Informative Guide to Native Plants in Tucson/Southeast Arizona

Arizona has a very interesting variety of native plants. This will be the first installment in a series dedicated to studying many varieties of them. I've started with a few of the more well known plants and a couple that you may not even know existed. Many of these native plants have been used for thousands of years by the native inhabitants for everything from building, to medicine, and even food. This guide is intended to inform people of the various species, where and how they grow, and some of the ways they can be put to use.

Saguaro:

The saguaro cactus (Carnegia gigantean) is one the most famous around, however it is native only to the Sonoran desert. This cactus tends to grow on rocky well drained slopes or bajadas. Although they only grow about 1 inch a year, they can grow to between 15 and 50 feet tall. They bloom between May and June, with white flowers that are about 3 inches in diameter and produce an edible yellow fruit. Usually if you want to grow your own, you will need to purchase the seeds, and you can even find kits that are available for this purpose. You cannot take any of these plants from their native environment because they are protected by law. The fruits have been used for a food source, and it is possible to extract a drinkable liquid from this commanding specimen.

Ocotillo:

The ocotillo (Fouquieria splendis) is anther fairly well know specimen of desert native fauna. A native plant in both the Sonora and Chihuahua deserts, these intimidating plants grow on rocky slopes under 5,000 feet in elevation. They can be recognized by their long flexible, and very thorny, branches that reach for the sky. They bloom from March to June with beautiful red flowers that are approximately ½ to 1 inch in length. These bushes were harvested for its branches because they are very strong and light, and therefore are excellent for building small structures, as well as fences and other defensive structures. These plants can be grown from seed or by cloning a branch using a root hormone.

Creosote bush:

Creosote bush (Larreatridentata) is another very interesting species of native desert plant. It is known to grow in all four deserts of the southwestern United States, and Mexico. They grow prolifically on rocky slopes and plains below the 4,000 ft level and from about 4-12 feet high. They bloom with hundreds of small yellow flowers that bloom from February through August. They are known for their very distinct smell, especially right before and after it rains. It is said that this plant was used by the natives as a balm for healing wounds and tumors. The leaves are ground while fresh and then added to a base of fat, then rubbed on the affected area of the skin. The seeds are contained in little fuzzy spheres and must be soaked in boiling water before planted.

Mesquite:

The mesquite tree (Propis pubescens) is probably the most useful native tree in Arizona. This prolific plant grows just about anywhere and is used for many things. Besides being a very popular hard wood used for fire, and specifically cooking, it is also used for furniture building but the beans are also used to make a ground meal, somewhat similar to corn meal and can be used to make breads and tortillas. The difference, however, is that this meal, known as Pinole, is sweeter and digests slower, making it great for people with blood sugar problems. There are three main species of mesquite, honey, velvet, and screw bean. Besides Pinole, the peoples of the region used mesquite to make tea and syrup. The beans also make up a large portion of a coyote's diet during the sparse summer months.

Night Blooming Cerus:

The night blooming cerus (Peniocerus greggii) also known as the queen of the desert or the deer horn cactus, is one of the most coveted native plant species in Arizona. This majestic flowering cactus only blooms in the midsummer (June or July), at night, and only for one night. It boasts a moonlike white blossom that is about 4 inches in diameter and has a very pleasant odor. Its root, which is very large, 15 to 30 lbs., was used by the indigenous peoples as a food source. It is native to both the Sonoran and Chihuahua deserts and can be grown from a clipping, if done with great care, however that are protected, and you may need to acquire a permit before harvesting.