1020 W. Starr Pass nonprofit org Tucson, AZ 85713 US postage open 8-5 Tue-Sat PAID Tucson, permit no. 337 Desert Survivors NURTURING AND PEOPLE SINCE 1981

SPRING 2014

Executive Director’s Report

I would like to begin this report with Spring 2014 at Desert Survivors, you always get a big “Thanks” to all the members something meaningful in return. who participated in our State Tax Financial support of Desert Survi- Credit donation drive. Desert Sur- vors gives you Native Plants, Tax vivors received almost $20,000 in Benefits, and, most importantly, the VISIT OUR WEBSITE: much-needed donations at the end satisfaction of helping People and desertsurvivors.org of 2013. Even with an improved Planet. Program Services economy, providing any type of hu- Jim is promising a super season man service in Arizona is challenging, MEMBERSHIP: $50/yr of native plants, and at this spring and the State of Arizona is not par- -newsletter semiannually sale we are likely to see plants sell ticularly famous for raising or dedi- -10% off purchases like gangbusters. It will be great to photo: lmbrewer cating funds to programs supporting all year see all our members again. Please -members’ day sale entry people in need of assistance. Luckily, remember, if you need anything our members came through for us from Desert Survivors, just call me again. Although Desert Survivors is DIRECTORY: at 609-8333. See you at the sale a tightly run ship, meeting budget is and all season. Richard Bechtold always a challenge; we must keep a Executive Director close eye on finances. Your support Richard M. Bechtold 609-8333 is critical. At the same time, I am Executive Director Jim Verrier proud that any time you spend money Mammillaria rubragrandis Nursery Director 791-9309 A tempting assortment of cacti in 2-gallon pots available at the Nursery. Karen Wilson Justicia sonorae Director of Programs another new year, and everything is going great in Desert Survivors’ Program Services. 884-8806 It’sFirst, we are profoundly grateful to our friends at the Stonewall Foundation for re-funding Spring Plant Sale 2014 our grant. This allows us to continue to provide services to five adults who are eligible for the State Division of Developmental Disabilities but who do not meet the criteria for federal funding. At this time, the State does not have money to pay for employment services, so DESERT SURVIVORS is a unique human service agen- Members Sale these five gentlemen would be left sitting at home with nothing to do, a situation known to photo: lmbrewer March 8, Sat., 8am - 5pm erode self-worth. Thanks to the Stonewall Foundation we are able to keep them employed cy founded in 1981 in and at Desert Survivors. This not only gives them a paycheck but also allows them to develop for the Tucson community. 20% off everything relationships with their peers and the staff at Desert Survivors; it gives them a meaningful Desert Survivors is a nonprof- it organization combining the Members get 20% off during job that they feel proud of and a sense of pride in contributing to their community. Thank appreciation and preserva- general public sale as well you Stonewall Foundation. tion of the Sonoran Desert It has been almost a year since Children’s Services transitioned to the “Team Based Model.” with innovative and effective Considered a “best practice,” this model gives each family access to a team of profession- services to enhance the lives General Public Sale als while having one person serves as the main point of contact for the family. We provide of people with disabilities. March 11, Tues., through this service to the families of children ages birth to three under a subcontract with Easter March 15, 8am - 5pm Seals Blake Foundation, and the program is overseen by the Department of Economic Security, Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP). Our two developmental specialists are design: Linda M. Brewer/Bailiwik, Ink; 10% off everything continued on page 3 Acourtia wrightii Escheverria gibbiflora Featured Plants Spring 2014 Bromus anomalus (Poaceae) flaccidus var. flaccidus () nodding brome threadleaf groundsel Many people become concerned when they hear about Peviously known as S. longilobus, and recently reclassi- murpheyi brome grasses in our region, as there are some really fied as S. flaccidus var. flaccidus, this showy composite is invasive nonnative species of this in southern highly recommended for your garden—it makes a stun- () from a few hours of afternoon shade. northern extent of its range in Tucson.) Arizona—like red brome and cheatgrass (B. rubens ning landscape element noteworthy for its wooly silverish This Hohokam classic makes a great ad- The Tucson population of B. sessiliflora Murphey’s agave and B. tectorum, respectively). Fortunately, there are foliage and a profusion of large yellow blooms. It blooms dition to any landscape. At the sale, we has been reduced to a single plant at a This unusual plant is one of three spe- many locally native species of Bromus, including nod- during the monsoon season and into early fall. This will have two different cultivars available, drying spring in a location that has been cies of that have only been found ding brome. This lovely grass is a small bunchgrass groundsel typically grows to 3 feet high or more and can one with smooth leaves and the other developed into a golf course with a huge in Arizona in association with historic that reaches about 2 feet high or so, with somewhat take full sun, but it benefits from a few hours of afternoon with coarsely textured leaves. manmade lake. Hohokam cultivation sites. (The other two wide leaf blades that turn a bluish tint as they mature. shade (as do so many plants in the desert). It needs mod- species are A. delamateri and A. phillipsi- Under good conditions, the Rio Grande The bromes characteristically have large, “chunky” erate to minimal watering. Like all , threadleaf ana.) Murphey’s agave has been found at Buddleja sessiliflora butterfly bush is a large between 5 seedheads. The large seedheads on this species hang groundsel is a huge pollinator plant, attractive to a variety archeological sites in Pinal, Gila, Marico- (Scrophulariaceae) and 8 feet in height and width, with large downward, hence the common name. Bromus anoma- of butterflies and bees. Unusual in cultivation and seldom pa, and Yavapai counties, between eleva- leaves, 4 to 9 inches long. Very unusual lus is found locally in the Santa Catalina and Rincon offered at nurseries, S. flaccidus var. flaccidus is tions of 1350 and 2950 feet, typically in Rio Grande butterflybush greenish flower clusters bloom along the Mountains between elevations of 3,500 and 7,000 feet. a staff favorite. desert scrub habitat. Evidence of human Once in its own family (Buddlejaceae), stems, and they produce an intriguing It prefers partial shade and moderate water. This is a Jim Verrier use of agave plants as an important food B. sessiliflora has been moved into the aroma that has garnered varying descrip- very attractive grass that works as a great accent plant in Director of Plant Nursery plant dates back about 9,000 years, and figwort family (most of Buddlejaceae’s tions from Desert Survivors staff. This the right spot. We are pleased to finally add a native Photos by Jim Verrier unless otherwise noted currently more than 500 historic agave previous occupants were reassigned to plant likes water, so it should be placed in brome to Desert Survivor’s grass inventory.

