ephemerals are the 'drought escaping' kind, and not true xerophytes. they do not really endure drought, only escape it. with the onset of rainfall, the plant seeds germinate, quickly grow to maturity, flower, and set seed, i.e., the entire life cycle is completed before the soil dries out again. most of these plants are small, roundish, dense shrubs represented by species of papilionaceae, some inconspicuous compositae, a few zygophyllaceae and some grasses. water is stored in the bulbs of some plants, or at below ground level. they may be dormant during drought conditions and are, therefore, known as drought evaders.