TheThe OfficialOfficial GuideGuide

© 2016 Tohono Chul 1 2 Table of Contents

Introduction page 3

Heritage Our Past/Our Present page 5

Arts and Culture The “Heart” of Tohono Chul page 12

Education Living with the Desert page 19

Stewardship Living in the Desert page 25

Innovation Our Future page 35

2 for this natural desert habitat. Its location Introduction within existing migratory tracks provides a temporary home for many species of wild, Welcome to Tohono Chul native fauna. Thirty-eight species of birds where nature, art and culture make their permanent home here while an- connect! We’re in the Sonoran Desert, a other 57 migrant species visit seasonally. A highly diverse region with a variety of plants variety of reptiles and mammals, from gila and animals having remarkable survival skills monsters to gray fox, may be spotted on the adapted to an often inhospitable climate. In Park grounds. addition, here in our border region a confluence of cultures has interconnected Within these surroundings, Tohono Chul has with the natural environment, thus contrib- developed thematic displays using its col- uting to our distinctive regional character. lections to teach visitors about indigenous plants and animals, conservation, desert ecol- ogy and native cultures. We are the only The mission of Tohono Chul Park is organization in our region whose primary to enrich people's lives by connecting them focus is on these natural and cultural con- with the wonders of nature, art and culture nections, giving our visitors a unique per- in the Sonoran Desert region and inspiring spective on the Sonoran Desert. wise stewardship of the natural world. Our botanical collections consist primarily Tohono Chul is located in a sprawling urban of those plants native to our region or environment in one of the fastest growing adapted to the American Southwest. They cities in the United States. Residential hous- include more than 150 species of shrubs and ing, strip shopping centers, and non-native trees; 300 species of cacti and succulents; plants are quickly replacing the pristine and 50 species of wildflowers. In addition, desert. This loss of habitat makes the vul- we have the largest public collection of na- nerability of the desert even more obvious; tive Night-blooming Cereus (Peniocereus greggii) therefore our mission becomes even more in the United States! Moreover, visitors of- imperative. Our goal and purpose is to in- ten encounter the serendipitous — a bird spire everyone — visitors, community feeding its young; a lizard capturing its prey; members and, most importantly, children a rabbit scampering through the desert scrub — with the desire to learn how to live with — an opportunity to connect with the won- our desert home. We serve as a model for ders of nature. others to learn to be participant stewards of this fragile environment. Exploring the grounds you will encounter diverse exhibits such as the Ethnobotanical The site itself offers a dramatic setting for Garden, which displays some of the indig- our regional focus. Views of the majestic enous plants cultivated by Southwestern na- Santa Catalina Mountains form a backdrop tive peoples for food, medicine, and other

3 necessities of life; a re-circulating desert stream, which replicates the natural vegeta- one to 15 inches annually, most falling tion of Arizona’s riparian communities; the in winter and summer. Summer tempera- Geology Wall, which illustrates the geo- tures can reach over 110° and winters logic history of the nearby Santa Catalina are mild with only brief periods of freez- Mountains; our Desert Living Courtyard ing temperatures. The vegetation of filled with home landscaping ideas, which much of the Sonoran Desert is more var- promote native and arid-adapted plants in a ied than that of the other North Ameri- variety of design aesthetics; and, our Saguaro can deserts, with many trees and shrubs Discovery Trail where visitors can explore as well as large cacti and other succu- the life of the saguaro both through its cul- lents. tural connections to the Tohono O’odham and its botanical connections to the natural Tucson’s characteristic saguaro-palo verde history of the Sonoran Desert. plant communities place it within the Ari- zona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Tohono Chul’s changing indoor arts and cul- Desert, one of six fairly distinct regions. tural exhibitions are strongly community ori- ented, and feature community groups and The average annual rainfall at the weather artists of all ages. station at Tucson International Airport is 11 inches, though we have seen as little Our educational philosophy blends the eco- as five inches in a year and as much as 24 logical, cultural and artistic, distinguishing inches. Mt. Lemmon in the Santa us in the community. Our programs are de- Catalinas north of the city receives 30 signed to enable our audiences to reach a to 35 inches annually. better understanding of the relationships that shape the land — the complex interplay Our precipitation is bi-seasonal -- in the among the desert and its plants, animals and winter from December through March people. With this understanding comes a and in the summer from July through richer appreciation for the desert’s allure and early September. Winter rains come in- a heightened sense of the need to preserve termittently from cool low-pressure sys- its beauty and biodiversity. tems moving from the Pacific Ocean. Heavy snows can fall in the higher moun- tains and Tucson itself has been known to receive a light dusting every several THE SONORAN DESERT years. The majority of the rain falls dur- The Sonoran Desert is a subtropical ing the summer monsoon season. These desert. It lies in portions of Arizona and localized and often violent thunder- southeast California in the United storms can drop prodigious amounts of States, and Sonora and Baja California rain in a short time -- up to four inches! in Mexico. Precipitation ranges from

4 sports and traded Our Past as far as the Gulf of California for PREHISTORIC ORIGINS shells and parrot heritage feathers from the The recent history of the site rainforests of Cen- begins in the early 1920s when land that tral America. Rincon red-on-brown would eventually be part of Tohono Chul’s Archaeological AD 925-1000 current 49 acres was homesteaded by evidence of Ho- Tucsonans interested in raising cash crops hokam habitation on the Park site includes like citrus and dates. However, centuries isolated plainware sherds discovered along before, prehistoric native peoples lived in the arroyos on the southern edge of the this place. Situated on the outer edge of property and a major find uncovered during the alluvial fan that extends outward from the construction of what is now the Lomaki the base of Pusch Ridge in the Santa Catalina House in the late 1960s. Broken pieces of Mountains, this section of Arizona Upland red and buff decorated pottery indicate the was occupied by the Hohokam before the site was occupied consecutively through first millennium. three Hohokam cultural phases — the Rillito and the Early and Middle Rincon — between Hohokam is a AD 850 and 1150. Pima word mean- ing “all used up,” THE 20TH CENTURY no doubt a refer- ence to the fact In the 1920s, the entire northwest section that after almost a of Tucson — called the “thermal belt” be- thousand years cause of the foothills’ milder winter climate their culture col- Rincon polychrome — was considered ideal for growing frost- AD 1000-1100 lapsed and by sensitive citrus and date palms. Maurice Reid, 1450 they no longer lived in the Tucson father of Gene for whom Tucson’s Reid Park basin. These early farmers occupied the Salt, and Zoo are named, owned property from Gila and Santa Cruz River basins beginning Orange Grove Road to Ina Road and beyond about AD 450. Sophisticated agriculturists, and planted it with groves of citrus trees. they built irrigation canals, lived in villages He introduced black date palms and grape- of pithouses surrounding a central plaza, im- fruit to the property that would become ported from Mesoamerica the tradition of Tohono Chul; aerial photos of the 1940s building ballcourts and engaging in team clearly show the rows of trees south of the farming in Tucson Basin Hohokam disappear by 2100 BC 1450     Hohokam living on site Father Kino arrives AD 850-1150 1692 5 homestead rights. Seaney also sank a well FROST POCKETS & THERMAL BELTS near Magee and Northern streets and sup- plied water to several residents in the area. Have you ever noticed the drop in tem- At that time, utility lines did not extend perature while crossing a desert wash at north of the Rillito River, and roads in the night? Cold air, being heavier than warm air, tends to flow down mountain can- area were unpaved. yons and settle in low-lying areas, which results in a temperature inversion. These Maurice Reid, acting as realtor for Seaney, low-lying areas may be 10° colder at sold the future site of Tohono Chul to John night than surrounding areas and are T. deBlois Wack in 1937. Mr. Wack was an sometimes called “frost pockets.” The avid polo player from Santa Barbara and a lighter, warm air forms “thermal belts” in friend of the Reverend George Ferguson, areas with good air drainage. These ther- pastor of the newly consecrated St. Philip’s mal belts may be several degrees warmer in the Foothills Episcopal Church. Follow- than surrounding areas and much warmer ing an afternoon spent drinking mint juleps, than the frost pockets on a relatively still the Fergusons and young Gene Reid escorted night; strong winds, however, will break the Wacks around the property. Their ob- up this inversion layer. vious powers of persuasion resulted in the sale at a cost of $200 an acre — $16,000 for the 80-acre parcel. Later that year, Paul Exhibit House. At this time in Tucson’s his- Holton built the Wacks a Santa Fe style tory, not much thought was given to con- house (today’s Exhibit House) at a cost of serving a limited water supply and wells $60,000 based on the plans of Santa Barbara pumped precious groundwater to irrigate the architect Chester L. Carjola. During con- thirsty trees. For many years a thriving lo- struction, the adobe bricks for the 18” thick cal industry shipped Tucson’s citrus and dates outer walls were made on the premises and to other parts of the United States. Groves Ponderosa pine logs were brought down the of citrus trees remained even after Samuel winding back road from Mt. Lemmon to be W. Seaney subdivided the area in 1931, call- used for the living room beams. Adobe was ing it Catalina Citrus Estates. used not just for its aesthetic appeal. In the days before central air conditioning wise Seaney had homesteaded 640 acres in 1930 desert dwellers knew that adobe walls would and daughter Cornelia Seaney Lovitt remem- keep interiors cool during the heat of the bers spending weekends with her mother in summer, while maintaining warmth during a cabin off Magee Road to qualify for the

