Alphabetical listing of trees, shrubs and grasses, etc



Abstracted from Pima County Regulated Flood Control District, “Regulated Riparian Habitat Mitigation Standards and Implementation Guidelines, 2010.

|Botanical name |Common name |Growth form |Water Use |Lifespan, elevation, |Seasonality; flower, |Plant associations |Animal Relationships |

| | | | |size |fruit, berries, other | | |

|TREES | | | | | | | |

|Acacia constricta|Whitethorn |Perennial |Low-Moderate|Perennial; |Deciduous; very small |Midstory shrubby tree |Nectar: eaten by insects and|

| |acacia |shrub/small | |2500’-5000’, occurs in|yellow-orange flowers in|occurring in a variety |nectar-eating birds |

| | |tree | |a variety of settings |spherical clusters |of habitats; often |including verdin; Seeds: |

| | | | |including washes, |present May-September, |associated with velvet |eaten by a wide variety of |

| | | | |slopes, shallow |followed by seedpods; |mesquite, desert |birds and other wildlife; |

| | | | |caliche-lined soils |pairs of whitish spines |hackberry, wolfberry, |Foliage: eaten by deer and |

| | | | |and grasslands; to 15’|on branches; |and various cacti |jackrabbits; host plant for |

| | | | |tall |nitrogen-fixer | |larval butterflies; Provides|

| | | | | | | |cover and nest sites for |

| | | | | | | |birds |

|Acacia greggii |Catclaw |Perennial |Low |Long-lived perennial; |Small yellow flowers on |Under- to mid-story |Seeds: eaten by birds and |

| |acacia |Tree | |below 5000’, occurs |cylindrical spikes bloom|shrub on slopes, along |other wildlife; Nectar: |

| | | | |within and along |April–October; seedpods |washes; occasionally a |attracts butterflies and |

| | | | |slopes, canyons, |produced in summer to |tree where moisture |other insects including |

| | | | |riparian bottomlands, |fall; semi-deciduous in |plentiful; associated |ants, which in turn attract |

| | | | |and desert washes; |winter and extreme |with common xeroriparian|horned lizards; Shelter for |

| | | | |shrub or small tree to|drought; has small but |species such as velvet |a wide variety of wildlife |

| | | | |20’ tall |sharp “cat-claw-like” |mesquite, desert | |

| | | | | |thorns; nitrogen-fixer |hackberry, and | |

| | | | | | |graythorn. | |

|Celtis laevigata |Netleaf/ |Perennial |Moderate |Long-lived perennial; |Deciduous; very small |Midstory to overstory |Berries: eaten by a wild |

|(Celtis |Canyon |Tree | |1500’-6000’; occurs in|greenish flower blooms |tree associated with |variety of wildlife; |

|reticulata) |hackberry | | |moist riverbeds, and |March-April; small |Mexican elderberry, |Provides cover and nest |

| | | | |along intermittent |reddish fruits available|velvet ash, Fremont |sites for birds including |

| | | | |streams,, and canyons;|June to November |cottonwood, velvet |raptors |

| | | | |to 35’ tall | |mesquite, western | |

| | | | | | |soapberry, and Arizona | |

| | | | | | |walnut | |

|Chilopsis |Desert willow|Perennial |Low-Moderate|Perennial, moderate |Deciduous; showy |Midstory to overstory |Nectar: consumed by |

|linearis | |shrub/small | |lifespan; 1500’ – |lavender pea-shaped |tree in variety of |hummingbirds, insects |

| | |tree | |5000’, occurs in |blooms Apr–Aug/Sep |upland and riparian |including bees (bumble bees,|

| | | | |desert flats, and | |situations; commonly |carpenter bees, and others),|

| | | | |along washes and | |associated with desert |and nectar-eating birds; |

| | | | |streams; to 25’ | |wash communities |Insects attracted by nectar |

| | | | | | |including velvet |provide food for |

| | | | | | |mesquite, Mexican |insect-eating birds; Leaves:|

| | | | | | |elderberry, and desert |host plant for larvae of |

| | | | | | |hackberry. |pollinating moths; Shelter |

| | | | | | | |and nesting for birds and |

| | | | | | | |other wildlife |

|Fraxinus velutina|Arizona ash, |Perennial |Moderate-Hig|Perennial; 2000‘– |Deciduous; Blooms |Overstory tree in |Seeds: eaten by a wide |

| |Velvet ash |Tree |h |7000’; within and |March-April; very small |riparian bottomlands; |variety of wildlife |

| | | | |along streams, moist |yellow flowers appear |associated with Arizona | |

| | | | |canyons and washes; to|before leaves |walnut, netleaf | |

| | | | |30’ tall | |hackberry, and Mexican | |

| | | | | | |elderberry. | |

|Juglans major |Arizona black|Perennial |High |Long-lived perennial; |Deciduous; small |Mid-or overstory tree in|Nuts: eaten by a wide |

| |walnut |Tree | |3000’-7000’; occurs in|greenish blooms before |moist areas; associated |variety of wildlife; |

| | | | |streams and moist |or during spring or |with velvet ash, Mexican|provides shelter, including |

| | | | |canyons from desert to|summer leaf growth; |elderberry, Acacia spp. |nesting cavities, for birds |

| | | | |oak or pine |produces large, edible | |and other wildlife |

| | | | |forestlands; to 50’ |nut. | | |

| | | | |tall | | | |

|Olneya tesota |Desert |Perennial |Low |Long-lived perennial; |Purple, pink or white |Mid-sized desert tree; |Seeds: eaten by many |

| |Ironwood |Tree | |below 2500’, occurs on|pea-like |associated |animals. Flowers: food for |

| | | | |foothills and desert |flowers bloom May–June; |with saguaro, desert |nectar-eating birds. |

| | | | |slopes where cold air |seedpods |hackberry, |Leaves and twigs: browse for|

| | | | |doesn’t settle; 26’to |produced June-July; |wolfberry, graythorn, |bighorn sheep and mule deer.|

| | | | |30' tall |pairs of spines emerge |and desert lavender |Retains leaves during summer|

| | | | | |from stems at base of | |drought; important for |

| | | | | |leaves; nitrogen-fixer. | |breeding and year-round |

| | | | | | | |thermal shelter. Keystone |

| | | | | | | |species due to abundamce of |

| | | | | | | |wildlife that relies on it. |

|Parkinsonia |Blue |Perennial |Low-Moderate|Perennial, moderate age;|Bright yellow flowers |Mid- to overstory |Seeds: eaten by a variety of|

|florida |paloverde |Tree | |500’–4000’, occurs in |bloom April–May; |associate within a |wildlife; Nectar: used by |

|(Cercidium | | | |washes, valleys, and |seedpods appear |wide variety of |bees and other insects and |

|floridum ) | | | |floodplains, grasslands;|May-June; winter and |habitats including |nectar-eating birds; Fallen |

| | | | |to 30’ tall |drought deciduous; some |desert, grassland and |flowers: eaten by desert |

| | | | | |spines on branches and |xeroriparian |tortoise and other wildlife |

| | | | | |stems; needs higher |understory; often |species; Branches: provide |

| | | | | |moisture levels than |associated with velvet|nesting sites for numerous |

| | | | | |foothills paloverde; |mesquite and desert |bird species and nighttime |

| | | | | |nitrogen-fixer |hackberry |roosts for many wildlife |

| | | | | | | |species; Host plant for |

| | | | | | | |mistletoe which is a key |

| | | | | | | |food source for phainopepla;|

|Parkinsonia |Foothills |Perennial |Low |Long-lived perennial; |Large yellow flowers |Mid to overstory |Seeds: eaten by birds and |

