactuses, aloes, agaves, sedums, yuccas, echeverias, and more, and is a celebration of the graceful patterns found in these plants. These photos are from wild places and cultivated gardens.
