Scientific research suggests that cacti evolved somewhere in the last 30 to 40 million years. A long time back the Americas were joined to other continents but after the continental drift became divided. Unique species of plants evolved in the New World and  must have developed after the continents had moved apart, this occuring during the last 50 million years. This explains why cacti are so rare if existant at all on continents such as Africa as the continents had already divided when cacti evolved.

Many succulent plants such as the Euphorbias in both the Old and New World bear a striking resemblance to cacti, and are often wrongly called cactus. However none of these are closely related to the Cactaceae family.

Agave deserti (Desert Agave) is an agave native to desert regions in southern California and Arizona.

Agaves, in general, are called century plants with reference to the amount of time it takes them to bloom. This can be anywhere from 5 to 50 years depending on the growing conditions and the species involved.

The flowering stem rises anything upto 15 feet, producing yellow flowers from late spring to early summer.

The Desert Agave is drought tolerant but should have good drainage and little water. The Desert Agave tolerates alkaline soil and sand.

Uses of Agave deserti (Desert Agave)

• The desert dwelling Indians used fibers from the leaves to make cloth, bowstrings, and rope.
• Young flower stalks, buds, and hearts of plants were roasted and eaten.
• Alcoholic drinks were also made from the sweet juices of this and other agaves.

We can name the following desert cactus species: Ariocarpus, Carnegiea, Cephalocereus, Echinocactus, Ferocactus, Opuntia, and some others.

When we hear the word ‘desert’ we usually imagine the Sahara with its scorching sand-dunes devoid of any vegetation. But the soil of stony deserts in Central and South America is very rich in all the necessary salts for cacti.

But if rains are extremely rare here, where does the water come from? The answer is there are plentiful dews, falling at night.

Many cacti have tap roots that are capable of storing water within. These tap roots contract during periods of drought and thus pull the cacti down low within the soil and protect them from exposure to the suns blistering heat to prevent dehydration.

Desert cactus types are not afraid of the burning sun.

For their correct development desert types of cactus require much sun, and careful watering. They can easily die because of water stagnation in the ground even during summer heat.