|microphylla |Palo Verde, |Tree | |500-4000’; occurs |bloom Mar-May; seedpods |associate within a |mammals. Flowers: provide |

|(Cercidium |yellow palo | | |throughout Sonoran |mature June-July; |wide variety of |pollen and nectar for |

|microphyllum) |verde | | |desertscrub habitats and|tolerates drier |habitats, including |insects, including solitary |

| | | | |along washes and |condtions than blue |dersert, grassland, |bees; also eaten by |

| | | | |streams; slow to medium|paloverde; |and xeroriparian |wildlife. Branches: used for|

| | | | |growth rate, depending |nitrogen-fixer. |understory; often |nesting and roosting sites; |

| | | | |on water availability; | |associated with |host for mistletoe that is |

| | | | |shrub or tree to 26’ | |saguaro and other |food of phainopepla and |

| | | | |tall | |cacti, creosotebush, |other birds. |

| | | | | | |desert ironwood, and | |

| | | | | | |mesquite. | |

|Platanus wrightii|Arizona |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 2000’-6000’, |Deciduous; inconspicuous|Overstory tree in |Seeds: eaten by wildlife; |

| |sycamore |Tree | |occurs within and along |flowers bloom |canyons near streams; |Leaves, stems, wood: |

| | | | |streams and rocky |March-April; flowers |associated with |utilized by beaver;Provides |

| | | | |canyons; to 80’ tall |followed by cylindrical |Arizona walnut, |habitat for wildlife |

| | | | | |fruits |Fremont cottonwood, |including sites for |

| | | | | | |and Goodding’s willow |cavity-nesting birds |

|Populus fremontii|Fremont |Perennial |High |Long-lived perennial; |Deciduous; very small, |Overstory tree in |Twigs and foliage: eaten by |

|ssp. Fremontii |cottonwood |Tree | |150– 6000’; occurs along|green-yellow flowers |moist areas along |deer, beaver, and other |

| | | | |streams, rivers, and |bloom early spring |streams and rivers, or|mammals. Buds and catkins: |

| | | | |cienegas with surface |(often late February in |elsewhere where water |eaten by |

| | | | |water or near-surface |Tucson area) |table is near surface;|birds. Insects attracted by |

| | | | |groundwater; to 100’ | |associated with |fragrant buds provide |

| | | | |tall | |Arizona sycamore, |additional forage for |

| | | | | | |Arizona ash, |wildlife. Large size offers |

| | | | | | |Goodding’s willow, |abundant sheltering, |

| | | | | | |sacaton, grasslands, |resting, nesting and |

| | | | | | |and canyon grape |foraging habitat for |

| | | | | | | |numerous wildlife species |

|Prosopis |Screwbean |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial, moderate |Deciduous; small, yellow|Medium-sized tree; |Seeds and pods: eaten by a |

|pubescens |mesquite |Tree | |lifespan; below 4000’, |flowers in clusters; |fixes nitrogen in |wide variety of wildlife; |

| | | | |occurs in floodplains |blooms May-August; |soil; associates with |host plant for mistletoe, |

| | | | |and bottomlands; to |seedpods in |velvet mesquite, |which is an important food |

| | | | |15-20’ tall. |summer-falll; branches |wolfberry, graythorn, |source for phainopepla and |

| | | | | |have spines; |and four-winged |other birds. |

| | | | | |nitrogen-fixer. |saltbush. | |

|Prosopis velutina|Velvet |Perennial |Low |Long-lived perennial; |Deciduous; clusters of |Mid- to over-story |Seeds, pods, bark, twigs and|

| |mesquite |tree | |1000’-5000’; occurs in |yellow flowers bloom |tree associated with |leaves: eaten by a wide |

| | | | |riparian floodplains; |April-May, and again in |wide variety of desert|variety of wildlife |

| | | | |along washes, on |August; seedpods are |and riparian plants |including birds, bighorn |

| | | | |scrubland slopes, and |produced June-September;|including saltbush, |sheep, deer, antelope, |

| | | | |scattered in grasslands;|nitrogen-fixer |wolfberry, desert |coyote, and rodents; |

| | | | |generally to 30’ tall, | |hackberry, graythorn, |Flowers: attract 60 species |

| | | | |but larger in old-growth| |desert lavender, and a|of native bees, plus wasps |

| | | | |bosques in bottomlands | |wide variety of |and butterflies; Nectar and |

| | | | | | |grasses and forbs |larval plant for |

| | | | | | | |butterflies; Nesting sites: |

| | | | | | | |utilized by white winged |

| | | | | | | |doves, mourning doves, and |

| | | | | | | |many other birds; Host plant|

| | | | | | | |for mistletoe, which is an |

| | | | | | | |important food source for |

| | | | | | | |phainopepla and other birds;|

| | | | | | | |Insects on plant gleaned by |

| | | | | | | |birds |

|Quercus emoryi |Emory oak | | |Perennial; 4,000 – |Evergreen; small |Midstory to overstory |Leaves and stems: browse for|

| | | | |7,000’, occurs on dry |inconspicuous flowers |tree in variety of |deer; Acorns: eaten by a |

| | | | |slopes, and along moist |appear in spring; acorns|mid- to high-elevation|variety of wildlife; |

| | | | |canyons in grasslands; |produced in summer |settings; often along |Perennial cover valued by a |

| | | | |shrub or small tree to | |drainages in grassland|wide variety of wildlife |

| | | | |50’ | |settings. | |

|Salix gooddingii |Goodding’s |Perennial |High |Perennial; below 7000’,|Deciduous; tiny flowers |Mid to overstory tree,|Twigs and foliage: eaten by |

| |willow |Tree | |occurs along streams, |in bunches bloom in |often draping branches|deer, beaver, and other |

| | | | |rivers, and moist |spring and then release |to the ground, |mammals; Buds and catkins: |

| | | | |bottomlands with |seeds that float in |associated with |eaten by birds, sites for |

| | | | |surface water or |cottony fluff |Fremont cottonwood, |insect gleaning birds; Dense|

| | | | |near-surface | |velvet ash, and canyon|cover: provides thermal |

| | | | |groundwater; to 45’ | |grape |shelter and cover from |

| | | | |tall | | |predators, and sheltered |

| | | | | | | |nest sites |

|Sambucus nigra |Mexican |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 1000’ – |Drought deciduous; |Mid-sized tree, |Berries: eaten by a wide |

|ssp. Cerulea |elderberry, |shrub/ small| |4000’, occurs along |yellow-white cluster of |occasionally large, |variety of wildlife; |

|(Sambucus |blue |tree | |streams, rivers, and |small blooms appears |associated with |Foliage: eaten by deer, |

|mexicana) |elderberry | | |bottomlands, and |March-June; small, |Goodding’s willow, |livestock, and other |

| | | | |scattered across moist |abundant berries |velvet mequite, |mammals. |

| | | | |grasslands; shrub to |May-October |netleaf hackberry, | |

| | | | |small tree to 30’ tall.| |graythorn, climbing | |

| | | | | | |milkweed, and old | |

| | | | | | |man’s beard. | |

|Sapindus |Western |Perennial |Low |Perennial; 2,400’ – |Deciduous; small white |Multi-trunked tree |Leaves and twigs: generally |

|saponaria var. |soapberry |Tree | |6,000’; occurs in |flower appears May – |occurring in riparian |not palatable for wildlife |

|drummondii | | | |canyons, streams, |August, followed by |communities; common |due to the presence of |