Tucson Presidio established Mexican Independence Gadsden Purchase 1775 1821 1854    Mission San Xavier del Bac War with Mexico 1783-1797 1848 6 father, Henry Wellington Wack, founder and first editor of Field and Stream, acted as house-sitters. By the end of World War II the home had ex- changed hands several times, passing to the Pierpont Davises of Boston, and then to the Wilson Campbells of Pitts- burgh. The Campbells in turn rented it during their ownership to Clifford Goldsmith, the man responsible for the famous radio series Henry Aldrich. His son, Barclay Goldsmith, remembers his father working on scripts in an office in today’s Exhibit House Museum Shop view of the pool, looking east toward the Santa Catalinas -- late 1940s or early 1950s and entertaining notables from New York. the winter. The house was also designed to take advantage of cooling breezes with Then, in 1948, Colonel Robert Bagnell, an French doors installed throughout. Finally, active board member of the Tucson Red a large concrete swimming pool, one of the first private pools in Tucson, was built with an unobstructed view of Pusch Ridge (the area is now the Gar- den for Children).

Shortly before completion of the house, power lines were strung and Oracle, a two-lane country road, was paved. Many older Tucsonans vividly remember visiting the property — a far distance from town in the 1940s — to swim or to pick some fruit.

The Wacks actually spent little time wooden gate leading to today’s Spanish Colonial Courtyard -- in Tucson. Gene Reid and Mr. Wack’s late 1940s or early 1950s

UofA established first homesteads in the area 1885 1920s      Railroad arrives in Tucson Arizona Statehood Tucson airport dedicated 1880 1912 1927 7 Cross and his wife Eugenia Sullivan Bagnell, moved into the empty main house (today’s both of St. Louis, bought the Wack’s 80-acre Exhibit House). parcel. With them came their butler, Levan Bell, who remembers picking grapefruit from THE FOUNDATIONS OF the orchard and taking the family’s Airedale TOHONO CHUL PARK to the veterinarian in town to have porcu- pine quills removed. Affectionately called The story of Tohono Chul begins in 1966 “Las Palmas” during the Bagnell’s tenure, the when its benefactors, Richard and Jean house was graced with a rose garden, a grass lawn and elegant visitors dining by candle- light. A FAMILY LEGACY The concept of preservation and exhi- The Bagnells found other uses for the prop- bition actually dates back to Richard erty too. Mrs. Bagnell donated a portion to Wilson’s great, great, great-grandfather the Catholic Diocese of Tucson to serve as Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827). the site for St. Odilia’s Catholic Church, vis- Saddler, watchmaker, silversmith, inven- ible today to the north of the Park. In 1963 tor and student of Benjamin West, Peale Mrs. Bagnell’s son, John Sullivan, built a was the most prominent portraitist of the home on ten acres on the western edge of Federal period and is credited with the the property. Designed by Lewis Hall, a stu- earliest-known portrait of George Wash- dent of noted Tucson architect Josias Joesler, ington (1772). In 1786 he founded the the charming hacienda-style home featured Peale Museum, an institution housed in a traditional zaguan and fountained courtyard. Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, in- The heavy arched doorway is modeled after tended for the study of natural law and a larger one that once would have admitted the display of natural history and tech- a horse and carriage to the privacy of a home’s nological objects. Considered to be the interior courtyard. Mrs. Sullivan remembers first major museum in the United States, summers spent sleeping on the roof of the its varied collections included Peale’s building to escape the heat of the day. It is paintings, Native American artifacts and now known as the “West House” and is the mounted specimens such as the first com- site of the Tohono Chul Garden Bistro. plete skeleton of an American mastodon. Thus it is appropriate for Richard and Colonel Bagnell passed away in 1965, two Jean Wilson to perpetuate this heritage years after his wife, and left the remainder of through Tohono Chul. the property to the Sullivan family who then

Catalina Citrus Estates Davis-Monthan AFB Wilsons buy “West House” 1931 1941 1966   Wacks build a house Bagnells purchase 80 acres 1937 1948 8 Wilson, purchased the Sullivan home and approached several times by developers seek- started piecing together patches of the ing to purchase the land for commercial de- desert that would form its core — ultimately velopment. They always refused. Jean Wil- owning 37 of the Wack’s original 80 acres. son told them, “I don’t want to sell the land. I don’t want it cemented over. I want to pre- The son of a Texas oilman, Richard Wilson serve it.” In fact, when Pima County con- is a geologist, trained at Yale and Stanford. demned a strip along the southern bound- With his wife Jean, he came to Tucson in ary of the property in order to widen Ina 1962 to teach at the University of Arizona. Road, Dick Wilson demanded that they His roots in the Southwest go much deeper, move every saguaro and replant it on their however, for there are strong family ties to adjacent property. the region, its land, its peoples and its cul- tures. Mr. Wilson’s uncle, Dr. Harold Colton, In 1979 Jean Wilson opened the Haunted founded the Museum of Northern Arizona, Bookshop on Northern Avenue along the Flagstaff, in 1926 as a means of displaying, eastern edge of the site. Once it was up and documenting and preserving the Native running, the Wilsons began planning their American crafts of the region. The Museum’s next project — a park. “At first we just went first curator, Dr. Colton’s wife and noted out and put down some lime to make a path painter Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, encour- and marked the names of some of the plants aged the Hopi and Navajo tribes to continue and bushes, but then it started to snowball.” their traditional arts and to develop new The path gradually grew into a loop trail, styles through the offer of exhibitions and meandering ½ mile into the surrounding cash prizes. Mr. Wilson’s mother, Suzanne desert. In 1980 they received a citation from Colton Wilson, was a collector of contem- the Tucson Audubon Society for saving the porary Southwest Native American arts. desert greenspace and opening it to the pub- Today, 65 pieces from her collection are part lic. of our permanent cultural collection. Motivated by a desire to preserve the In 1968 the Wilsons purchased from the Sonoran Desert they loved, they established Sullivan family the section containing the the non-profit Foundation for the Preserva- original 1937 Wack home. Though they tion of Natural Areas in the early 1980s. “We never lived there, the building was offered wanted to keep something natural in the to a succession of non-profit organizations middle of all the (surrounding) development as a halfway house or youth residence. It so that people could come easily for a few was during the 1970s that the couple was hours and get out of the traffic and learn

Wilsons buy Wack house Haunted Bookshop opens Tea Room opens 1968 1979 1987     Oro Valley incorporated Tohono Chul Park dedicated 1974 1985 9 something at the same time. It’s probably Today, sadly, both Richard and Jean Wilson contrary to what most people would do, but are gone. But, their commitment to the his- we feel it’s real important for people to have tory and the open spaces of the Southwest something like this.” The purpose of the or- lives on — in addition to founding Tohono ganization was to promote the conservation Chul, it is the Wilsons who delivered the of desert regions and to educate the public family property at Hart Prairie (Flagstaff) and about arid lands and responsible water use. Muleshoe Ranch (Willcox) into the protec- Over time, demonstration gardens, a re-cir- tive hands of the Nature Conservancy. culating stream, a geological re-creation of the Santa Catalina Mountains, ramadas and At the dedication ceremony in 1985, Rich- areas with special plantings of arid-adapted ard and Jean Wilson expressed their vision vegetation were developed. The Wacks’ for Tohono Chul: original 1937 stuccoed adobe house was care- fully renovated in 1984 to provide space for “We dedicate this park to those who come here, who, we changing art exhibits, a museum shop and hope, will not only admire and find comfort in the natu- administrative offices. Tohono Chul Park was ral beauty of the area, but will achieve greater apprecia- formally dedicated as a 37-acre desert pre- tion of the ways of conserving all our precious desert serve on April 19, 1985. The Wilsons region and obtain a greater understanding of the people deeded the property to the non-profit foun- native to these areas.” dation, Tohono Chul Park, Inc., in 1988.

In the spring of 1995 development again Our Present threatened Tohono Chul. An 11-acre par- Tohono Chul has evolved into a unique ur- cel abutting the property on the north was ban desert island devoted to fostering an slated for higher density rezoning and of- appreciation of the distinctive character of fered for sale. With the help of longtime this region. The Sonoran Desert is the most member John Maher, the Park was able to diverse desert of North America, with thou- acquire the property, establishing a memo- sands of native plants and hundreds of spe- rial to John’s late wife, Mary in 1996. cies of animals making their home in this rug- ged, yet fragile, environment. Seventeen The most recent addition came when the indigineous cultures live in the region, while much-loved Haunted Bookshop closed in a confluence of others, including Anglos, 1997. The Wilsons donated the land and Latinos, Chinese and Africans, have adopted building to Tohono Chul, adding the final this region as their own. The words “Tohono acre — then there were 49!

