PLANTS OF PUEBLO GRANDE

Plants of Pueblo Grande is intended to be an identification guide for the native and exotic plants in the landscape of the Pueblo Grande Museum. Along with the color pictures and line drawings of each plant a short description of the plant and its uses have been included. Each plant profile begins with the common names, scientific name and a listing of the plant size, elevation ranges and flower color.

While the food and medicinal uses of some plants are listed this is included for informational use only. Also, the collection of plants in Arizona is strongly regulated by the Native Plant Law.

Plant information, drawings and photographs by Dave Morris, PGM Museum Aide. Published at PGM 2006.

References

Foster, Nelson and Linda S. Cordell, eds. Chilies to Chocolate: Food the Americas gave the World. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press, 1992.

Nabhan, Gary Paul. Gathering the Desert. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press, 1985.

Rea, Amadeo M. At the River’s Green Edge: An Ethnobotany of the Gila River Pima. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press, 1997.

Epple, Anne O. Plants of Arizona. Helena, Montana: Falcon Press Publishing, 1995.

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Wolfberry Lycium ~ Plant Index ~ Andersonii Cactus and Cactus-like plants Squawberry Barrel Cactus …………………………………. 04 Century Plant ………………………………….. 09 Tomatillo Cholla …………………………………………. 10 Joshua Tree …………………………………… 22 Murphy’s Agave ………………………………. 03  Shrub to 9’ Prickly Pear …………………………………… 29  Below 2000’ Saguaro ……………………………………….. 30  Lavender flowers Soap Tree Yucca ……………………………… 33 Sotol …………………………………………... 34

This grayish green shrub is spiny with tubular Wildflowers lavender flowers giving way to a bright red fruit. Desert Marigold ………………………………. 12 Desert Sunflower ……………………………... 13 During many parts of the year this plant looks dead Desert Tobacco ……………………………….. 14 due to its drought deciduous nature (dropping Penstemon …………………………………….. 28 leaves in response to drought). The berries were Shrubs harvested by the native people and could be dried to Brittlebush …………………………….………. 06 preserve them or used fresh to make a pudding or Bursage ……………………………………….. 07 beverage. The berries are available in the late Creosote ………………………………………. 11 Fairy Duster …………………………………... 17 spring. There were no recorded medicinal uses Firecracker Plant ……………………………… 23 found this plant. Graythorn ……………………………….…….. 18 Hummingbird Bush …………………………... 19 Jojoba …………………………………….…… 21 Mexican Petunia ………………………….…… 26 Ocotillo …………………………………….…. 27 Senna …………………………………….……. 32 Wolfberry ……………………………….…….. 37

Trees Blue Palo Verde ………………………….…… 05 Catclaw Acacia …………………………….…. 08 Desert Willow ………………………………… 15 Eucalyptus …………………………………….. 16 Ironwood ……………………………………… 20 Mexican Palo Verde ……………………….….. 25 Screwbean Mesquite ……………………….…. 31 Sweet Acacia ……………………………….… 35 Velvet Mesquite ………………………….…… 36 Yellow Palo Verde ……………………….…… 24 37 | Page 2 | Page

Hohokam Agave Agave murpheyi Velvet Mesquite Prosopis velutina

 Leaves to 2’ / flower stalk to 18’  Small tree to 30’  3000’ to 6000’  Below 5000’  White flowers  Yellow flowers

Murphy’s agave, sometimes called the Hohokam This native mesquite is found most often along the Agave were probably “ranched” prehistorically. desert washes, flood plains, and riparian areas. It is Brought in from higher elevations and planted a legume (bean family) famous for its deep root around the edges of the farm fields. Agaves are one system. Some mesquites have roots going down of the main sources of fiber for rope, sandals and 65’ or more. Often referred to as the “tree of life” baskets. Saponins in the leaf and root system make the bean pods were ground into a flour for food. this plant a good soap substitute. Native people extracted a black dye from the bark which was used in pottery decorating.

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Sweet Acacia Acacia farinesiana Barrel cactus Ferocactus wislizenii  Small tree to 25’  Below 5000’ Compass barrel  Orange flowers Fishhook barrel

This showy acacia has bright orange puffball  To 8’ / 2’ diameter flowers that are very aromatic. These trees are  1000’ to 4500’ native to South America where the European  Orange or yellow flowers explorers found them and took specimens back to Europe. The aromatic properties of the plant were Barrel cacti are not the emergency water source of utilized in the European perfume market. A tea the western movies. The moisture in most cacti is made from the leaves or bark has germ killing alkaline and contains malic acid which causes properties. The seed pods of this legume can be diarrhea. The cactus often tilts toward the south as ground into flour. it gathers the solar radiation it needs for flowering and due to the growth retardation on the sunny side of the plant. The cactus can be eaten if cooked.