| | | | |desert grasslands, and |yellowish berries |codominants include |poisonous saponids; Nectar: |

| | | | |oak woodlands; 20’ to | |Arizona black walnut |eaten by butterflies Clonal |

| | | | |50’ tall | |and velvet ash |growth provides dense cover |

| | | | | | | |for a numerous wildlife |

| | | | | | | |species |

|SHRUBS | | | | | | | |

|Ambrosia |Triangle-leaf|Perennial |Low |Perennial, ,1000-3000',|Evergreen; inconspicuous |Low-growing subshrub |Flowers probably provide |

|deltoidea |bursage |shrub or | |low-growing, less than |pale yellow-green |prefers coarse, |nectar and pollen for |

| | |subshrub | |2’ tall. Often in |flowers, fruit a small |rapidly drained soils.|insects. Plant provides |

| | | | |nearly pure stands on |bur. Flowers February to |Often associated with |cover for small vertebrates.|

| | | | |bajadas, plains, and |July. |foothill paloverde and| |

| | | | |mesas. | |saguaro. | |

|Anisacanthus |Desert honey-|Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 2500-5500’, |Showy red to orange |Understory shrub, |Nectar and pollen: eaten by |

|thurberi (Drejera|suckle |Shrub | |colonizes sandy washes,|flowers appear mostly in |sometimes forming |hummingbirds and solitary |

|thurberi) | | | |canyons, and |spring, but during other |large clumps; often |bees; Leaves and twigs: |

| | | | |riparian bottomlands; |times when adequate |found alongside desert|browsed by |

| | | | |upright shrub to 6’ |moisture is present |washes with velvet |bighorn sheep, cattle, and |

| | | | |tall | |mesquite, ironwood, |other mammals; |

| | | | | | |paloverde, | |

| | | | | | |chuperosa, and desert | |

| | | | | | |willow | |

|Asclepias |Butterfly |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 4,000 – |Low to mid-sized herb |Low to mid-sized |Host plant for several |

|tuberosa |milkweed |subshrub | |8,000’, dry grasslands,|with bright orange or |meadow herb |butterfly species. |

| | | | |meadows; Bushy to 3’ |yellow flower blooming | | |

| | | | |high |May – September | | |

|Atriplex |Four-winged |Perennial |Low |Perennial; 2000’-8000’;|Evergreen; inconspicuous |Mid-sized to large |Seeds: eaten by birds and |

|canescens |saltbush |shrub | |occurs in valleys and |pale flowers bloom July -|shrub; associated with|small mammals; Insects |

| | | | |along washes, and in |August; prominent winged |variety of low to |attracted to flowers are |

| | | | |sandy soil from |seeds present |mid-elevation plant |gleaned by birds; Leaves and|

| | | | |creosote valleys to |April-September; alkaline|communities including |twigs: valuable forage for |

| | | | |pinyon flats; shrub to |tolerant |triange bursage, |mammals including deer; |

| | | | |8’ tall | |burrobrush and grasses|Plant provides good cover |

| | | | | | |and forsbs |and nesting sites |

|Atriplex |Quailbush |Perennial |Low |Perennial; below 4000’;|Semi-deciduous; small |Mid- to large-sized |Seeds: eaten by quail and |

|lentiformis | |Shrub | |inhabits a range of dry|green flower blooms |shrub in open areas or|other birds; Flowers: |

| | | | |to moist soils in |February-April; alkaline |under- to mid-story in|provide pollen and nectar |

| | | | |desert flats, |tolerant |other areas; frequent |for bees; Twigs and foliage:|

| | | | |floodplains and | |associates include |browsed by deer, pronghorn |

| | | | |drainages; dense shrub,| |velvet mesquite, |and bighorn sheep; Cover |

| | | | |to 8’ tall and 12’ wide| |four-winged saltbush, |plant for wildlife including|

| | | | | | |and saltgrass |quail |

|Baccharis |Seep willow |Perennial |Moderate-Hig|Perennial; 2000’-5500; |White flowers on ends of |Associated with, and |Nectar: eaten by |

|salicifolia | |Shrub |h |occurs along streams |branches bloom March-Dec;|contributes to growth |butterflies, wasps and |

| | | | |and moist washes, and |seeds in summer to fall |of, willows and |beneficial bees |

| | | | |in riparian | |Fremont cottonwoods | |

| | | | |bottomlands; tall shrub| | | |

| | | | |or small tree to 12’ | | | |

| | | | |tall | | | |

|Barkleyanthus |Senecio, |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 2000-4000’; |Bright yellow flowers in|Occurs in desertscrub |Flowers: provide pollen and |

|salicifolius |willow |Shrub | |occurs along moist |dense clusters |and grassland |nectar for butterflies and |

|(Senecio |ragwort | | |washes, streams, and |February-April; |habitats; common |other insects; |

|salignus) | | | |disturbed areas; shrub |frost-sensitive. |associates include |Foliage: browsed by deer and|

| | | | |to 3’ tall. | |cacti and a wide |other mammals. |

| | | | | | |variety of grasses and| |

| | | | | | |forbs. | |

|Calliandra |Fairy duster |Perennial |Low |Perennial; below 5000’; |Semi-deciduous; puffy, |Small to medium sized |Foliage: browse for mammals;|

|eriophylla | |Shrub | |occurs on hillsides, |pink flower clusters |cold-hardy shrub; |Flowers: provide nectar |

| | | | |desert flats, washes, |appear any time of year,|associated with |eaten by butterflies, |

| | | | |and grasslands; shrub to|but mostly October-May |bricklebush, Trixis, |hummingbirds, and bees; |

| | | | |4’ tall | |limberbush, and a wide|Seeds: eaten by birds and |

| | | | | | |variety of grasses and|other wildlife; Provides |

| | | | | | |forbs |dense cover often lacking in|

| | | | | | | |the lower strata |

|Celtis |Desert |Perennial |Low |Long-lived perennial; |Deciduous or |Large shrub in open |Berries: valuable forage for|

|ehrenbergiana |hackberry, |shrub | |1500 – 3500’; occurs in |semi-evergreen shrub; |desert or midstory in |a wide variety of wildlife; |

|(Celtis pallida) |spiny | | |uplands along washes and|flowers are small and |riparian bottomlands; |Foliage: browsed by deer, |

| |hackberry | | |canyons, and in open |whitish, appearing in |associated with velvet|attracts insects, which are |

| | | | |desert and riparian |summer; bright orange |mesquite, graythorn, |eaten by birds; Provides |

| | | | |bottomlands; shrub |berries present from |wolfberry, catclaw |dense cover and nesting |

| | | | |10’-20' tall |June-October; dense and |acacia, and prickly |habitat for birds and small |

| | | | | |thorny |pear and other cacti. |mammals |

|Cephalanthus |Buttonbush, |Perennial |High |Long-lived perennial, |Deciduous shrub with |Mid-story shrub, |Waterfowl are the principle |

|occidentalis |Common |shrub | |1,000-5000'; inhabits |warts on stems; flowers |usually in saturated |users of the seeds and the |

| |buttonbush | | |wet soils adjacent to |are white balls to 1.5 |soils adjacent to |plants are browsed by deer. |

| | | | |streams and open waters;|inches in diameter that |streams or other water|Insects come to the blooms |

| | | | |shrub or small tree to |appear between June and |bodies. Associated |for nectar. |

| | | | |10'. |September; fruit a rough|with three-leafed | |

| | | | | |button to 3/4" in |sumac and silktassel. | |

| | | | | |diameter; | | |

|Condalia |Warnock |Perennial |Low |Long-lived perennial, |Evergreen, tiny flowers |Associated with |provides excellent cover for|

