Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and spore density was investigated in 20 desert plants (dominant or common species) collected from different locations of Mu Us Sandy Land of China. We observed three mycorrhizal types including Arum-type, Paris-type, and an intermediate type among the plants. Another type of potentially beneficial fungi associated with roots of all species was also observed, namely, dark septate endophytic fungi (DSEF). Of the 20 sample plants examined, all species were coinfected by the two target fungi (Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization of Salixpsammophila and DSEF colonization of Periploca septum were as low as 4%). Based on this investigation, we speculated that the DSEF are ubiquitous in desert ecosystems and can co-occur with AMF in desert plants, functioning much like mycorrhizal fungi. Further studies will be required to elucidate interactional mechanisms with AMF and the mechanisms operating in desert ecosystem.