Cacti native to the Americas

Source: Mojave National Preserve, California

and Succulents found in dry locales across the globe are known for their drought tolerance and incredible water storage abilities. CACTI AND OTHER SUCCULENTS

Some exemplars flower regularly with others such as the world’s largest desert Bromeliad Puya raimondii (aka: Queen of the Andes) blooming only once every 100 odd years in the wild.

Gobi Desert flowers include wild crocuses, saltwort, wild onions and tamarix (aka: salt cedar).

Tamarix

The Australian Outback hosts some of the most unique wildflowers on the planet. Examples include Sturt’s Desert Pea, Kangaroo Paw and a colourful array of desert grevilleas.

Sturt’s Desert Pea

Kangaroo Paw

Desert Grevillea

The Sahara Desert is dotted in places with flowering trees such as acacia, date palms, cypress and olive trees as well as oleander and tamarix shrubs and even native thyme.

Source: http://Britannica.com

Source: These Amazing Sahara Desert Plants are Masters at Adaptation

Antarctica as the most inhospitable and driest of continents nevertheless harbours two fascinating flowering plants.

For one thing, you’re mistaken to assume there are no insects in the desert. Have you ever slept outdoors in the desert? I have, and I can attest that there are plenty of insects. Desert insects do pollinate cacti and other plants. For another, flowering plants are also pollinated by other arthropods and by vertebrates including bats, birds, and mice.

See this and dozens of other photos of bats pollinating desert cacti here: Pollination - Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation

Here is a Gila woodpecker that pollinates cacti, and there are several other bird species that do so.

Arizona State Bird: Cactus Wren and Saguaro Cactus Blossom | 50 State Birds | Pinterest | Wren, Bird and Tattoo