|warnockii |condalia, |shrub | |2500-5000' |in August |mesquite and palo |nesting birds such |

| |Warnock's | | |occurs in uplands on |to October, also spring.|verde, graythorn and |as Pyrrhuloxia |

| |snakeweed | | |bajdas and mesas and in |Fruits are red-blackish |wolfberry | |

| | | | |canyons to 10' tall |and up to 1/4 inch | | |

| | | | | |diameter | | |

|Dodonaea viscosa |Hopbush |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 2000’- 5000’,|Evergreen; small |Mid- to large-sized |Seeds: eaten by some birds; |

| | |Shrub | |found along washes, |yellowish flowers bloom |deep green shrub |Provides dense shelter for |

| | | | |canyons, rocky slopes; |February-October, |scattered in open |wildlife |

| | | | |and floodplains; shrub |followed by winged |areas; often | |

| | | | |to 12’ tall |fruits |associated with | |

| | | | | | |ocotillo and jojoba | |

|Encelia farinosa |Brittlebush |Perennial |Low |Perennial; occurs on |Silvery-gray leaves may |Sub-shrub with showy, |Flowers: pollinated by |

| | |Shrub | |hillsides, washes, |drop in |yellow |nectar-eating butterflies, |

| | | | |roadsides and other flat|spring droughts; showy |“daisy-like” flowers; |moths, and small bees; |

| | | | |areas below 3000'; Shrub|yellow flowers |often associated with |Seeds: eaten by birds, |

| | | | |to 3' tall |November-May in frost |creosotebush, |rodents, and other wildlife;|

| | | | | |free areas. |paloverde, and various|Leaves and twigs: eaten by |

| | | | | | |cacti and grasses. |bighorn sheep, other |

| | | | | | | |mammals. |

|Ericameria |Turpentine |Perennial |Low |Perennial; 3000’- 6000’,|Small and numerous |Small, deep green |Flowers: provide nectar and |

|laricifolia |bush |Shrub | |occurs in canyons, and |yellow to golden flowers|shrub found in open |pollen for bees and other |

|(Haplopappus | | | |on rocky slopes and |bloom August-December |areas or understory in|insects |

|laricifolius) | | | |desert flats’ to 3’ tall| |oak woodland; | |

| | | | | | |strong-smelling | |

| | | | | | |flowers | |

|Eriogonum |Flat-top |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 1000’-4500’; |Very small white to pink|Sub-shrub often |Seeds: eaten by birds and |

|fasciculatum var.|buckwheat, |shrub | |grows on hillsides and |persistent flowers in |associated with odora |other wildlife |

|Foliolosum/ |Eastern | | |other crub-dominated |clusters that dry to an |and fairy duster. |Flowers: nectar eaten by |

|polifolium |Mohave | | |uplants; to 3’ tall. |orangish-white color. | |butterflies and bees |

| |buckwheat | | | | | |Foliage: browsed and gleaned|

| | | | | | | |by mammals and some birds. |

|Garrya wrightii |Wright's |Perennial |Moderate |Evergreen perennial, |Inconspicuous tasseled |Mid-sized to large |Foliage: browsed by deer, |

| |silktassel |Shrub | |3000’-8000’, occurs as |flower bloom March – |cold-hardy shrub; |and other mammals; Provides |

| | | | |scattered individuals in|August; prefers partial |generally an |good thermal and visual |

| | | | |many different plant |summer shade in Tucson |understory component |cover |

| | | | |communities; generally |area |of pinyon-juniper | |

| | | | |to 8’ tall, rarely | |woodlands and interior| |

| | | | |reaching 15’ | |chaparral dominated by| |

| | | | | | |evergreen oaks and | |

| | | | | | |birchleaf | |

| | | | | | |mountain-mahogany | |

| |Native |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 2500-5000’; |White to pinkish flowers|Occurs on rocky hillsides|Leaves: host plant and |

|Gossypium |cotton, |shrub | |occurs in canyons, wash |bloom May-September; |or in washes or canyons; |larval food for the |

|thurberi |Thurber's | | |bottoms, and on rocky |seed capsule with fuzzy |frequent associates |splendid royal moth |

|(Thurberia |cotton | | |slopes; shrub to 7’ tall|seeds with short cottony|include desert | |

|thespesioides) | | | | |hairs. |honeysuckle, catclaw | |

| | | | | | |acacia, and burrobrush. | |

|Hymenoclea |Burrobrush, |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 1000’ – |Small inconspicuous |Understory to midstory |Offers cover and nesting |

|monogyra |single whorl |Shrub | |4000’; occurs in |flowers appear in fall, |shrub growing in sandy or|sites for wildlife in |

|(Ambrosia |burrobrush | | |valleys, flats, and |followed by winged |disturbed soils; often |otherwise sparsely |

|monogyra) | | | |strands with sandy soil;|fruits |associated with desert |vegetated landscapes |

| | | | |lanky shrub 306’ tall. | |broom, seep willow, and | |

| | | | | | |other plants that are | |

| | | | | | |tolerant of frequent | |

| | | | | | |disturbance. | |

|Hyptis emoryi |Desert |Perennial |Low |Perennial; below 5000’; |Violet to blue flowers |Attractive medium to |Flowers: important to |

| |lavender |Shrub | |occurs within desert |in clusters that may |large shrub; often a |bees, butterflies, and |

| | | | |washes, on dry rocky |bloom any time of the |component of creosotebush|hummingbirds; Seeds: |

| | | | |slopes, and in canyons; |year; very drought |scrub communities |eaten by variety of |

| | | | |medium shrub to 15’ tall|tolerant | |wildlife |

|Justicia |Red justicia,|Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 1500’- 3000’,|Drought deciduous; |Semi-frost hardy small |Flowers: hummingbirds use|

|candicans |Arizona |Shrub | |occurs within and along |attractive red, |shrub; associated |nectar Foliage: browsed |

| |water-willow | | |washes or slopes; to 3’ |sometimes yellow, |white-thorn acacia and a |by javelina |

| | | | |tall |flowers bloom spring and|wide variety of grasses | |

| | | | | |fall |and forbs | |

|Larrea tridentata|Creosote bush|Perennial |Low |Long-lived perennial; |Small yellow flowers |Medium to large shrub; |Flowers: extremely |

|var. tridentata | |Shrub | |below 4500'; inhabits |bloom Mar-April and |associated species |important for native |

| | | | |dry plains and desert |November–December, |include saguaro, |insects (22 species of |

| | | | |valleys; shrub to 10' |followed by small, fuzzy|night-blooming cereus, |native bees feed only on |

| | | | |tall |white fruit |paperflower, desert |its flowers and it |

| | | | | | |zinnia, and Christmas |supports 17 species of |

| | | | | | |cholla; sometimes |gall forming insects); |

| | | | | | |dominates extensive areas|Seeds: eaten by a variety|

| | | | | | |on bajadas and valley |of birds and other |

| | | | | | |floors. |wildlife; Provides |

| | | | | | | |valuable shelter in harsh|

| | | | | | | |landscapes. |

|Lycium andersonii|Anderson |Perennial |Low |Perennial; below 5500’; |Drought deciduous; |Alone or as understory in|Fruits: eaten by birds |

|var. andersonii |Wolfberry, |shrub | |occurs in desert flats |lavender flowers bloom |some areas; frequently |and other wildlife |

| |water jacket | | |and along desert washes;|February-April; fruits |associated with | |

