Palm oasis

(1) A desert habitat with permanent water or a water table near the surface that supports a canopy of palm trees. Oasis habitats generally occupy sites with moist alkaline soils near seeps, springs, and streams. (2) An isolated palm-dominated area of vegetation in a desert, typically surrounding a spring or a similar water source. Palm oasis habitats are found adjacent to a number of other desert habitats including desert riparian, desert cactus shrub, and desert wash. In many cases, characteristic plant species from these habitats comprise the understory of palm oases.