Performance Garden Maher addition 15th Anniversary 1992 1996 2000       Administration wing added Garden for Children Haunted Bookshop closes 1991 1994 1997 10 Chul” mean “desert corner,” and are taken featuring an array of arid-adapted plants and from the language of the Tohono O’odham, low-water landscaping techniques; the Eth- a desert-dwelling people renowned for their nobotanical Garden with crops grown by many uses of Sonoran plants and their abil- both indigenous populations and New ity to live in this harsh climate. World immigrants; the Sonoran Seasons Garden showcasing the five seasons of the Today Tohono Chul is a part of Oro Valley Arizona Upland; an Exhibit House featuring and encompasses a total of 49 acres and re- changing art and cultural displays appropri- tains much of its hacienda-style charm in the ate to our mission; and, a new Desert Palm face of booming urban sprawl just beyond Oasis which links us to the hidden palm can- its boundaries. Sensitive planning and de- yons of Sonora, Mexico. velopment have allowed for en- Tohono Chul’s hancements of extensive edu- the Park’s site cational pro- while preserv- grams under- ing its spectacu- score and lar natural set- complement ting and feeling the gardens of intimacy. and exhibits, The original while expand- three homes on ing upon them the property by relating have different them to the Southwest re- natural his- gional styles and tory, culture and botany of promote a dis- Ina Road/Paseo del Norte corner monument wall tinct sense of our region. place. Each has been refurbished and renovated for Park use Helping people learn to live with their desert while retaining its regional character — the home is the overreaching purpose of Tohono Wack’s 1937 home (Exhibit House),the Chul. The interdisciplinary approach we Sullivan’s 1963 home (Tohono Chul Garden take to achieve this goal reflects the rich- Bistro) and the Wilson’s Lomaki guest house, ness of this region’s natural environment and now used for classes, meetings and rentals. cultures. By teaching people about the in- terconnections between the natural environ- With an emphasis on the natural and cultural ment and cultural heritage we hope to in- aspects of the desert Southwest, the site now crease their appreciation of both, so that includes an extensive botanical collection they can become stewards of our precious with nature trails and exhibits; wildlife mi- desert region. gration trails; the Desert Living Courtyard 11 we find ourselves. The “Heart” The coldest region of the Sonoran Desert, of Tohono Chul the Arizona Upland is blessed with bi-an- arts & culture nual rainfall — fierce summer thunderstorms and gentler winter rains. We also have five seasons: fall, winter, spring, dry foresummer READING THE MAP and monsoon summer. The Garden puts the Let this guide enhance your visit to our spotlight on the star plants of each of those desert preserve. To orient yourself, seasons. please refer to the map on page 36 and to insure a safe and enjoyable visit The left fork of the Entry Path will take you to our desert: past the Desert Palm OasisOasis. Just six hours south of Tucson, along the east coast of the wear a hat, sunscreen and comfort- Gulf of California, pockets of native fan able walking shoes (close-toed) palms nestle in isolated mountain canyons. don’t forget a water bottle and be The fact that palm trees grow in the Sonoran sure to drink lots of water when it’s hot Desert is evidence of the region’s tropical Roving Docents are available on the origins long ago. grounds (look for the distinctive vests with our night-blooming cereus logo on Our Desert Palm the back) to answer your questions, or Oasis recreates the you can join one of our regularly sched- tropical forest of uled tours. one of these canyons — Cañón de Nacapule — The Entry Path just beyond Admissions and located in the the Entry RamadaRamada, offers a choice of walk- Sierra El Aguaje ways into the Park. The right fork leads visi- near the town of tors through the Succulent GardenGarden, an im- San Carlos, Sonora, posing collection of plants from both sides Mexico. Just ¾ of the Atlantic which demonstrate the adap- mile long and tive strategy of succulence, and the Mes- surrounded by sheer cliffs, Nacapule hosts quite BosqueBosque, ultimately arriving at the 285 species of plants, many found in few Overlook which boasts amazing views of the other places, including three species of fan southern portion of Tohono Chul. palms — Hesper Palm (Brahea brandegeei), Sonoran Palmetto (Sabal uresana) and Mexican Across from the Overlook, the Sonoran Sea- Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta). sons Garden tells the seasonal stories of the Arizona Upland, one of the six subdivisions Nacapule and other palm canyons in the of the Sonoran Desert and the one in which region are delicately balanced ecosystems 12 Continuing along the main pathway through Did you discover the rattlesnake encircling the Cactus CircleCircle, on your left you will see the Sundial PlazaPlaza? How about checking a pair of modern petroglyph-covered “news- your watch against our innovative “horizon- paper” rocks by local artist John Palacio who tal heliochronometer?” A sundial tracks the used Hohokam-inspired designs. apparent movement of the sun around the earth’s celestial pole by casting a shadow Petroglyphs are de- onto a surface marked by hour and minute signs chipped into lines. The gnomon (diagonal brass cable) the dark surface of serves as an axis about which the sun appears desert boulders by to rotate. Carved of Coconino sandstone pecking, scraping or and donated by John L. Carmichael, Jr., our grinding. This thin, sundial was designed specifically for Tucson’s dark, hard, glossy latitude and longitude (Mountain Standard Picture Rocks sundancers, Tucson Mountains coating that accu- Time). If the appropriate number from the mulates on rock sur- Equation of Time correction graph is added faces after long exposure to the elements is or subtracted from the sundial’s reading it is called desert varnishvarnish. Designs are pecked accurate to within a minute. into the varnish, revealing the underlying lighter colored rock beneath. Shading the Plaza is a canopy of mesquite trees It is believed that petroglyphs are not a lan- (Prosopis velutina), which pro- guage like hieroglyphics; nor are they sim- vides food, in the form of ply doodles. Anthropomorphic (human-like) naturally sweet seedpods, figures, depicted dancing or elaborately for people and animals. dressed, may represent ceremonial events; verdin The trees’ spring blossoms Debbie Jensen, artist others may be deities, mythical beings or are visited by bees and a va- shamans. It is nearly impossible to decipher riety of birds and other insects. Cardinals the exact meanings of any of the etchings. and verdins can be found nesting in the branches. The dried wood has been used for building materials for centuries. Next time you plan a barbecue and want to impart a distinctive mesquite flavor to your meat, try tossing a handful of dampened seedpods on the coals instead of mesquite wood chips that are not as renewable a resource.

At the south end of the Plaza you will see two of the five species of the green-barked trees known as palo verde (Spanish for “green stick”) found growing in the Park. The group heliochronometer by John Carmichael

13 region and books on the Southwest. Tohono desert spiny lizard Chul members receive a 10% discount on Paul Miller, artist purchases. Among the plantings directly in front of the Shop is the elusive boojum (Fouquieria columnaris), cousin to our local oco- LIZARDS ON THE SIDE tillo (F. splendens). Native to north central Baja The Plaza is also a great place for lizard- California, these peculiar trees look some- watching. The big ones that take their thing like an upside-down carrot. time moving out of your way are desert spiny lizards. You will find them doing The Exhibit House (1937) contains two gal- “push-ups” to attract mates, to appear leries that feature changing displays of tradi- even more intimidating, or just to raise tional and contemporary art — paintings, themselves off the hot ground. The slen- sculpture and folk arts. Our exhibitions also der ones with the very long tails are address environmental concerns affecting the whiptail lizards and the shy, delicate Sonoran Desert and the Southwest. ones with the black-and-white striped tails are appropriately called zebra-tailed The North PatioPatio, located behind the Exhibit lizardslizards. These little critters will run just House, is used for special events such as art- ahead of you, perch on a convenient rock ists receptions. Nearby is a handbuilt rock and, curling it over their backs, wag their water feature and a bench for relaxing and tails like a dog. Why? Well, just in case watching the local wildlife. you’re a predator you might be fooled into grabbing for that detachable tail, Administrative Offices are open Monday allowing the lizard to live another day. through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. just south of the sundial are blue palo verdes Relax on a bench under the shade of an iron- (Cercidium floridum) distinguished by their blu- wood tree (Olneya tesota) in the Spanish Co- ish tone and larger leaves. Directly across lonial Courtyard and enjoy this mini-oasis. from them to the east it is the foothill palo A Xeriscape® landscape incorporates a ma- verde (Cercidium microphylum) with a yellow- jority of low water use plants while allowing green cast and tiny leaves. for lush plantings requiring more water closer to buildings and living spaces. These oases The Murphey Foundation Children’s provide cooling environments where people RamadaRamada, gathering site for school field trips, gather, another illustration of wise desert liv- it also houses wheelchair accessible ing. restrooms and drinking fountains. The Alice Y. Holsclaw Performance Gar- A portion of the site’s original home now den, shaded by a grove of feathery sweet aca- provides space for one of the Park’s two gift cia trees (Acacia smallii), is planted with mealy shops. La Galeria specializes in traditional cup sage, butterfly bush and salvias and is a Native American crafts, unique folk art of the great spot for some impromptu birdwatching. 14 Humingbirds gravitate to the salvias and phainopepla can be found in the mistletoe WHAT’S BUGGING YOU? clumps in the acacia trees. The Garden’s Be honest, most of us harbor an intense stage provides the setting for concerts and dislike for insects. Consider, however, special events like our annual Holiday Nights that they may be pests only from our celebration held each winter. The garden point of view. We are both just trying may also be rented for weddings or other to survive, in need of food and shelter. ceremonies. Sometimes we may actually compete with one another for these resources, or become resources ourselves!

