Desert Holly Landscape
Death Valley National Park
What could grow and thrive in such a rugged and unforgiving environment? We have to look at the desert holly plant. It's leaves resemble metal and shine to reflect the intense light. Look around at the landscape and note the mud cracks from a recent flash flood. The background hills funnel water from the much higher Grapevine mountains into the Mesquite flats basin. Photo © copyright by Frank LeBlanc.