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Melocactus

Diverse Deserts

Climate: Arid

Covering one-third of the Earth’s land surface, deserts are an important biome. They range from the frozen, barren surface of Antarctica to the sweltering heat of the Sahara in northern Africa. While their dearth of rainfall can be harsh for plants, their severe climatic conditions also lead to adaptations that allow plants to flourish, even in the most challenging environments. Many adaptations evolved independently in multiple plant lineages, a process known as convergent evolution. 

Our desert biome focuses on subtropical deserts, commonly associated with succulent plants and sparse, thorny vegetation.  We host species from the deserts of Brazil, the Horn of Africa, and the Island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean.

Pictured: Melocactus from Northeastern Brazil

College of Biological Sciences

123 Snyder Hall
1475 Gortner Ave
St. Paul, MN 55108

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3-104 MCB
420 Washington Ave. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

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  • Future Students
    • Undergraduates
      • About CBS
      • Majors and minors
      • Schedule a tour of campus
      • Apply for admission
      • Transfer to CBS
      • Scholarships for incoming students
      • Information for admitted students
    • Graduate students
      • Graduate programs
      • Graduate School admissions
      • Funding for graduate students
  • Current Students
    • Undergraduates
      • Academic advising
      • Career coaching
      • Student engagement
      • Learning abroad
      • Research opportunities
      • Scholarships
      • Dean's list
      • Graduation and commencement
    • Graduate students
      • Funding for graduate students
      • Info for graduate assistants
      • Graduate student governance
      • Policies, forms, and resources
      • Graduate commencement
  • Academics
    • Majors and minors
    • Graduate programs
    • Departments
      • Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics
      • Biology Teaching and Learning
      • Ecology, Evolution and Behavior
      • Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
      • Plant and Microbial Biology
    • Faculty directory
  • Research
    • Research at CBS
    • Undergraduate research
    • Field stations
      • Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve
      • Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories
    • Centers and institutes
    • Facilities, resources and programs
  • About
    • About CBS
    • College leadership
    • Diversity, equity, inclusion, justice
    • Outreach and engagement
    • College directory
    • Offices and services
      • Advancement
      • Facilities
      • Human resources
      • Research & Learning Technologies
      • Student Services
    • News and events
    • Dean search
    • Resources for faculty and staff
    • Resources for postdocs
  • Alumni
    • Opportunities to engage
    • Alumni awards and recognition
    • News for alumni and friends
  • Give
    • Giving to CBS
    • Support CBS
    • Ways to give
    • Donor impact