far left: Murphey’s agave. center: Rio Grande butterfly bush; above, close-up of its flowers.

above: nodding brome and clip of its seedhead. right and Threadleaf groundsel flowers photo © Max above right: flowers of threadleaf groundsel and close-up of Licher, SEINet/Southwest Environmental cultivation sites are known in Arizona. several other families—many went to an area that receives more than minimal a branch. Information Network However, A. murpheyi exists today strictly the plantago family [Plantaginaceae]). water; in fact, it would make an excel- as a cultivated relic. It is one of only two Buddleja sessiliflora is extremely rare in lent graywater plant. It is cold hardy to dozen or so agaves that produce bulbils Arizona, although its rarity is relatively the high teens and does well in Tucson. (or new plants) along the flowering stalks, unknown and undiscussed. Historically, Rio Grande butterfly bush blooms in the which means it can be easily mass propa- in Arizona, there are about a dozen spring and is very attractive to pollinators. Program Services: continued from back page gated by humans. Bulbil reproduction is herbarium collections for this plant, We are pleased to offer this rare and assigned to two main regions in southern Arizona. One works primarily in the southwest region, which includes the Tohono believed to have been a factor in historical almost half of which came from the locally declining species. It is likely that O’odham Nation, and the other works primarily in the southeast region, which includes Green Valley and Santa Cruz County. cultivation efforts that increased the variet- Santa Catalina foothills near Sabino the one known remaining plant in the Things are going very well. It has been a learning process for everyone, but Easter Seals Blake Foundation has provided sup- ies of this cultivar. Canyon. Other historic localities in Tucson vicinity will perish within a few port and training opportunities that have made a great difference. Families I have spoken with really like the new model, and the system’s glitches are slowly but surely being worked out. Murphey’s agave is a medium-sized plant, this state are from the Pajarito, Coyote, years, as the spring continues to dry out the rosette of which reaches approximately and Tumacacori Mountains, and from from groundwater pumping, continued Everyone is working hard in the Nursery gearing up for our spring sale. We hope you enjoy seeing all the little improvements to 3 feet high. It is a low water-use plant, Fresno Canyon and Sonoita Creek. drought, and increased temperatures. It buildings (and even bathrooms) around the nursery. Our crews are working to get everything ready so that you can fully enjoy but requires a little more than These localities are often represented by would be interesting to visit the historic your experience at Desert Survivors. You are very important to us, and we greatly appreciate your continued support. I look wild-occurring plants (most likely a result a single or handful of plants. (This plant localities to get an idea of just how many forward to seeing you all at the sale. Karen Wilson of its strictly cultivated past), and it benefits is common in but reaches the of these rare plants are left. Director of Program Services

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