| | | | |3 – 6’ tall |present late spring to |graythorn, velvet | |

| | | | | |summer |mesquite, catclaw acacia,| |

| | | | | | |and desert hackberry. | |

|Lycium fremontii |Fremont |Perennial |Low |Perennial; below 2500', |Drought deciduous; |Open areas or understory |Flowers: provides nectar |

| |Wolfberry, |shrub | |occurs in desert |small, lavender flowers |shrub in mesoriparian to |and pollen for a wide |

| |Fremont's | | |valleys, and within and |blooms year round, but |xeroriparian areas; |variety of insects; |

| |desert-thorn | | |along washes, slopes, |primarily Jan-Mar; can |associated with saltbush,|Fruits: eaten by birds |

| | | | |riparian bottomlands; |produce fruit year-round|velvet mesquite, |and other wildlife |

| | | | |shrub to 9' tall | |graythorn, desert | |

| | | | | | |hackberry, and canyon | |

| | | | | | |ragweed | |

|Mahonia |Red mahonia, |Perennial |Low-Moderate|Perennial; 3000’- 5000’,|Cold-tolerant evergreen;|Medium shrub in full sun |Flowers: provide nectar |

|haematocarpa |red barberry |shrub | |occurs in desert |yellow flowers in loose |or as understory in oak |and pollen for bees |

|(Berberis | | | |grasslands and oak |clusters bloom |woodlands; associated |Berries: eaten by birds |

|haematocarpa) | | | |woodlands; shrub to 6’ |February-May, followed |with oak, Ceanothus, |and other wildlife |

| | | | |tall. |by red berries. |juniper, sugarbush, soap |Foliage: browsed by deer,|

| | | | | | |tree. |elk, bighorn, rabbits, |

| | | | | | | |and ringtail. |

|Parthenium |Mariola |Perennial |Low |Perennial; 3000’- 6000’,|White flowers with small|Small aromatic shrub |Provides cover for small |

|incanum | |Shrub | |occurs on dry slopes in |petals bloom |occurring on well-drained|mammals and birds |

| | | | |the Sonoran |April-October |rocky hillsides; often | |

| | | | |desertscrub-Chihuhuan | |occurring with | |

| | | | |desertscrub transition | |creosotebush, desert | |

| | | | |zone; to 2’ tall | |zinnia, snakeweed, | |

| | | | | | |brittlebush, and | |

| | | | | | |a variety of cacti; very | |

| | | | | | |drought-tolerant. | |

|Rhus glabra |Smooth sumac |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 5000’- 7000’,|Small white flowers in |Large shrub standing alone|Foliage: browsed by deer|

| | |shrub | |flats and |attractive |or in | |

| | | | |forests with rich soil; |terminal clusters bloom |forest settings; requires | |

| | | | |to 20’ tall |June-August, followed by|good soil | |

| | | | | |clusters of red berries | | |

|Rhus microphylla |Littleleaf |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; generally |Greenish-white flowers |Small to medium shrub in |Fruit: eaten by birds |

| |sumac |subshrub | |3,000 - 6,500 feet; |occur in dense compound |desert grasslands and |and rodents; Leaves and |

| | | | |occurs on dry desert |spikes; hairy, |scrublands; common |twigs: browsed by deer |

| | | | |foothills, and in |red-orange fruit |associates include velvet |and small mammals |

| | | | |canyons and along washes| |mesquite, creosotebush, | |

| | | | |and valleys; shrub to | |catclaw acacia, soaptree | |

| | | | |15’ tall | |yucca, sideoats grama, and| |

| | | | | | |bush muhly | |

|Rhus ovata |Sugar bush, |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial shrub or small|Small cream-colored |Evergreen, cold-hardy, |Fruit: eaten by a wide |

| |sugar sumac |shrub | |tree; 3000-5000’; occurs|flowers appear |medium to large shrub; |variety of birds and |

| | | | |in desert canyons, |February-March, followed|grows alone or among |other wildlife; |

| | | | |mountains, and on slopes|by sticky, reddish |chaparral or scrub oak; |evergreen foliage |

| | | | |with chaparral; to 15’ |fruit. |associated with Ceanothus,|provides year-round |

| | | | |tall. | |canyon hackberry, catclaw |shelter. |

| | | | | | |acacia, velvet mesquite, | |

| | | | | | |and scrub-oak | |

| | | | | | |associations. | |

|Rhus trilobata |Three-leafed |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; 2500’- 7500’,|Yellow flowers in dense |Deciduous, attractive |Berries: eaten by small |

| |sumac, |shrub | |occurs in canyons and on|clusters bloom |shrub often as understory |mammals and birds; |

| |skunkbush | | |moutain slopes; to 10’ |March-June; red fruits |component of pinyon pine |Foliage: eaten by small |

| |sumac | | |tall. |mature in summer. |or oak woodlands. |mammals |

| | | | | | | |Bark: eaten by small |

| | | | | | | |mammals. |

|Ribes aureum var.|Wax currant, |Perennial |Moderate-Hig|Perennial; 2600-8000’; |Deciduous; fragrant |Occurs in grasslands, |Berries: eaten by |

|aureum |golden |shrub |h |occurs in mid- to |yellow flowers in spring|coniferous forests and |variety of wildlife; |

| |currant | | |high-elevation |and berries in summer; |woodlands, and riparian |Foliage: browed by large|

| | | | |grasslands and mixed |small to medium lanky |and mountain shrub |mammals. |

| | | | |deciduous and coniferous|shrub |communities | |

| | | | |woodlands; to 10’ tall | | | |

|Simmondsia |Jojoba |Perennial |Low |Perennial; 1000’-5000’; |Evergreen; inconspicuous|Small to medium shrub |Nuts: eaten by birds and|

|chinensis | |shrub | |occurs on desertscrub |greenish flower, male |scattered across upland |a wide variety of |

| | | | |habitats and along |and female flowers occur|desert areas; often |mammals including |

| | | | |washes, slopes, and |on separate plants. |associated with velvet |javelina; Foliage: eaten|

| | | | |rocky hillsides; shrub |Bloom variable from |mequite, paloverde, |by deer, bighorn sheep |

| | | | |to 7' tall |December-July; nuts |hopbush, creosotebush, |and other mammals |

| | | | | |appear May- July. |brittlebush and various | |

| | | | | | |cacti | |

|Tecoma stans |Yellow bells,|Perennial |Low |Perennial; 3,000-5,500';|Deciduous; elongated, |Medium shrub of rocky |Browsed by bighorn sheep|

| |yellow |shrub | |occurs on rocky or |serrated leaves. Bright |slopes associated with |and probably mule deer. |

| |trumpet bush | | |gravelly slopes along |yellow trumpet-shaped |plants of the Sonoran and |Carpenter bees pirate |

| | | | |desert washes; shrub |flowers May through |Chihuahaun deserts. Often |nectar from blossoms by |

| | | | |with upright form to 12'|October. |occurs with foothill |cutting into the base of|

| | | | |tall. | |paloverde and saguaro on |the flower. |

| | | | | | |hillsides. | |

|Trixis |Trixis, |Perrenial |Low |Perennial up to 5000', |Bright yellow flowers up|Rocky slopes in the |Browsed to some extent |

|californica |American |shrub | |probably long-lived up |to 3-4” |Arizona Uplands of |by cattle |

| |threefold | | |to 3' tall |in diameter |the Sonoran Desert | |

|Vauquelinia |Arizona | | |Perennial; 2500’ – |Slow-growing evergreen; |Shrub or small tree |Dense perennial foliage:|

|californica ssp. |rosewood | | |5000’, occurs on |small white flowers in |associated in canyons and |provide valuable cover |

