It is a member of a large genus that is drought resistant, thorned and native to arid zones. These Amazing Sahara Desert Plants are Masters at Adaptation. Adaptations help desert animals to acquire and retain water, and to regulate body temperatures, which helps them to survive in the harsh conditions of the desert. The acacia tree has some unique adaptations to protect itself from animals. Several adaptations have evolved in desert plants to meet this need. Acacia requires temperatures that exceed 64 degrees Fahrenheit. The stems of desert plants also exhibit various specializations that allow them to thrive in harsh desert climates. One such adaptation is the poisonous alkaloid that the tree pumps into the leaves. Structural adaptations: - There are thorns that protect the plant from unwanted predators - Long tap roots that reach water and moisture underground Adaptations in Desert Animals. Stems of most cacti and other succulents are thick and fleshy. Thick and Fleshy Stems. Acacia grows as a bush or a tree and is found across the deserts in the southwest United States. A popular example is the community of the Sahara desert plants. This discourages the animals from eating the leaves. Desert plants are among the hardiest types of vegetation found on Earth. It also releases a chemical that prompts other acacia trees nearby to produce the same alkaloid. Such stems hold moisture that helps the plant survive drought. Acacia is not a cactus, but it is prickly. During dry periods they do not perform … High temperatures and scarcity of water makes sustenance very difficult in the desert. Stem Adaptations in Desert Plants. The genus Acacia previously contained roughly 1300 species, about 960 of them native to Australia. Most desert plants are inactive for much of the year.