The Devil's Cornfield

Death Valley National Park, one of the driest places in North America, is home to over 1,040 plant species.

Among the inhabitants is the arrow weed, which populates an area known as the devil's cornfield. The arrow weed survives the arid climate by rising above the sand dunes that had built up around it and has since passed over. The plant's name was derived from the fact that it's woody stock was used by native americans to craft arrows.

Other plant species include the creosote bush and mesquite which have roots that can stretch 50 feet deep in order to take advantage of a year-round supply of ground water.

--LiveScience Staff

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Credit: USGS