|Californica/sonor| | | |mid-elevation canyons |clusters bloom May – |on slopes with shrub live |for wildlife |

|ensis | | | |and mountains, oak |June, followed by woody |oak, (Quercus turbinella )| |

| | | | |woodlands; shrub or |fruits that persist |and as scattered | |

| | | | |small tree to 25’ tall |through winter |individuals in grama | |

| | | | | | |grasslands with scattered | |

| | | | | | |velvet mesquite | |

|Ziziphus |Graythorn, |Perennial |Low |Perennial; 1000’-5000’; |Deciduous; tiny |Mid-sized shrub; often |Berries: eaten by birds,|

|obtusifolia var. |lotebush |shrub | |found scattered in |whitish-green blooms |associated with wolfberry,|especially white-winged |

|canescens | | | |desert uplands, and |appear May–September; |desert hackberry, catclaw |dove and Gambel's quail;|

| | | | |along washes, riparian |fruits August to January|acacia, desert |Flowers: nectar and |

| | | | |bottomlands, and | |honeysuckle, and velvet |pollen eaten by |

| | | | |mesquite bosque; to 10’ | |mesquite |honeybees, native bees, |

| | | | |tall | | |tarantula hawks, and |

| | | | | | | |other insects; Insects |

| | | | | | | |attracted to plant are |

| | | | | | | |gleaned by birds; Dense |

| | | | | | | |and thorny character |

| | | | | | | |provides shelter and |

| | | | | | | |nesting sites |

|VINES | | | | | | | |

|Clematis |Old man’s |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; below 4000’; |White flowers bloom |Often climbs shrubs and |Serves as a larval host |

|drummondii |beard, |vine | |occurs in moist open |March-September, and |trees in riparian |plant for butterflies |

| |Virgin’s | | |areas and along the |later yield fluffy, |bottomlands or thick | |

| |bower, | | |edges of riparian |white plumed seeds |vegetation where some | |

| |Drummond's | | |woodlands; woody, | |moisture available; common| |

| |Clematis | | |climbing vine can reach | |associates include netleaf| |

| | | | |heights of trellises or | |hackberry, velvet ash, and| |

| | | | |trees | |seep willow | |

|Cucurbita |Fingerleaf |Perennial |Low-Moderate|Perennial vine; below |Deciduous; large yellow |Associated with fourwing |Vines, leaves, root and |

|digitata |gourd |vine | |5000’; occurs from |blooms June-October; |saltbush and a wide |seeds: eaten by |

| | | | |low-desert valleys to |gourds mature in fall |variety of grasses and |wildlife, including |

| | | | |mid-elevation grasslands| |forbs. |javelina; |

| | | | | | | |Flowers: pollen for |

| | | | | | | |pollinators, including |

| | | | | | | |bees |

|Cucurbita palmata|Coyote melon,|Perennial |Moderate |Annual ground-hugging |Has incised palmate |Ground-hugging vine; may |Flowers visited by bees.|

|(Cucurbita |Coyote gourd |vine | |vine with trailing stems|leaves and large |be associated with datura,|Plant stems are a |

|californica) | | | |from a large root; |funnel-shaped |clumping grasses, small |reservoir for the squash|

| | | | |usually below 3000’ on |yellow-orange flowers |shrubs, or cacti. |vine borer, an |

| | | | |sandy plains, mesas, or |that appear May-August. | |economically important |

| | | | |rocky slopes; often in |Produces round, | |pest of cucurbits. |

| | | | |arroyo bottoms |white-striped gourds. | | |

|Ipomoea |Scarlet |Annual vine |Moderate |Perennial vine; 2500 - |Tubular red flowers from|Common associates include |Nectar: major food |

|hederifolia |creeper | | |6000’; occurs along |May-October; |Fremont cottonwood, |source for hummingbirds;|

|(Ipomoea coccinea| | | |desert washes, canyons | |Goodding’s willow, | |

|var. hederifolia)| | | |and rivers; 2-10’ long | |mesquite, and seep willow | |

|Maurandya |Snapdragon |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial herbaceous |Reddish pink or lilac |Common associates include |Flowers probably provide|

|antirrhiniflora |vine, roving |vine | |climbing vine with dark |blooms with whitish |wolfberry, hackberry, and |nectar and pollen for |

| |sailor | | |green arrow-shaped |throat with pink lines |burrowbrush. |insects. |

| | | | |leaves; often associated|appear from April | | |

| | | | |with rocky slopes or |through October. Fruit | | |

| | | | |wash areas where it |is a dehiscent round | | |

| | | | | |capsule. | | |

|Vitis arizonica |Arizona wild |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial vine; 2000’ - |Deciduous; greenish |Associated with riparian |Berries: eaten by a wide|

| |grape, Canyon|vine | |7500’; occurs in canyons|flower in clusters |plants, such as netleaf |variety of wildlife; |

| |grape | | |and along washes and |April-July; fruits |hackberry, Fremont |Vines and leaves: |

| | | | |rivers; to 30’ long |July-August. |cottonwood, and velvet ash|browsed by mammals, |

| | | | | | | |including javelina; |

| | | | | | | |provide bird nesting |

| | | | | | | |material; Flowers: |

| | | | | | | |nectar and polllen |

|CACTI & | | | | | | | |

|SUCCULENTS | | | | | | | |

|Cylindropuntia |Arizona |Perennial |Low |Perennial; 1000’ – |Blooms from May-June; |Associated with |Fruits: eaten by deer, |

|arbuscula, |Pencil cholla|cactus | |4000’; occurs in open |fruit present in fall |desertscrub vegetation |javelina, small mammals |

|(Opuntia | | | |areas on rocky slopes |and may persist through |including other cholla |and birds; Seeds: eaten |

|arbuscula ) | | | |and bajadas; to 9’tall. |winter. |species, saguaro, triangle|by birds including |

| | | | | | |bursage, mesquite, and |mourning dove and |

| | | | | | |paloverde. |Gamble’s quail; Flowers |

| | | | | | | |provide nectar and |

| | | | | | | |pollen for bees. |

| | | | | | | |Provides sheltered sites|

| | | | | | | |for small mammal |

| | | | | | | |burrows. |

|Cylindropuntia |Christmas |Perennial |Low |Perennial; 1000’ – |Small yellowish-greenish|Associated with |Fruits and seeds: eaten |

|leptocaulis, |cholla, |cactus | |5000’; occurs in open |blooms from May-June; |desertscrub vegetation |by birds and mammals |

|(Opuntia |desert | | |areas on rocky slopes |bright red fruit in fall|including other cholla |including deer and |

|leptocaulis ) |Christmas | | |and bajadas; to 4’ tall |may persist through |species, saguaro, triangle|javelina; Nectar and |

| |cactus | | | |winter |bursage, mesquite, and |pollen: eaten by bees |

| | | | | | |paloverde |and nectar-eating birds.|

| | | | | | | |Provides protective nest|

| | | | | | | |sites for cactus wren, |

| | | | | | | |curve-billed thrasher, |

| | | | | | | |and other birds. |

|Ferocactus |Candy barrel |Perennial |Low |Long-lived, to 11' tall,|Flowers July-September, |Mexquite and mixed palo |Pollen and nectar |

|wislizeni |cactus |Cactus | |but mostly less than 6' |very persistent, waxy, |verdecactus, variable |utilized by a variety of|

|(Echinocactus | | | |tall. Up to 4500' |yellow fruit |soils |insects; fruit used by |