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Blue Palo Verde Ceridium Desert Spoon Dasylirion floridum wheeleri

 Tree to 30’ Sotol  500’ to 4000’  yellow flowers  Plant to 3’ / flower stalk to 10’  2000’ to 5000’ C. floridum is one of the three trees known as palo  Cream colored flowers verde (green stick). Blue palo verdes are found along desert washes, flood plains and in desert This member of the agave family is used grasslands. This species has a darker, larger leaf extensively for southwestern Native American than the other palo verdes and blooms in the spring baskets. The Sotol is one of the yuccas that has with a yellow pea like flower. The seeds were barbs along the leaf edge. Pioneers discovered that gathered by the native people and used for food and the base of the leaf was hard and resembled (and to make gourd rattles. This native species can live used as) a spoon. Yuccas unlike agaves can bloom to be 300 years old. year after year if the conditions are right.

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Brittlebush Encelia farinosa Soaptree Yucca Yucca elata Incienso Palmilla  Shrub to 4’  Plant body to 8’ with flower stalk to 30’  Below 3000’  1500’ to 6000’  Yellow flowers  White flowers The yellow daisy flower of this grey-green leaved A member of the Agave family, this yucca is plant is characteristic of many plants in the sometimes mistaken for a young Joshua tree. The sunflower family. The leaves can be boiled to make leaves of this yucca are longer than those of the a tea that was used for toothache. The resin or sap Joshua. As with many yuccas the leaves were used from the plant was gathered and used as incense by for basket making. The flowers and buds were used the Spanish priests. It was also used as a glue, to for food. True to its name the roots contain mend broken pots or to seal baskets to make them saponins (emulsifiers) which when boiled provide a waterproof. useful soap substitute.

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Little Bursage Ambrosia Senna Cassia covessii deltoidea Rattlesnake bush Triangle bursage  Shrub to 2’  Shrub to 2’  1000’to 3000’  1000’ to 3000’  Yellow flowers  inconspicuous green flowers This is a perennial shrub with showy yellow pea This gray-green leaved perennial shrub is the most flowers. The common name of rattlesnake bush common ground cover of the desert. It is often a comes from the rattle sound made by the dried seed “nurse” plant for smaller cactus and aids in soil pods. A medicinal plant, Senna is known for its stabilization. The flowers along with flowers of A. laxative properties. Make a tea from the leaves ambrosioides (Canyon Ragweed) are the chief picked when the flowers are in bloom. To reduce pollen producers giving this plant a common name the harshness of this treatment, add Desert Lavender of Desert Ragweed. No food or medicinal uses or peppermint to the Senna tea. A tea from the were found for this plant. seeds pods is less harsh.

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Screwbean Mesquite Prosopis pubescens Catclaw Acacia Acacia greggii

 Sub tree to 20’ Wait-a-minute bush  1000’ to 5500’  Yellow catkin flower  Shrub to small tree to 23’  Below 5000’ A relative of the more common Velvet Mesquite (P.  Whitish flower velutina), Screwbeans can be utilized for the same purposes. The tea of the leaves and bark are germ This acacia has a delicate fern like leaf with killing and astringent due to the tannins in those branches armed with recurved thorns that resemble parts. The seed pods of this tree twist into a coiled a cat’s claws. A member of the legume family the pod that unlike other Mesquites is persistent. The seed pods were ground into flour and used as a food pods are ground into flour that provides a good source. The tea made from the plant has calcium source. An isotonic solution of the beans antimicrobial properties. Usually found close to the makes a good eyewash for conjunctiva (pink eye). desert washes.

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Saguaro Cereus gigantia Century plant Agave Americana  To 50’  Leaves to 4’ / flower stalks to 20’  600’ to 3600’  3000’ to 6000’  Ivory flowers  White flowers The saguaro cactus is the indicator plant for the A native of northern Mexico, this agave is a Sonoran desert. If you see a saguaro you are most common landscape plant. This agave flowers at likely in the Sonoran. Seeds of the saguaro are high about forty-five years of age and gives the plant the in protein and were probably part of the food supply common name. As with most agaves the century prehistorically. Fruit of the saguaro were harvested plant is monocarpic (only blooms once). A source by the native people and used for jelly and of fiber for cordage etc. and the roots when boiled puddings. A ceremonial wine was made from make a soap substitute. saguaro fruit and was part of the rain/new years celebration for the native people. The saguaro blossom is the state flower of Arizona.