No other group of animals is as diverse, as abundant or as successful in almost every habitat on earth. In fact, arthropods (invertebrates with seg- mented bodies and jointed limbs, includ- ing arachnids, crustaceans and insects) account for approximately 99.5% of all animal species and yet only about 1% can really be considered pests! Native American flutist Vince Redhouse performs The vast majority are extremely valuable Not just for children, the Bank of America for insect products (like silk and honey), Garden for Children captures imaginations medical research, biological control, and provides opportunities for creative learn- decomposition, food for other species ing and discovery. Young and old alike can (including man) and pollinaton. enjoy the private spaces and hidden surprises — from the play- In fact, it is estimated that 90% of all ful stream with its flowering plants depend on animal pol- fish boats to whim- linators to help them reproduce and that sical birdhouse — includes about 35% of the world’s food and make their crops — consider that one bite in three own connections at the dinner table depends on animal with nature. pollinators and pollinator populations Please, for your around the world are in decline due to health and safety, pollution, pesticides, disease and worst do not bathe in, of all, habitat destruction. stand in or drink from the water in the stream or tarantula pools. copper saguaro and owl Anne E. Gondor, artist 15 Plants are utilized by people in many ways elevation wild foods like acorns and piñones. — as food, medicine and materials as well as a source of cultural identity. The study of SAVORY SOUTHWESTERN FAVORITES this relationship between plants and people is known as ethnobotany. The Ethnobotani- No doubt some of the permanent plantings cal Garden displays plants used today and in the Garden will be familiar to many gar- in the past by the native peoples of the deners or cooks, while others may seem rela- Southwest. These plants may be wild, culti- tively exotic. These are plants utilized by vated (purposefully grown), domesticated Native Americans in the area, though not (adapted to be more useful), or introduced necessarily cultivated by them. (The num- (brought to the New World by Spanish or bers refer to the map on page 17.) Europe- other European settlers). The emphasis in ans who relished their sweet, fleshy this Garden is on plants cultivated during fruits brought edible figs (1) and date palms the late Span- (3) to this area from the Mediterranean. Even ish Colonial in the age of synthetic dyes, Mayo dye in- period in digo (2) is still grown by the Mayo of southern Ari- Navajoa, Sonora, for the beautiful blue dye zona and made from its leaves and twigs. Also called Sonora, wild rhubarb, cañigre (4) is typically found Mexico. The growing along watercourses. The stalks of Garden serves the leaves can be used as a substitute for tra- as an educa- ditional rhubarb in making pies. The leaves tional display can be baked or roasted for greens and the root contains tannic acid and produces a and a grow- amaranth, sunflowers, squash and brown dye. The fiery chiltepin (5) is con- out field. Let- watermelon in the summer garden sidered the mother of all chiles, the genetic ting our crops ancestor of all domesticated chiles and bell go to seed instead of being eaten replen- peppers. The pea-sized red fruit may be ishes and keeps viable supplies of valuable HOT but birds relish them. Chiltepines seeds. All the crops are varieties adapted to grow naturally in the canyons of southern the special growing conditions of this re- Arizona and northern Mexico. The plants gion — heat, drought and alkaline soil. Be- in the Garden were grown from seed col- cause of their special adaptations these an- lected in the canyons of the Baboquivari cient crops are a major source of genetic Mountains on the Tohono O’odham Reser- material for new varieties. The garden’s vation. Chia (6) is familiar to many for the plantings are rotated twice a year (summer is ubiquitous “chia pet” craze of a decade or so the season for mostly native crops and win- ago. Actually, the seeds of the chia are high ter, for crops from the Old World). Prior to in protein and oil and when toasted and the introduction of such cool season crops soaked in water they become a thick, high the indigenous Hohokam and O’odham fiber drink popular with the Pimans. The moved into the mountains and foothills dur- wolfberry (7) produces large numbers of ing the winter to hunt and collect higher 16 10 11 ARDEN ARDEN ARDEN ARDEN ARDEN 8 G G G G G area > area > area > area > area > compost compost compost compost compost THNOBOTANICAL THNOBOTANICAL THNOBOTANICAL THNOBOTANICAL THNOBOTANICAL E E E E E 13 7 6 14 15 4 1 < cistern < cistern < cistern < cistern < cistern

9 3 2 12 see garden labels for information on changing seasonal plantings see garden labels for information on changing seasonal plantings see garden labels for information on changing seasonal plantings see garden labels for information on changing seasonal plantings see garden labels for information on changing seasonal plantings

17 will be creosote (11), the “drugstore of the desert.” This fragrant shrub has been used to treat many ills, from upset stomachs to arthritis to insect bites. Its effectiveness in dissolving kidney stones, as a fungicide, as an analgesic and in controlling cancer cells is currently under study. One of the three major basketry materials (including yucca and devil’s claw), beargrass (12) is used by the Tohono O’odham and other southwestern tribes to form the inner bundle (warp) of coiled baskets. Its leaves are dried in the

COMPOSTING Yard trimmings and kitchen scraps can be transformed into nutrients for your visitors and volunteers join in a fall harvest plants and amendments for your soil rather than taking up space in landfills. small, slightly bitter, juicy berries. A favor- Compost is decomposed organic mate- ite with birds and other desert critters, the rial such as plants, leaves, stems and veg- berries are also collected by humans. The etable peelings. With the help of bac- edible berries of the squawbush (8), a na- teria, fungi, or earth worms gardeners tive of the Hopi mesas, are used as a color speed up this natural process. Be careful stabilizer in dyeing wool. The twigs are used not to include any animal products and in basket weaving and are burned as one of leave out weedy plants whose roots and the four kiva fuels. Wild cotton (9) is nearly seeds could spread to your garden. To fiberless and there is no archaeological evi- begin, choose a location outdoors for dence that it was ever grown by the Pimans your compost pile. Shred all material for lint. Yet this wild shrub has been used by into pieces 4” or smaller. Alternate lay- plant breeders to improve the lint strength ers in your pile of “wet” (green and moist) and “dry” (brown and dry) material. Make of domesticated short staple cotton, another certain you bury food waste to avoid example of an apparently useless wild plant drawing flies. Keep the pile moist and serving as a valuable resource in plant turn it frequently to allow the oxygen genetics. Four-wing saltbush (10) is also to penetrate. Here in the Garden we common around Hopi villages. It is another keep an active compost pile behind the of the kiva fuels, and it is also used in making north gate, and over in the Desert Liv- paho (prayer sticks) and for its ashes, which ing Courtyard’s Utility Graden, we have help intensify the blue color of piki bread. a rotating bin, perfect for those with small After a summer rain the desert smells like...? spaces. Ask any longtime resident and the answer 18 sun, then split into narrow strands and se- With the disappearance of riparian areas dur- ing the last century, beargrass and yucca have Living with replaced the traditional, higher quality wil- low, sumac and cattail formerly used in bas- the Desert ketry. Used by indigenous peoples long be- education fore early settlers moved west, Mormon tea Meant for the slightly more adventuresome, (13) is a medicinal (diuretic) and a sipping the Hallowell Desert View Trail meanders tea. It has also been used to control aller- through a beautiful, relatively undisturbed gies and as a decongestant. The branches quadrant of Tohono Chul. Approximately produce a rose tan dye. Brittlebush (14) is 1/2 mile in length, the trail does not meet also known as incienso, named for the golden ADA standards and is therefore not wheel- sap that oozes from its stems. Burned, the chair accessible but it is a favorite of birders sap produces a fragrant incense, or it can be and those looking for the Sonoran Desert in made into varnish or glue. Tucsonans are its more natural state. Look for nature- and most familiar with brittlebush as the bounti- desert-inspired quotes inscribed on sand- ful yellow wildflower that graces the hillsides stone markers along the trail. and roadways around the city in the spring. Jojoba (15) or goatnut, occurs naturally only Love me or hate me, the desert seems to say, this is in the Sonoran Desert. Everyone has tried what I am and this is what I shall remain. jojoba in shampoos or skin lotions but its Joseph Wood Krutch seeds also produce fine, high quality oil that can replace sperm whale oil in commercial Bobcats, coyotes and javelina traverse the applications. dry washes in this area too, and if you’re lucky, you just might see one! Along the trail you WATER HARVESTING will also find two shaded ramadas with drink- The underground cistern, located be- ing fountains. neath the date palms, is filled with rain- water collected from the roof of the Ex- hibit House. The water is used to Close your eyes and you might be able to supplement irrigation needs for the Eth- visualize the citrus trees that once occupied nobotanical Garden. Water harvesting the space now covered by this Cholla For- on a large scale was used to grow crops estest. Also known as chain fruit cholla, a jump- by the indigenous peoples of the South- ing cholla doesn’t really jump. Its stems, west. Washes and arroyos were diverted loosely attached to the plant, are densely to irrigate fields in what is called ak-chin covered with barbed spines. Barely brush- farming. Today, homeowners can use ing against the plant can detach a whole sec- simple techniques when designing their tion — making the hapless human or desert own landscapes to capture rainwater run- creature jump! However, pack rats find the off that would otherwise be lost. Check detached stems perfect protective building out the SIN AGUA Garden for ideas! blocks for their middens.

