Qatar

In Qatar’s desert, roses of crystal and sand grow underground.

So-called desert roses form below the surface in dry, salty ground. As highly saline groundwater evaporates, gypsum begins to crystallise. Sand grains become trapped in the growing crystals and together build the rose-like shapes.

The shade of each desert rose depends on the sand grains it captures.

The form of the desert rose inspired the design of the National Museum of Qatar, where large discs intersect like a giant desert rose.