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Which plants grow after spring rain in the Arabian Desert?
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Arabian Desert
The Arabian Desert, the largest desert in Asia, covering an area of about 900,000 square miles (2,300,000 square km).
In the Arabian Desert, the arrival of spring rains triggers the rapid germination of long-buried seeds, transforming barren gravel plains into green landscapes. These plants are often referred to as ephemeral, as they are short-lived species that complete their entire life cycle during favorable, moisture-rich periods and survive unfavorable conditions as seeds.12
Additionally, the rains assist in the growth of truffles, which are harvested by the Bedouin. While the desert is home to a variety of perennial shrubs and tough plants, it is these tender annuals that respond most dramatically to the seasonal moisture, providing essential grazing for livestock such as camels and sheep.31