|wislizeni) | | | | | | |ground squirrels. |

|Nolina microcarpa|Beargrass, |Perennial |Low |Perennial; 3000-6000’; |Evergreen; small creamy |Not a true grass but |Plant: larval plant for |

| |sacahuista |Lily | |occurs in open areas on |white flowers form showy|resembles a coarse |Melinus hairstreak |

| | | | |rocky slopes and |plumes on stalks that |bunchgrass; usually in the|butterfly; Flowers: |

| | | | |bajadas; to 3’ tall, |bloom in May-June; |open rather than in |provide nectar and |

| | | | |flowering stalk to 8’ |coarse leaves are |understory; often found |pollen for bees and |

| | | | | |somewhat abrasive |with Arizona rosewood, |butterflies; Foliage: |

| | | | | | |turpentine bush, ocotillo;|sometimes browsed when |

| | | | | | |sotol, manzanita, and oak |other food scarce |

|Opuntia |prickly pear |Perennial |Low |Perennial; to 6500’; |Large rose-like flowers |Occurs in open desertscrub|Fruits: eaten by deer, |

|phaeacantha | |cactus | |occurs in desertscrub |appear April June, with |and grassland habitats; |javelina, small mammals |

| | | | |habitats on bajadas and |bright red fruits |common associates include |and birds; Seeds: eaten |

| | | | |alongside canyons and |maturing July-August; |mesquite, paloverde, other|by birds including |

| | | | |washes; generally to 3’ |some fruits persist |cacti, creosotebush, |mourning dove and |

| | | | |tall |through most of winter |triangle bursage, and |Gamble’s quail; Flowers:|

| | | | | | |fluffgrass. |nectar and pollen for |

| | | | | | | |bees; Sheltered sites |

| | | | | | | |for small mammal burrows|

|Yucca elata |Soaptree |Perennial |Low |Perennial; 1500’ – |Evergreen; dense cluster|Occurs in open desertscrub|Flower stalks: browsed |

| |yucca |shrub | |6000’; occurs in open |of yellowish-white |and grasslands; common |by mammals including |

| | | | |areas on rocky slopes |flowers on tall stalk |associates include |mule deer and javelina; |

| | | | |and bajadas; to 15’ tall|bloom May-June; fruits |ocotillo, sotol, oak, and |Seeds eaten by birds and|

| | | | | |mature in summer |a wide variety of grasses |other wildlife; Larval |

| | | | | | |and forbs. |plant for butterflies; |

| | | | | | | |Pollinated by symbiotic |

| | | | | | | |yucca moth |

|PERENNIAL | | | | | | | |

|FORBS/SUB | | | | | | | |

|SHRUBS | | | | | | | |

|Allionia |Trailing |Perennial |Low |Perennial forb; to |Vibrant rose-pink |Often associated with |Provides temporary cover|

|incarnata |windmills, |forb | |6500’; occurs in open |flowers present |desert strand species |and moist microsites for|

| |trailing | | |areas including sandy |April-October |including clammyweed, |insects and small |

| |four-o'clock | | |washes and valley | |datura, slimpod senna, and|mammals |

| | | | |bottoms; trailing plant | |burrobrush. Also found | |

| | | | |to 6” high and 24 “ wide| |along in disturbed | |

| | | | | | |roadside areas and in | |

| | | | | | |four-wing saltbush | |

| | | | | | |associations. | |

|Ambrosia |Canyon |Perennial |Moderate |Medium to large |Indistinct |Found in association with |Plant has little use as |

|ambrosioides |ragweed |Subshrub | |perennial shrub in |yellowish-green flowers |mesquite, paloverde, |forage; leaves are |

| | | | |washes and strand areas |in a terminal spike |burrobrush, datura, |consumed by leaf |

| | | | |below 4,500'. Plants to |appear Feb-May. Fruit |seepwillow, and |beetles; wind |

| | | | |about 6' tall. |has cocklebur form. |brickellia. |pollinated, does not |

| | | | | | | |provide a nectar source |

| | | | | | | |for insects. |

|Anemopsis |Yerba Mansa |Perennial |High |Perennial forb; |Large white flowers |Often occurs in mesquite |Provides temporary cover|

|californica | |forb | |2000-5000’; colonizes |borne on tall stalks |bosques; associated with |and moist microsites for|

| | | | |moist alkaline soils in |present from May-Aug; |other saline-tolerant |insects and small |

| | | | |meadows and alongside |highly aromatic leaves; |plants including saltgrass|mammals |

| | | | |streams and cienegas; to|plants spread by stolons|and alkali sacaton | |

| | | | |20” tall |and can form extensive | | |

| | | | | |groundcover | | |

|Aquilegia |Columbine, |Perennial |High |Perennial forb; |Showy yellow flower |Associated with grasses, |Flowers: provide nectar |

|chrysantha |yellow |forb | |3000’-11000’, occurs in |appears April-September |forbs and other |and pollen for insects |

| | | | |shady, moist canyons and| |wildflowers in rich soils |and hummingbirds; Seeds:|

| | | | |forest associations; to | |along streams or other |eaten by birds and small|

| | | | |4’ tall | |moist areas |mammals |

|Baileya |Desert |Perennial |Low |Annual or short lived |Bright yellow flowers at|Associated with desert |Seeds: eaten by birds |

|multiradiata |marigold |forb | |perennial; below 5000’; |ends of |broom, desert globemallow,|including Inca dove, and|

| | | | |occurs on sandy and |leafless stems appear |lupine, and fluffgrass |ants; Insects on plant |

| | | | |gravelly slopes and |March-October when | |gleaned by birds |

| | | | |desert flats, and along |moisture available | | |

| | | | |roads in sunny open | | | |

| | | | |areas; to 2’ tall | | | |

| |Brickelbush, |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial shrub; |Plant is sticky, with |Associated with mesquite, |Seeds consumed by |

|Brickellia |Coulter's |Subshrub | |2,000-4,000'; along |brittle stems; produces |desert hackberry, grasses;|Gambel's Quail and |

|coulteri |brickel bush | | |washes, canyons, and dry|an inconspicuous, |often associated with |probably other birds. |

| | | | |rocky slopes. |slender flowerhead of |plants on tops of banks. | |

| | | | | |yellow-green rayless | | |

| | | | | |flowers. | | |

|Dichelostemma |Bluedicks |Perennial |Low |Perennial (bulb); below |Beautiful lavender |Prefers gravelly soils; in|Bulbs: highly valuable |

|capitatum | |forb | |5000’, occurs on mesas, |flower at the top of a |our area, often found in |forage for small and |

|(Dichelostemma | | | |open slopes, and |slender stem, blooms |association with |large mammals |

|pulchellum ) | | | |plains; to 30” tall |February-May |grasses and low stature | |

| | | | | | |shrubs including acacia, | |

| | | | | | |mariola, and creosotebush.| |

|Dicliptera |Arizona |Perennial |Low |Perennial forb or |Densely branching, erect|Associated with mesquite |Flowers probably provide|

|resupinata |foldwing |forb | |subshrub to 2' in |to spreading form; |bosque, graythorn, |nectar for insects and |

| | | | |height; on rocky slopes,|lanceolate leaves; |wolfberry, and desert |hummingbirds. |

| | | | |in canyons, and along |red-violet blooms |hackberry. | |

| | | | |wash embankments between|subtended by clasping | | |

| | | | |3,000 and 6,000'. |bracts occur between May| | |

| | | | | |and October. | | |

|Epilobium canum |Hummingbird |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial; |Long-tubular scarlet to |Associated with streamside|Provides nectar for |