19 The Cholla Forest cubic feet of water – equivalent to 40" of is an excellent rainfall a year! The Garden stores bird-watching spot. approximately 8,000 cubic feet of water at Keep an eye out one time and it takes from 5-6 hours to an for cactus wrens entire day for a full plot (8"-9" of water) to and curve-billed empty. cactus wren thrashers who pre- Debbie Jensen, artist fer cholla for their Rainwater harvesting captures rain and uses nest sites. The cac- it close to where it falls, or stores it for future tus wren, state bird of Arizona, builds an elon- application. The cheapest place to collect gated, football-shaped nest with the open- rainwater is in your landscape – slowing the ing at one end. The thrasher, on the other flow of runoff to allow it to soak into the hand, builds a twiggy, bowl-shaped structure. ground where plants can make use of it. The use of harvested rainwater reduces erosion Sin agua may be Spanish for “without water,” and flooding, salt accumulation in the soil, but it doesn’t really mean that in this case. utility bills and our dependence on Instead, it is the efficient and sustainable use groundwater. of renewable water! The SIN AGUA Gar- den channels and delivers rainwater runoff from the adjacent Education Center park- ing lot to demonstrate water harvesting and the use of native and adapted plants in a land- scape that uses little or no supplemental groundwater.

If you are lucky enough to visit during a rain event, you will see how this garden “works.” Individual plots are defined by berms, contoured mounds of earth that contain or direct the flow of surface runoff allowing SIN AGUA on a rainy, winter day sediments to settle and water to soak in. Sluice gates in the channel along the Even the simplest methods of water northern perimeter are opened manually to harvesting, like installing plants under the direct the water’s flow to the driest plots first. drip line of a roof or using porous pavement The slope of each plot has been calculated materials, can produce immediate results. to allow for surface water to flow from one Next time it rains, watch which way the to the next. Excess runoff is directed into water flows across your property. Determine the surrounding natural desert. where a berm or channel would slow the flow and spread the water out, allowing it to Assuming an annual rainfall of 12" (Tucson’s percolate into the ground; don’t forget to average), the runoff yield is over 37,000 allow for extra runoff during a major storm 20 event with a spillway for overflow. Raised A central planter in the Demonstration Gar- berms can double as pathways and provide dens features plants native to Central additional planting areas for species needing SonoraSonora. Many of the species are frost sensi- less water. tive and must be protected when tempera- tures dip below freezing. Keep in mind, any collection system should be large enough to hold the runoff from the On the north side of the Gardens, situated heaviest storm you can expect. From a 50’ x next to a cooling grotto is the Recognition 50’ roof you can expect 18,700 gallons of RamadaRamada. Handbuilt of lodge pole pine with runoff in a year (assuming 100% runoff). A a saguaro rib roof held in place with carved single monsoon storm that drops 2" of rain eucalyptus wood pins, the Ramada shades on your house could result in 3,000 gallons hand-painted commemorative tiles that of water! honor or memorialize family and friends. A donation to Tohono Chul in someone’s name Follow the trail past the SIN AGUA Garden can be used to add to this wall of memories. and you might notice that the vegetation This peaceful section of the Demonstration resembles that of the lower Rio Grande Val- Gardens is also available for wedding and ley of southern Texas and adjacent Mexico, other ceremonies. a semi-arid land averaging about 15-20 inches of rain a year. Termed Tamaulipan ThornscrubThornscrub, the vegetation of this region is characterized by numerous, multi-stemmed, small-leaved, spiny shrubs; small trees; cacti; and yuccas. Compare this planting with na- tive Sonoran Desert vegetation in and around Tucson. Some of the labeled plants, such as desert hackberry (Celtis pallida), catclaw acacia (Acacia greggii) and desert Christmas cactus (Opuntia leptocaulis) are na- tive to this area. Recognition Ramada The Barbara Kennard Present Demonstra- tion Gardens displays appropriate landscape Unique in all of Tucson, if not the world, is plants and hardscape materials to provide the Geology Wall exhibit. The vision of ideas for homeowners. The soothing sounds Park founder Richard Wilson, a University of flowing water are everywhere in the Gar- of Arizona geology professor, it was inspired den; one unique water feature allows cascad- by the geologic formation fireplace by Mary ing water to hopscotch from one strategi- Jane Colter in the Bright Angel Lodge at cally placed pot to another down the face of the Grand Canyon, a scale model of the ge- an adobe-plastered wall. ology of the Canyon from rim to river.

21 Completed in 1989, the Park’s Wall was de- signed and built by geologist Doug Shakel, A CALENDAR FOR THE AGES with the help of Toby Wright. To understand the earth’s geologic life story, scientists use a chart called a The 55- geologic column to represent the foot various phases of the planet’s semi- development. Starting at the bottom, circular the oldest time period is the Wall Precambrian beginning when the earth consists coalesced about 4.5 billion years ago of several and lasting until the Paleozoic Era, 542 hundred million years ago (mya). The rock Precambrian represents about 87% of specimens the earth’s history; using a familiar collected from more than two dozen calendar analogy, it began January 1 and geologic formations in the 9,000-foot Santa lasted until November 18. The Catalina Mountains, visible just over the top Paleozoic Era, when multi-cellular life of the Wall. Shakel and Wright spent three began to flourish, lasted from 542 mya years gathering the specimens and building until 251 mya or from November 18 to the Wall to illustrate the geologic story of December 12. Next up was the Southern Arizona. Mesozoic Era, known as the Age of Reptiles. It lasted from 251 mya until The Wall in front of you represents a vertical about 65 mya or from December 12 to slice of geologic time, cut through Tucson’s 26. We currently live in the most Santa Catalina Mountains from north to recent Era, the Cenozoic, which began south. As you walk along the Geology Wall on December 26. This is the age of “new from left to right, you are literally strolling life” when mammals came into their own; through nearly two billion years of earth’s modern humans, on the other hand, history. You would have to hike more than have only been around since about 30 miles through the Catalinas to see the 11:48pm on December 31. same rock formations.

In general, the rocks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, and the Wall, become younger as you continue walking south. Tucson is built on the youngest rocks, displayed on the far right; they are only 10 to 20 million years old. The oldest rocks, on the far left, are found north of the Catalinas near the town of Oracle; they are about 1.8 billion years old! 22 The Propagation Greenhouse is only open You are now entering the Riparian Habitat, to the public during our twice yearly plant a re-creation of an Arizona riparian com- sales (March and October). The rest of the munity, a diverse association of plants and year, staff and volunteers are busy selecting animals that live on the banks of the state’s and propagating little known or rivers and streams. Our version displays some underutilized native and arid-adapted land- of what you might find in Sycamore Canyo, scape plants to introduce them to local land- 50 miles south in the Atascosa Mountains at scape designers and the general public. By 4,000 ft. creating a demand for a broader palette of appropriate water conserving plants, more The word ripar- species will become available through com- ian (from the mercial nurseries and backyard landscapes Latin ripa, will take on an entirely new regional char- meaning shore acter. or bank) was once only fa- The low-walled Tortoise Enclosure is the miliar to biolo- home of several Sonoran Desert tortoises. gists and natu- The largest native turtle in Arizona, they ralists but in re- grow continuously cent years the throughout their public has been lifetimes — adults made more ranging up to 13 aware of the ex- inches long and traordinary im- weighing 16 portance of streamside plantings replicate desert pounds. With a life Southwest ri- riparian habitats expectancy of 50 desert tortoise parian communities to native wildlife. It is years or more, the Paul Miller, artist estimated that roughly half of all breeding reptiles are gener- birds in the deserts and grasslands of the ally active from April through October. You Southwest nest exclusively in riparian habi- may have to look carefully to spot them, how- tats. Similar numbers are emerging with re- ever, since they seek the shade when it gets gard to the region’s amphibians, reptiles and too hot and will hibernate when cold mammals. Given the number of species de- weather sets in. pendent on these areas, it is astonishing to note that riparian communities cover much Desert tortoise populations have declined in less than one percent of the region’s total recent years due to respiratory diseases, ille- land mass! gal collections practices and changes in their habitat brought by development and in- Arizona ash (Fraxinus velutina) is often called creased livestock grazing. Tortoises are pro- velvet ash because its leaves are covered with tected by state law and it is illegal to re- fine hairs. In the fall the leaves turn a bril- move one from the wild.