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Prickly pear Opuntia Tree Cholla Opuntia acanthocarpa engelmannii Jumping cactus Nopal Beavertail cactus  Shrub-like to 6’  500‘ to 3500’  Clumps to 2’ high / 6’ diameter  white or pink flowers  200’ to 4000’  yellow or orange flowers There are several varieties of cholla. This type of cactus developed cylindrical jointed stems, as Prickly pear cactus was an important food source opposed to their relatives the prickly pear which for the native people of the southwest. The fruits have a flat, pad shaped stem. Chollas reproduce and buds provided a vitamin C source. The cactus from these stems that often litter the ground pads (stems) were eaten raw or cooked and provide underneath the plant. Because these joints easily a calcium source. The inside of the stem contains attach themselves to pedestrians, the plant gets its chemicals that act in the same manner as Aloes. common name of jumping cactus. The cholla buds There are over thirty species of prickly pear in the are harvested then roasted and provide a good southwest. source of vitamin C.

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Creosote Bush Larrea tridentata Penstemon Penstemon parryi

Chaparral Parry’s penstemon Greasewood  To 4’  Shrub to 8’ – usually less  1500’ to 5000’  To 4000’  pink flowers  Yellow flower Parry’s penstemon is one of the spring perennials This resinous shrub is one of the characteristic that bloom with a pink tubular flower, very plants of the American deserts. The oils of the attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. There leaves provide protection from the deserts aridity are no recorded food uses found for this plant but, a and high ultraviolet light exposure. Many of these poultice of the leaves may help in tissue repair (for oils (30+) are volatile and are released into the slow healing wounds). Penstemons are good atmosphere when it rains. This characteristic odor choices for drought tolerant landscapes. is the smell of the desert when it rains and gives rise to the common name, Creosote. While you can’t get creosote from a Creosote Bush (it just smells like it), there are many medicinal uses for the plant. Pima tradition tells that the Creosote Bush was the first plant made by the creator. The plant is also used in native ceremonies.

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Ocotillo Fouquieria Desert Marigold Baileya splendens multiradiata

Coachwhip  To 2’  Below 5000’  Canes to 20’  Yellow flowers  Below 5000’  Red flowers Mostly an annual herb this plant does easily reseed itself. The yellow daisy flower is indicative of the A very distinctive plant of the desert bajadas The sunflower family. Desert Marigold may be toxic to Ocotillo is well protected by thorns but, is not a livestock if grazed on heavily. There are no member of the cactus family. The only other U.S. recorded medicinal or food uses found for this plant in this genus is the Boojum tree from the Baja plant. area. This plant often appears dead as it drops its leaves during dry periods. Bright red tubular flowers appear with adequate rain and are favorites of hummingbirds and butterflies. The long branches are cut at the base to be used for ramada roofs or to create living fences around family gardens.

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Desert Sunflower Geraea Mexican Petunia Ruellia canescens peninsularis

 To 2’  Shrub to 4’  Below 3000’  Below 4000’  Yellow flower  Purplish flower

An aromatic annual of the sunflower family, this A landscape plant introduced from Baja California. plant is attractive to many species of bees. The The purplish trumpet shaped flower blooms from seeds are a source of food for birds and rodents. spring to fall with adequate water. It tends to be an The leaves and flowers are boiled to produce a tea evergreen although it can drop its leaves in response and pain relieving wash for arthritis sufferers. to cold. There were no recorded medicinal or edible uses found for this plant.

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Mexican Palo Verde Parkinsonia Desert Tobacco Nicotiana trigonophylla aculeate Indian tobacco  Tree to 40’  To 4500’  Shrub to 3’  Yellow flowers  Below 6000’  White flower This palo verde is not a native although it is becoming naturalized in Arizona. The long leaf The fleshy (often sticky) leaves and white tubular stems with the small leaves gives this tree a willow flowers are identifying features of this plant. This look. The beans are edible as are the beans from the native tobacco is one of the species that was used in other two palo verdes. As the tree goes drought ceremonies by the native people. Tobacco is deciduous, it can be a messy tree in some landscape considered to be one of the most spiritual plants by situations. The Mexican palo verde has a much the Native Americans. As a medicine, tobacco is shorter lifespan than the two native species, lasting used as a poultice to reduce swellings and help only 50 years or so. relieve the pain. The leaves can be boiled and this water used as a natural insecticide.

