Flowers Bloom in the Driest Desert in the World

In the Southern Hemisphere, the period from September to November is spring. Therefore, the appearance of vegetation in this arid region is linked to the seasonal change. However, even in spring, blooming in the Atacama is a rare phenomenon, occurring once every few years and only when rainfall occurs — which happened this year.

Biologists from Andres Bello University in Chile have noted a plant with violet-reddish flowers that shows resistance to the desert's harsh conditions. By late September and early October, this plant covered the desert like a flowering carpet. Locals call it the “guanaco’s hoof” (guanaco is a mammal similar to a llama).

Scientists believe the genetic code of this plant could help develop drought-resistant agricultural crops, which will be essential in the context of global warming. Researchers are currently testing this hypothesis.

In June 2025, snow fell in the Atacama Desert for the first time in decades. Scientists believe such a series of unusual natural events is linked to climate change.