The community has low species diversity because so few plants can tolerate the harsh conditions of high winds, battering salt spray, and extreme high temperatures in the summer.
Plants that grow along the coast are very tolerant of the winds and salt and sand loaded ocean spray.
Many species are succulent, storing salty water in their leaves.
The leaves are often light colored or grey green to reflect sunlight and reduce desiccation.
Hairy leaves may reduce evapotranspiration, may help gather moisture from the air, and may reflect a small portion of incoming solar radiation thereby reducing the plants internal temperature.