23 liant yellow and light up the canyons across live young, the Topminnow favors pools and the Southwest. Inconspicuous flowers ap- slow moving waters where it feeds on aquatic pear in the spring followed by winged fruits plants and small animals that are scattered by the wind. Arizona sy- such as mosquito larvae camore (Platanus wrightii) is easy to recognize and other small fish. In even in winter, when the distinctive sharp- the fall of 1991 Tohono female Gila topminnow lobed leaves have fallen, because of its beau- Chul introduced this Paul Miller, artist tiful white bark and angular branches. Sy- population into the camores are among the hardiest of riparian stream as part of a cooperative breeding pro- trees, resprouting readily after losing entire gram with Arizona Game trunks in floods. Their tenacious roots wrap and Fish that seeks to pre- around boulders in rocky streambeds, slow- serve species diversity anf ing erosion. Arizona black walnut (Juglans male Gila topminnow for reintroduction to the major) is noted for its edible fruits, and for Paul Miller, artist wild. the fact that its name in Spanish (nogal[es]) is the name of a well-known border town to the south. RIPARIAN DIVERSITY From a bird’s eye view, southern Arizona’s Canyon grape (Vitis arizonica) is a true grape riparian communities appear as ribbons and a distant relative of Old World of green meandering through the brown winemaking varieties. Its small, nearly black desert. Wherever water collects, fruits are edible. Though not strictly a ri- whether a perennial stream at the bot- parian species, hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa) also tom of a canyon or an ephemeral pool grows on rocky canyon slopes. Some cul- in a seasonally flooded dry arroyo, there tures around the world use the winged fruits you will find the kinds of trees and shrubs as a substitute for hops in making beer. Other that need more water than the desert can parts of the plant are poisonous, however, provide. and have been used to stun fish in order to catch them. There are many reasons for the remark- able diversity of wildlife in riparian habi- Living in the stream itself is a population of tats. The presence of aboveground Gila Topminnows (Poeciliopsis occidentalis), drinking water is a magnet, however the once the most abundant fish in the Gila River water available under the ground may be basin of central Arizona and southwestern even more important. It means a greater New Mexico. It is now listed as an endan- concentration of vegetation and plant- gered species due to competition from a eating insects. Tall trees such as sy- closely related species, the mosquitofish. camores, smaller trees such as mesquites, Loss of habitat as a result of the construction fallen tree limbs, shrubs, grasses and herbs of new dams and the over-utilization of sur- provide a great variety of breeding, feed- face waters has also inhibited population ing and escape situations, accommodat growth. The only fish in Arizona to bear 24 3 ing a diversity of animal lifestyles. Ri- Living in parian communities are also important corridors for the movement of wildlife the Desert through the surrounding deserts. stewardship prickly pear Gallery forests of Arizona willows and A number of species of cacti Fremont cottonwoods once lined the are planted along the trail to the Desert Liv- banks of many valley-bottom rivers and ing Courtyard. Members of the genus Opun- streams, but no longer. Their reproduc- tia, which also includes the cholla cacti, tion is an example of the sensitivity of prickly pears are distinguishable from the many riparian species to ecological chollas by their flattened stem sections called change. Both trees release cottony seeds pads. For this reason they are also called in the spring. To sprout, the seeds must Playtopuntias. Opuntias are characterized by fall on moist sandbars recently exposed the presence of clusters of easily detached, by receding waters. Man-made dams fre- fine, quently degrade downstream riparian barbed communities by changing seasonal spines streamflow patterns. known as glochids. Urbanization, falling water tables, over- Some grazing by cattle and a changing climate prickly have all contributed to the degradation pear and loss of riparian communities through- cacti out Arizona. Today no more than 10% such as of Arizona’s riparian habitats exist in any- bunny harvesting prickly pear fruit with wah’o ears and thing resembling their original condi- (saguaro rib tongs) tions. Those that remain are among the beaver- most precious treasures in Arizona’s natu- tail are exclusively covered with glochids, ral heritage. giving them a soft look. Anyone having had the misfortune to encounter one up close will warn you that appearances can be de- The Demonstration Garden Ramada offers ceiving! a soothing escape from the noise and con- gestion of the surrounding city. The relax- Peak bloom time is April-May when plants ing sounds of running water and birdcalls pro- feature lemon yellow to pink to red flowers. vide a calming backdrop for a quiet, private The young pads of the cactus, called nopales, moment. The Ramada itself, with its Mexi- can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. High can tile accents and beehive fireplace, is a in calcium and vitamin C, the fleshy fruits, creative model that visitors can adapt to called tunas, are very sweet and juicy. Gath- their own home landscape. ered in late summer the reddish-purple fruit is cleaned of its spines and eaten fresh, or 25 the juice is strained for making jellies, cool- Cholla cacti (pronounced CHOY-ya), close ing drinks or sorbet. The ripe fruits also pro- relatives of the prickly pear, differ by having duce a soft pink dye. The natural pectin in cylindrical, tubercle-covered stems -- the fruits has been helpful in controlling dia- Cylindropuntia. There are about 45 species of betes. By the way, that red or purple tinge chollas distributed from the Southwest to that may appear on some opuntias is a sign of central Mexico. They are well represented stress due to cold or drought. in the Sonoran Desert with six species be- ing native to Tohono Chul. Chollas range in size from low mat-forming types to 15- DESERT CLIMATE foot trees. They include such plants as the Deserts, and the vast areas of arid grass- not-so-cuddly teddy bear and the infamous lands and scrublands that often border jumping cholla. Chollas and prickly pears them, cover about 30% of the earth’s land grow easily from detached stems. Cholla area. A desert is defined as a region that spines are covered with papery sheaths, of- receives less than 10 inches of rain per ten showy and bright, contributing to the year. However, climate, soil, topogra- plant’s overall coloration. These protective phy and vegetation are all considered spines are probably the reason these cacti when defining a region. Arid climates are favorite nesting sites for cactus wrens and have at least one thing in common -- the curve-billed thrashers. rate at which moisture evaporates (evapo- transpiration) exceeds rainfall (precipi- In March, after a long winter without fresh tation). Evapotranspiration is the total food, the Tohono O’odham look forward to water loss from an area, through evapo- spring and readily harvest the first available ration from the soil and through transpi- green vegetable, the cholla. Picked before ration of water vapor from plants. High they bloom, the buds of the cholla cactus temperatures, low humidity and wind are rich in calcium — one tablespoonful is increase the rate of evapotranspiration. Many plants that are not adapted to arid environments wilt and die on a hot, dry, windy day, even if growing in good, con- tinuously damp soil.

A number of factors or combination of factors can produce a desert. The world’s great deserts occur in the horse latitudes (about 30° north and south of the equa- tor) and are sometimes called trade wind or subtropical deserts. The deserts of Mexico and the Southwest United States are found at this latitude. jumping cholla Debbie Jensen, artist 26 equivalent to eight ounces of milk! Harvested Barrio Garden — a small gardener’s garden with tongs made of saguaro ribs (wah’o), the reflecting a traditional sense of place where buds are cleaned of their spines and then family heritage guides the growing of plants cooked. They can be eaten as a vegetable, that nurture both body and spirit. added to salads, soups or stews, or sun dried and stored for future use. The flowers, when Container Garden — suits the homeowner they open, range from yellow to green, rust and plant lover with limited space, where to bronze and orange to magenta. Jumping containers provide alternatives to in-ground cholla blooms each year, but seldom sets vi- plantings. able seed. Instead, it develops chains of fruit that eventually fall off and form new Moorish Garden — plants — thus its other common name, chain reflects the sensual fruit cholla. tranquility of a shaded garden where ceramic The Cargill and tiles and wall stenciling Bradley Families reference traditional Desert Living elements of desert Courtyard presents gardens from Spain visitors with consci- and overcome the entious alternatives limitations of long dry to use when choos- seasons when plants are not in bloom. ing to “garden where we live.” The Xeriscape™ Garden — demonstrates the Courtyard offers classic “zone” principles of oasis, transition, homeowners new and dry/desert by blending the space into and creative ideas the surrounding landscapes. for using water-conserving plants in livable landscapes, combing color, texture and func- Wildlife Garden — a riparian habitat in a tion to provide take-home ideas for outdoor rocky canyon incorporates a “natural” water living spaces that can be easily reproduced. feature that is home to a growing population of endangered native fish, and a variety of Divided into ten distinct garden vignettes, plant species attractive to a diversity of areas of the Courtyard feature different wildlife. southwest regional themes, from cacti, suc- culents and annuals in colorful pots, to a Dry Shade Garden — the most challenging “natural” landscape that attracts native wild- of gardens to design where many native life. We also recreated garden styles from plants actually thrive in full sun. other places with similar climates, such as the Moorish gardens of old Spain or the color- Winter/Summer Garden — plants that ful outdoor living spaces of Mexico. bloom in either of Tucson’s most extreme

