FLORA AND FAUNA OF ARIDOAMERICA: MOST REPRESENTATIVE SPECIES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The flora and fauna of Aridoamérica is represented by species such as the agave lechuguilla, the evening primrose and the governor. Animals such as the elf owl, the Mohave rattlesnake and the roadrunner stand out.

The denomination of Aridoamérica was established at the end of the 19th century to delimit the arid regions of North and South America before the English and Spanish colonization.

Due to its arid, dry and extremely cold climate in winter, Aridoamérica has a very poor ecological diversity.

The 5 main representatives of the flora of Aridoamérica

1- Agave lechuguilla

It bears the same name as the Lechuguilla desert in Arizona. It is located southwest of said desert and also in that of Chihuahua.

It has a yellow and red bloom only before dying.

2- Evening primrose

Its stem grows around 2 meters and its flowering can be white or yellow. It was widely used to remedy ailments of all kinds by Aridoamerican cultures.

At present, the oil from the seed of this flower is extracted for its high value in essential fatty acids.

3-

Also called encelia farinosa, it is a family of sunflowers and tends to grow in large desert areas throughout Aridoamerica.

Its flower has 15 yellow petals with a dark brown center.

4-

Its scientific name is plagiobothrys. They are small flowers with five white petals and a yellow center that resemble popcorn. They belong to the boraginaceae family.

5- Governor

Gobernadora or larrea tridentata is a yellow flower 3 centimeters in diameter.

It was used erroneously as a medicinal by the settlers of Aridoamérica. Its bush is 3 meters high.

The 5 main representatives of the fauna of Aridoamérica

one-

It is the smallest owl in North America. Its bushy feathers are brown and ocher in color.

His yellow eyes and round head without ears stand out. They inhabit all of Aridoamerica and tend to migrate further south to Mexico in winter, due to the inclement cold of the desert.

2- Mohave rattlesnake

It is widely known for its powerful neurotoxic venom. It measures between 50 and 90 centimeters.

Its color is brown, black, green, ocher and small white parts. Because of their tonality they are also called Mojave greens.

3- Turtles

Turtles feed on plants and insects and can be found throughout Aridoamerica.

These come to the surface in the morning or when it rains. At other times they usually remain hidden.

4- Giant hairy scorpion

It is the largest scorpion that can be found in North America: it measures 15 centimeters.

It is mustard yellow. Its poison seriously affects allergy sufferers and young children, although it does not have a strong impact on adults except for prolonged pain.

5- Roadrunner

It is a bird family of the cuculinae. Although it can fly, it is used to running on the ground. It feeds on lizards, small snakes, and insects.

Its plumage is brown and ocher, which makes it blend in with the soil of the arid places where it lives.

It reaches speeds of 20 miles per hour when hunting.

References

1. Manzanilla, López, L. (2000). Ancient history of Mexico. Mexico: INAH. Retrieved on October 31, 2017 from: books.google.es
2. García, J. (2014). Historical evolution of North American cultural development zones. Tepeji del Río: Texi vol. 2. Retrieved on October 31, 2017 from: books.google.es
3. Aridoamerica. Retrieved on October 31, 2017 from: en.wikipedia.org
4. Aridoamerica. Retrieved on October 31, 2017 from: mexicoensuhistoria.worldpress.org