Originally posted by Campin Nubi from Hell:

Its called "Plains"?

Deserts are plains but not all plains are deserts. The plains in Valheim are obviously not a desert.

Although if your graphics are turned down enough, maybe it looks more barren without grass and stuff.

(edit: Before someone gets pedantic, I would like to state that "all deserts are plains" may not accurately describe all parts of all deserts, which may contain mesas, mountains, oasis, etc)