27 seasons – the cold of winter or the heat of summer. Desert Pupfish

Meditation Garden — inspired by the Thriving in the pond in the Wildlife simplicity of a Zen garden, demonstrates that Garden is another native fish, the even a tiny space can become a peaceful Desert Pupfish refuge. ( Cyprinodon macularis). Native Outdoor Living Garden — combines to Arizona, Baja California and architecture and plants to create an informal, male pupfish comfortable and adaptable sense of place that Sonora, Mexico, Paul Miller, artist is inviting for year-round outdoor family and the Salton living. Creative design decisions can Sea area of California, the Pupfish is an introduce shade, cooling, privacy, and even endangered species. Once common, passive water harvesting to a typical tract it has been preyed upon and out-com- home. peted by non-native baitfish released into its desert riparian habitats. These Last but not least, the fish are also part of a captive breeding Utility Garden — program to help save the population of demonstrates Pupfish indigenous to Quitoboquito gardening basics from Springs in Organ Pipe National Monu- tool storage to ment. composting and from low tech water The Desert Pupfish is capable of with- harvesting to a kitchen standing extreme temperature changes, garden in a cattle tank. making it perfectly adapted for desert In any given garden, pools. An omnivore, they consume there will be spaces that are less than inviting aquatic plant life and tiny marine crea- to plants; these are the spots to consider for tures. In captivity its favorite food is utility needs. brine shrimp but it will also eat mos- quito larvae and other small insects. During the spring and summer you can In the lobby of the Desert Discovery Edu- easily spot the males in the school; they cation Center is the Wells Fargo Foyer Gal- are an iridescent turquoise color. The leryy, a small gallery space that features females and young are a non-descript longterm exhibits focusing on themes such brown with light bands that camouflage as edible and useful plants of the desert or them in the weeds. Females lay their Tohono Chul’s history. Classes, workshops eggs in territories established by the and volunteer training is held in the Center’s males. Following spawning, the eggs classrooms, the largest of which can be are deposited on the bottom with no rented for private meetings and retreats. further parental care.

28 To the left of the gate from the Desert Liv- tols and hesperaloes. You can see these rela- ing Courtyard, you will find our collection tives throughout the grounds. The varied of Agaves which can best be described as sizes, forms and blue-green to gray shades low-growing rosettes of succulent, ever- of agaves provide many creative opportuni- green, toothed leaves. Over 130 species ties for landscape use. occur from the Southwest United Agaves have been used extensively for food, States to Mexico, fiber and medicines by the indigenous Central America peoples of Mesoamerica for at least 9,000 and the Caribbean years. Agave was cultivated by many tribes (12 species are na- for its edible heart. Prior to flowering the tive to Arizona, plant was trimmed of its leaves, much like an more than any artichoke, and the leaf base and stem (called other state). Aga- a cabeza) was pit roasted and then eaten — a ves range in size starchy, sweet and nutritious, somewhat from the six-inch fibrous food. Many of us are familiar with rosettes of Agave agave sap known variously as aguamiel (fresh), parviflora to ten-foot pulque (fermented) and mescal or tequila (dis- high “century tilled). Traditionally, leaf fiber was used for plants” that can cordage, nets, basketry, mats, sandals and produce a 25-foot clothing. Today it is commercially harvested tall flower stalk at and labeled as sisal. Be careful when han- the end of its life- dling cut leaves: the sap of the leaves can time. The nick- cause contact dermatitis and other allergic name “century reactions. plant” comes from the mistaken belief Along a side trail are planted South Ameri- that agaves require can cacti known as Trichocereus, and some agave americana 100 years to close relatives. These plants are noted for Debbie Jensen, artist bloom. Actually, their magnificent, colorful, over-sized flow- they are multi-annuals requiring seven to 45 ers that frequently appear en masse. Unlike years to mature and flower, depending on the native night-blooming cereus (Peniocereus the species and growing conditions. Resem- greggii), they may bloom more than once dur- bling an asparagus, the flower stalks of larger ing a season. The first heavy bloom gener- agaves can grow as much as one foot per day. ally occurs in mid-April and scattered flow- Most agaves die after flowering. Besides ering can be enjoyed until the end of warm seed, most species produce offsets or pups weather in October. The wire cages and and some grow plantlets called bulbils on shrub branches on top of certain plants are their flower stalks. This habit of flowering to protect the cacti from hungry wildlife. only once is a feature that distinguishes aga- The branches provide relief from the intense ves from their relatives: yuccas, beargrass, so- desert sun. 29 Next up you will pass various species of yuccayucca, close relatives of agaves. Several DESERT SYMBIOSIS dozen species of yucca range from the south- Incapable of self-pollination, a number ern United States through Mexico and the of yucca species are pollinated by the West Indies. Yuccas vary in size from small, tiny yucca moth — pronuba. This is an stemless rosettes to 30-foot high plants such example of a plant and an animal linked as the famous Joshua Tree of southern Cali- in a symbiotic relationship. The female fornia deserts. The beautiful, perfumed white moth mates and then begins collecting flower masses are striking, especially when pollen from several flowers’ stamens. She whole groves of the plants flower at the same then carries this pollen ball to succes- time. The flowers close and droop during sive yucca flowers, stopping to lay her the day, opening and turning upward at night eggs deep in the pistil (female portion for pollination by a variety of nocturnal crea- of the bloom) and then fill its tip with a tures. portion of the pollen that she carries. As the new seeds develop, so do the lar- vae that feed on a few of the growing seeds. Once mature, they bore through the seedpod and drop by silken threads to the ground. The larvae burrow be- neath the soil and spin a cocoon to await the next spring when they will emerge and begin the cycle again.

tender young flower stalk can be baked and eaten, while the white flowers appearing in yucca elata May can be eaten fresh or cooked. Yucca Debbie Jensen, baccata produces fleshy, edible fruits resem- artist bling a banana, hence its common name, banana yucca. Yuccas are very useful plants — from the The hedgehog cactus is a member of the blade-like leaves, fiber can be extracted to genus Echinocereus. There are approximately make cord. The leaves themselves are used fifty species of hedgehogs distributed from by several tribes in weaving traditional bas- the southern Plains States and the Southwest kets — as green or white stitching fibers and to central Mexico. They grow as solitary for reddish brown accents (yucca roots). The stems or in clusters of up to 500 stems. A roots of the soaptree yucca (Yucca elata) give number of hedgehogs are quite hardy to cold. the plant its name because when pounded One variety of claret cup hedgehog and boiled they create a foamy, cleansing (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) grows at altitudes of lather used for soap and shampoo. Yuccas up to 10,000 feet. Many hedgehogs are es- are also a source of food. In early spring the 30 pecially showy when in flower (April) and yellow fruits often a single plant will have dozens of bril- that follow in liant magenta or red flowers open at the same the fall are ed- time. Colors can range from pink to yellow ible, with a and even green, brown and white. The citrusy taste. spines of some species are a display in them- Peeled fruits selves. The golden hedgehog (Echinocereus can be made engelmannii var. nicholii) has long yellow spines, into jellies or while the Arizona rainbow (E. pectinatus var. marmalades. rigidissimus) has multi-colored bands of spines The tiny ringing the stem. The fruit of many hedge- black seeds hogs is small but edible. are high in fishhook barrel cactus Debbie Jensen, artist protein and The Cactus/Succulent Ramada displays a oil. Fishhook barrel (F. wislizenii) has hooked number of smaller and more delicate cacti spines that have been used for fishing. His- and other succulents. This is an opportu- torically, other barrel spines served as needles nity to compare and contrast a few of the or awls. thousands of succulents that occur worldwide with the varieties found in the Sonoran Contrary to popular myth, barrel cacti are Desert. Many of these plants have evolved not a ready source of water in the desert. similar strategies to cope with the common You cannot cut off the top and find a pool of problems of obtaining and storing water in clear, cold water ready to drink. The sap of arid environments. the barrel is an unpalatable, bitter, milky liq- uid more likely to give you a bellyache. A The area next to the Ramada has been planted barrel cactus can make a reasonably effec- with specimens indigenous to Baja Cali- tive living compass however. Almost all fornia. They include organ pipe cactus, larger plants will lean toward the southwest. senita, creeping devil, elephant trees, It is noteworthy that similar cacti in the kidneywood and palo brea. Southern Hemisphere tend to lean to the northwest. Barrel cacti generally refer to members of the genera Ferocactus and Echinocactus, are na- tive from the southwestern United States to And as you walk through this area of the Park, Mexico. Barrels range in size from small take a closer look at the landscape. You are plants like Ferocactus fordii (6” diameter) to mas- crossing the access road that once led from sive plants such as F. diguetii (14’ tall, 3’ thick). Ina Road to the main house. In March 1984 Most barrel cacti bloom with a showy ring we undertook a long-term project to reveg- of yellow, orange or red flowers in late sum- etate the road and return it to a natural state. mer. F. recurvus, just west of the Cactus/Suc- The eroded and compacted soil was broken culent Ramada, has purple flowers in winter up with a tractor and the surface was then and spring. The crown of pineapple-shaped smoothed with a hand roller. Species of cacti

