Reaumuria soongorica Maxim. (Tamaricaeae) and Salsola passerina Bge. (Chenopodiaceae) are common shrub species in arid deserts and desert grasslands of Central Asia,and they co-exist in arid deserts. Salsol passerina is always distributed in the earth of desert grassland, and R.soongorica all over the desert. The ecological amplitude of S.passerina is smaller than R. soongorica. Salsola passerina resides in hilly, mountainous basins and piedmont zones with 100–200 mm annual rainfall. Reaumuria soongarica resides in vast piedmont zones and extended gobi (Qiu and Liu, 1982).
Reaumuria soongorica and S. passerina are the main components of zonal vegetation in the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert. The plant communities formed by these two species are mainly distrbuted from Mengjiawan to Kam Tong and are found on peaks of low hills,hillsides, and piedmont proluvial fans. Associated species inlcude Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Halogeton arachnoides Moq., and Stipa breviflora Griseb., with a total coverage of about 15%.

Reaumuria soongorica and Salsola passerina have significant differences in ecophysiological characteristics, which change with the environmental variations. Although they live together for a long period of time, their adaptive mechanisms to environmental stresses are very different. As two extreme xerophytes, Reaumuria soongorica and Salsola passerina differ significantly from other psammophytes in ecophysiological characteristics; they can survive in lower water potential, and can even grow in piedmont areas. Low water potential may be related to the existence of osmosis-regulating substance, such as praline, which can strengthen the capacity of water absorption. Compared to other psammophytes, Reaumuria soongorica and Salsola passerina have a higher degree of photo-inhibition under the same condition, and the photo-inhibition can lead to destruction of the photosynthetic pigment, nevertheless, this photo-inhibition can be repaired under suitable conditions in the morning and evening.