About
Why this site exists
A personal project to document, share, and protect the plants of the Sonoran Desert.
How this all started
When I moved out to Arizona, the first thing that grabbed my attention was the plants. Every drive and every walk, there was something unfamiliar along the roadside or tucked into a hillside.
That curiosity led me into a class called Ecology of the Sonoran Desert, which focused on the flora and fauna that make this region what it is. I enjoyed the course, but I found myself especially drawn to the plants. The shapes, textures, and survival strategies were unlike anything I had grown up around.
At the same time, I was growing as a web developer and designer. This site is my way of combining that technical background with a genuine appreciation for Sonoran Desert flora.
What this site is trying to do
- Highlight the plants of the Sonoran Desert with clear photos and names.
- Explain basic identification features and everyday uses where appropriate.
- Encourage people to slow down, notice, and appreciate the desert around them.
- Point toward further research for anyone who wants to go deeper.
- Serve as a free, accessible resource for students, locals, and visitors.
Why the Sonoran Desert is worth paying attention to
Unique biodiversity
The Sonoran Desert is one of the most biologically diverse deserts on Earth, with plant communities that exist nowhere else.
Many endemic species
A significant number of plants here are endemic, meaning they naturally occur only in this region.
A fragile system
The desert looks tough, but the ecosystem is delicate. Habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species can quickly damage plant communities that took centuries to establish.
About the creator
This site is built and maintained by a UX-minded web developer living in Arizona who happens to be obsessed with desert plants. It started as a personal project and will grow as I have time to explore new trails, take more photos, and keep learning.
If you have suggestions, corrections, or plants you would love to see added, I would love to hear from you.