31 native to the site were planted in natural den- or brittlebush that provides protection from sities and rocks and gravel were spread on predators and the elements. Many of these the surface. Seeds of native trees and shrubs small cacti would die if exposed to the full were planted. Dead tree limbs and dried intensity of the sun. brush were scattered about to help reduce erosion, provide protection for germinating The South Loop Trail is not wheelchair ac- seedlings and eventually to form humus for cessible. It is approximately 1/5 mile in its the soil. The road was then thoroughly wa- entirety and is a pleasant walk through tered to settle the soil and help establish the washes, up a slight incline and past indig- cacti. After more than 15 years the road has enous vegetation. taken on a more natural appearance though its contours are still visible to those who know The South Wash just off the trail is an ex- to look for them. But without any effort at ample of a desert arroyo. This streambed is revegetation it would have remained a per- normally dry, except immediately after a manent scar on the landscape. This is an storm. Rainfall drains off the surrounding excellent example of just how fragile desert higher ground and flows, sometimes quite environments are and yet how they can be rapidly, through the channel. This extra restored with care and time. water percolates into the adjacent soil and allows trees and shrubs to grow larger than The shady Pincushion Ramada is a welcome those on upland sites. Desert wildlife is fre- respite from the sun on a hot summer day. quently concentrated in wash areas such as The rock planter is home to a number of pin- this because of greater cover, cooler tem- cushion cacti of the genus Mammillaria. At peratures and more available food. least 150 species and many varieties range from the southwestern United States to Co- lumbia and Venezuela, while the greatest One of Tohono Chul’s concentrations are found in central Mexico. objectives is to illustrate The fishhook pincushion (Mammillaria for visitors the microcarpa) is common in the desert around interconnectedness be- Tucson and several other species grow in tween the plants and nearby areas. Most pincushions are favor- people of the Sonoran ites of collectors and are prized for their Desert. In no other in- beautifully varied, fascinating forms and the stance is this more evi- exquisite flowers that ring the tops of their dent than in the con- stems with crowns of color. Pincushions nection between the range in size from tiny plants barely one inch saguaro cactus (hahshani) across, to large clustering masses such as M. and the Tohono compressa that can grow to three or four feet O’odham people. The across and contain more than 500 stems. Pin- Pochter Saguaro Dis- cushions will usually seek the shelter of a nurse covery Trail tells the saguaro story of the cactus plant, a desert shrub like triangle leaf bursage Debbie Jensen, artist 32 through its cultural significance to the across the desert. In the Tucson area, the O’odham and its botanical connections to heaviest stands of saguaro occur on warmer the natural history of the desert. south-facing slopes where frost is less injuri- ous and there is a longer growing season. One of the “signature” plants of the Sonoran And, don’t forget to look for the large, Desert, the saguaro has served as an icon of crested (cristate) saguaro at the top of the the Southwest since botanist George Engel- hill. Transplanted from an expanding sand mann described it in 1848. Yet many myths and gravel operation, the cactus is an ex- and misconceptions persist about its longev- ample of genetic mutation. No one is quite ity, its appearance and its uses. Interpretive sure why some specimens develop these odd- signage along the trail depicts the O’odham looking growth patterns, which may form at origin story of the saguaro, traditional the growing tip of the central stem, or from havesting and preparation methods and the one of the arms. post-harvest wine ceremonies leading to the beginning of the summer monsoon. In addi- The West House (1963) is a charming haci- tion, there are panels featuring some amaz- enda-style home with its traditional zaguan ing facts about saguaro adaptations, growth and fountained courtyard. The heavy arched patterns and relationships to other plants and doorway is modeled after a larger one that animals in the desert. once would have admitted a horse and car- riage to the privacy of a home’s interior court- For example, notice yard. Today, the building hosts our La how many juvenile Fuente Museum Shop and the Tohono Chul saguaros are clustered Garden BistroBistro. This Museum Shop features below some of the the work of contemporary local artists along palo verde “nurse” with regional cookbooks and spicy South- trees. These trees west food items. The Bistro is open daily saguaro fruit Debbie Jensen, artist are popular bird for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, serv- roosts and saguaro ing indoors or in the inviting ambience of seeds are dispersed via animal droppings — the interior courtyard or rear patios. It may birds, bats and even javelina and pack rats find saguaro fruit quite tasty. The tree pro- vides the young seedlings protection from the intense sun in summer and reduces frost damage in winter, thus creating an ideal habi- tat. As the saguaros mature, the tree that protected them in their youth will frequently not survive, the saguaros having absorbed most of the available rainfall.

Now look at the large number of small to medium saguaros around you, fanning out al fresco dining on the patio 33 be rented after hours for special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries and parties. AN AVIARY WITHOUT WALLS More than 27 species of birds can be The Wilson RoomRoom, located on the north- found on the Park grounds or in the skies west corner of the West House, is used for overhead. There are easily seen resi- overflow seating from the Bistro and special dents, like cactus wrens and curve-billed events. It too may be rented for private func- thrashersthrashers; and flashy neotropical mi- tions. grants like Wilson’s warbler and rufous Accessible from the hummingbirdhummingbird. Birds that breed in the back patio of the Gar- United States and Canada, but winter in den Bistro or from La Mexico and further south, are termed Entrada Greenhouse, neotropical migratory birds. The sky the Hummingbird islands and riparian corridors of the Garden is landscaped desert Southwest provide these long-dis- tance travelers with cool, moist rest stops black-chinned hummingbird with a variety of plants Debbie Jensen, artist attractive to humming- in an otherwise arid landscape. birds. These mostly When walking the grounds, keep an eye native species include salvias, penstemons, out for courting male roadrunners with agaves, honeysuckle, aloes, desert willow, lizard offerings sure to entice potential red bird-of-paradise and hummingbird trum- mates. Do you hear the call of a male pet. The Garden is regularly visited by Gambel’s quail — chi-ca-go-go — trying Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds, by black- to keep his family together? chinned in the spring and summer breeding season and by broad-billed and rufous hum- Do you recognize the so-called black mingbirds during their migratory passages. cardinal – phainopeplaphainopepla? How about the The colorful handpainted tiles will help you cardinal look-alike pyrrhuloxiapyrrhuloxia? If you identify them. are a birder, whether newly fledged or La Entrada Greenhouse and Garden Shop precocial, join one of our regular birding has something for every plant enthusiast from tours for an introduction to our “aviary the casual weekend gardener to the dedi- without walls.” cated do-it-yourself landscaper, and members enjoy a 10% discount! Helpful staff and vol- trees, shrubs and specimen cacti and succu- unteers are on hand to answer your plant lents. And in July, local growers and dealers questions. A selection of hardy native and join us for a special Monsoon Madness sale. arid-adapted plants are available for sale, along with an assortment of books on gar- Lomaki HouseHouse, built in the late 1960s as a dening and plant identification. Bi-annual guesthouse by founders Richard and Jean plant sales (March and October) are held in Wilson, is available for rent by the public the Propagation Greenhouse (22) and fea- for private functions such as meetings, wed- ture an expanded selection of landscape dings and receptions. 34 Leading off the South Loop Trail, the Our Future Saguaro Discovery Trail was developed in While the preservation of this 2004 with sensitive and minimal environ- 49-acre parcel of Sonoran mental impact among existing stands of cacti. innovation Desert is an admirable goal, it In 2009 we approaced the northern 19 acres is not Tohono Chul’s sole rea- of the grounds the same way, with discrete son for being. Certainly the site is a place enhancements such shade ramadas and drink- to be cherished — a place where people can ing fountains along the improved Desert come to find peace and inspiration in a place View Trail. In the “heart” of Tohono Chul, of beauty. However, the Park’s site is also a 2010’s Sonoran Season Garden, replacing the tool, an agent for change, where people can former main parking lot, tells the seasonal gain knowledge of the natural and cultural stories of the Arizona Upland. heritage of this region. The challenge we Moving beyond that millennial plan, in 2013 face is to find a balance between providing we added the Desert Palm Oasis with its na- for increasing visitation while protecting the tive, but oh, so exotic looking Sonoran palm environment our members and visitors have trees. These new exhibits, along with a new come to enjoy. Entry Path and Succulent Garden that In 2001 we implemented a new Master Plan opened in 2014, allow visitors to learn about which addressed the needs of our commu- the natural and cultural heritage of this re- nity and constituents. Enhanced visitor ser- gion and provides them with an enriching vices included easier accessibility, ADA up- experience of the wonders of the Sonoran grades, interpretive signage, lighting, ex- Desert. panded parking areas and public restrooms. Programming services were improved with MEMBERSHIP AND SUPPORT the additions of the Desert Discovery Edu- Thank you for visiting Tohono Chul. We cation Center (classrooms), Desert Living are pleased to be able to provide residents Courtyard (demonstration landscapes) and and visitors alike with this opportunity to a new and expanded retail Greenhouse. The learn about and experience the Sonoran new SIN AGUA Garden and Desert Living Desert. Courtyard replaced former parking lots, repurposing bladed and compacted sites with If you enjoyed your visit, and believe as we interesting gardens that underscore the ben- do that it is a special place, then we ask you efits of sustainable gardening. to consider becoming a member. It is only through people like you that we are able to Behind the scenes we renovated/expanded continue to protect and preserve this desert areas for plant propagation and conservation, oasis for residents and visitors alike. constructed a new operations shop, built new and upgraded storage for our permanent ar- For information on memberships,contact the tifact collections and a conservation/prepa- Administrative Offices at 742-6455 or ration area for the production of our chang- [email protected]. ing indoor exhibits. 35 36