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Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis Little Leaf Palo Verde Cercidium microphyllum  Tree to 20’  1000’ to 5000’ Yellow Palo Verde  Pink flower Foothills Palo Verde

Desert willow is a tree of the desert riparian areas.  Tree to 25’ Not a true willow (those are in the Salix genus) but,  500’ to 4000’ is willow like with its long leaves and drooping  yellow flower branches. The wood of this tree was used for basket material and for roofing of the vattos (ramadas). This native species of palo verde is found on the dry The plant is known as the “hiker’s aid” as powdered rocky hillsides (bajadas) of the low desert. The leaves or bark right from the tree will stop bleeding chlorophyll in the tree’s green bark not only and kill germs in minor cuts and scrapes. Fragrant accounts for its name but, also provides about 40% pink blossoms form throughout the summer but, the of the trees photosynthesis. Little leaf palo verdes tree does drop its leaves in the winter. often go drought deciduous in the hotter summer months. The beans are edible green or dried and are a favorite of javelinas and ground squirrels.

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Firecracker plant Justicia Red Gum Eucalyptus Eucalyptus camaldulensis spicigera Red Gum Mexican honeysuckle  Shrub / tree to 80’  Shrub to 4’  Below 5000’  Below 4000’  White catkin flower  Orange flowers There are over 700 species of Eucalyptus which are This Justicia is a landscape plant native to Mexico. native to Australia. They were introduced to The plant was probably introduced to Arizona from America for their rapid growth to be used for Texas. A hardy bloomer, the orange tubular flowers firewood and windbreaks. Neither application bloom in April until the first frost. In mild winters proved very efficient. Eucalyptus is used by the the plant may continue to bloom. The firecracker is Aboriginal people as a medicinal plant. Boil the a good drought tolerant plant for desert landscapes. leaves and add this water to your bath when you There were no recorded medicinal or edible uses have a cold. The oils released are good for found for this plant. relieving congestion. Most Eucalyptus are weak limbed giving them the name “widow makers” as large limbs often come crashing down for no reason. It is also one of the trees that shed its bark yearly making it a messy plant in the landscape.

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Fairy Duster Calliandra eriophylla Joshua tree Yucca brevifolia False mesquite  Tree size to 30’  Shrub to 4’  2000’ to 3500’  Below 5000’  White flowers  Pink flowers This yucca is the indicator plant of the Mojave This thornless, perennial shrub is an important desert. It is considered to be the largest yucca and browse plant for native animals. The pink flowers can live to be 300 years old. The leaves of the plant are very showy and account for the genus name can be used for baskets but, it is not the first choice. which means beautiful stamens. A member of the Early pioneers compared the humanlike form of the legume (Fabaceae) family the seeds may have been Joshua to the arms raised biblical prophet. There is gathered for food. There were no recorded a large stand of Joshua trees near Wickenburg, medicinal use found for this plant. Arizona.

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Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis Gray Thorn Ziziphus obtusifolia

Goatnut Condalia

 Shrub to 6’  Shrub to 10’  Below 5000’  1000’ to 5000’  Inconspicuous male or female flower  whitish green flowers

Jojoba, pronounced ho-ho-ba, is an important plant A very spiny branched shrub often found in the in the Southwest. It is a common browse plant for same places as lycium (wolfberry). The gray bark native fauna and native people gathered the seeds distinguishes it form wolfberry. The whitish green for food and medicine. The “bean” or seed forms tiny flowers give way to a purplish berry with very on the female plant and is about 50% lipid (liquid hard seeds. A favorite of the Gamble’s quail the wax). This wax is used in cosmetics, shampoos, native people also gathered the berries usually commercial polishes and waxes and as a high eating them raw. The roots of this shrub contain temperature industrial lubricant (for rocket engines). saponins and other compounds that when boiled can The green bean is good for sore throats and the be used as a soap substitute with antifungal mature bean acts as an appetite suppressant. The qualities. The thorns were used as an acupuncture beans are ready for harvest around summer treatment for sore or stiff joints. monsoon time.

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Hummingbird Bush Justicia californica Ironwood Olneya tesota

Desert Honeysuckle  Tree to 30’ Chuparosa  Below 2500’  Pink-white flowers  Shrub to 5’  Below 2500’ This member of the legume family can be identified  Red tubular flowers by the smooth gray bark especially on the tree limbs. Ironwood is a heavy dense wood that was Hummingbird bush is a colorful plant of the desert used for tool handles and projectile points. The washes and arroyos. The red tubular flower will wood is so dense that it sinks if placed in water. often bloom after each rain in the warmer months. Ironwoods prefer to be in a frost free area and have A favorite nectar source for butterflies and been known to live for 500 years. The seeds are hummingbirds (Chuparosa in Spanish), the flower is edible and when roasted taste a little like peanuts. edible. There were no recorded medicinal uses found for this plant. While red is the common color of the blossom in nature, orange and yellow varieties can be found in local nurseries.

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