SOUTHWEST DESERT FLORA Cutting Board

Some desert plants, such as the creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), exhibit a unique survival strategy called "allelopathy." This means they release chemicals into the soil that inhibit the growth of nearby plants, reducing competition for scarce water and nutrients. The creosote bush is particularly effective at this, creating a zone around itself where few other plants can grow, thereby maximizing its own access to resources in the harsh desert environment.