|ssp. latifolium |trumpet |forb | |suffrutescent; to about |red flowers from June to|or hillside vegetation |hummingbirds. |

|(Zauschneria | | | |20" height; damp places |December. |including deergrass, | |

|californica ) | | | |and on rocky slopes and | |agaves, and juniper and | |

| | | | |in canyons from | |oaks. | |

| | | | |2,500-7.000'. | | | |

|Glandularia |Goodding’s |Perennial |Low |Annual or short-lived |Purple clusters of |Occurs in open areas with |Flowers: nectar and |

|gooddingii |verbena, |forb | |perennial forb; below |flowers bloom from |clammyweed, desert |pollen attract |

|(Verbena |southwest | | |5000’; occurs in open |Feb-Oct; easily |marigold, |butterflies and moths; |

|gooddingii) |mock vervain | | |canyons and along slopes|propogated via cuttings |Arizona blazing star, |Good groundcover that |

| | | | |and |and self-seeding |windmills, and datura. |provides |

| | | | |washes with sandy soils;| | |temporary shelter and |

| | | | |to 2’ tall | | |moist, resting |

| | | | |and 4’ wide | | |microsites for insects, |

| | | | | | | |birds, and small mammals|

|Lobelia |Cardinal |Perennial |Moderate-Hig|Perennial forb; |Tubular bright red |Associated with other |Flowers: provide nectar |

|cardinalis |flower |forb |h |3000’-7500’; occurs on |flower bloom |streamside plants, |for hummingbirds and |

| | | | |streamsides and in |June-October |including giant sacaton, |insects |

| | | | |cienegas; to 5’ tall | |deergrass, Fremont | |

| | | | | | |cottonwood, and Gooding’s | |

| | | | | | |willow | |

|Machaeranthera |Tanseyleaf |Perennial |Low |Perennial forb; |Handsome “daisy-like” |Usually open areas with |Provides temporary cover|

|tanacetifolia |tansyaster, |forb | |1000’-8000’; occurs in |bluish-purple rays |other species that pioneer|and moist microsites for|

|(Aster |purple aster | | |disturbed soils along |surrounding yellow disk |disturbed and |insects and small |

|tanacetifolius) | | | |washes, fields, paths, |flowers, blooms June – |sandy soils including |mammals |

| | | | |and roads; to 16” tall |October |windmills, | |

| | | | | | |clammyweed, and desert | |

| | | | | | |marigold | |

| | | | | | | | |

|Penstemon parryi |Penstemon, |Perennial |Low |Perennial forb; |Tubular pink flower |Associated with a wide |Flowers:provide nectar |

| |Parry, |forb | |1500-5000’; occurs in |appear March-July |variety of desert-adapted |and pollen for insects |

| |beardtongue | | |well-drained soils on | |shrubs, grasses and forbs;|and hummingbirds |

| | | | |grassy slopes, along | |frequent associates | |

| | | | |canyons and roadsides; | |include velvet mesquite, | |

| | | | |to 4’ tall | |paloverde, lupine, desert | |

| | | | | | |globemallow, and | |

| | | | | | |Goodding’s verbena | |

|Penstemon |Desert |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial forb; |Tubular red flower |Associated with a wide |Flowers: provide nectar |

|pseudospectabilis|Penstemon |forb | |2000’-7000’; occurs on |appears February-May |variety of desert-adapted |and pollen for insect |

| | | | |arid slopes, and along | |shrubs, grasses and forbs;|and hummingbirds |

| | | | |canyons and desert | |frequent associates | |

| | | | |washes; to 4’ tall | |include, velvet mesquite, | |

| | | | | | |soaptree yucca, and | |

| | | | | | |spidergrass | |

|Rumex |Canaigre dock|Perennial |Moderate |Perennial forb; to |Small green flowers |Occurs in sandy soils |Seeds, leaves, tubers: |

|hymenosepalus | |forb | |6000’; occurs in sandy |appear on spikes from |along with paloverde, |eaten by a wide variety |

| | | | |soils in valley floors |March-April; followed by|velvet mesquite, four-wing|of wildlife |

| | | | |and along washes; |clustered pinkish, |saltbush, and Mexican | |

| | | | |clustered leaves to 12’ |winged fruits; roots |elderberry | |

| | | | |with flowering stem to |form a stout tuber | | |

| | | | |4’ tall | | | |

|Ruellia nudiflora|Violet wild |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial forb; |Large purple flowers |Associated with mesquite, |Provides temporary cover|

|var. nudiflora |petunia |forb | |2500-4000’; occurs in |present May-Oct |graythorn, desert |and moist microsites for|

| | | | |moist woodlands along | |hackberry, wolfberry, and |insects and small |

| | | | |streams and washes; to | |scarlet creeper |mammals |

| | | | |24’ tall | | | |

|Senna hirsuta |Slimpod |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial forb; 2500- |Bright yellow flower |Associated with desert |Pollen: collected by |

|var. glaberima |senna, woolly|forb | |5500’; occurs in sandy |clusters in July-Sept; |strand species including |insects including |

|(Cassia | | | |washes and disturbed |followed by long, |clammyweed, datura, |bumblebees and |

|leptocarpa var. |senna | | |areas such as roadsides;|slender pods |windmills, Hymenoclea |butterflies; Seeds and |

|glaberrima) | | | |to 3’ tall | |monogyra |pods: eaten by a wide |

| | | | | | | |variety of wildlife |

|Sphaeralcea |Desert |Perennial |Low |Perennial; below 3500'; |Attractive flowers vary |Frequently associated with|Flowers: provide nectar |

|ambigua ssp. |globemallow, |forb | |occurs in sandy flats |in color from white to |prickly pear, |and pollen for insects |

|Ambigua |apricot | | |and washes, and along |orange, |creosotebush, and other a |including native bees, |

| |globemallow | | |roadsides; to 3' tall |salmon, lavender, or |variety of other Sonoran |and eaten by desert |

| | | | | |pinkish; flowers |desertscrub plants that |tortoise, birds, and |

| | | | | |throughout year when |grow in the |other wildlife; Leaves |

| | | | | |moisture is available; |open and along roadsides |and twigs: provide |

| | | | | |woody stem | |browse for bighorn sheep|

| | | | | | | |and |

| | | | | | | |other mammals; Larval |

| | | | | | | |food plant for |

| | | | | | | |butterflies |

|Zinnia acerosa |Desert zinnia|Perennial |Low |Perennial; 2000’ – |Evergreen; white to pale|Frequently ssociated with |Flower petals: eaten by |

|(Zinnia pumila) | |Subshrub | |5000’, occurs in dry |yellow flowers bloom |prickly pear, |quail, finches, |

| | | | |valleys and on rocky |March-October when |creosotebush, triangle |sparrows, and other |

| | | | |slopes; to 10” tall |moisture is adequate |bursage, fluffgrass, and |birds; Seeds: eaten by |

| | | | | | |other Sonoran desertscrub |harvester ants, which in|

| | | | | | |plants that grow in open, |turn attract horned |

| | | | | | |exposed sites |lizards; Insects on |

| | | | | | | |plant gleaned by birds |

|ANNUAL | | | | | | | |

|WILDFLOWERS | | | | | | | |

|Bowlesia incana |Bowlesia, |Annual forb |Low |Annual forb; to 3000’; |Tiny, seldom-noticed |Abundant after winter |Provides temporary cover|

| |hoary | | |occurs along sandy |flowers appear |rains along with other |and moist microsites for|

| |bowlesia | | |washes and woodlands; |March-April; |spring ephemerals and |insects and small |

| | | | |trailing stems to 20” |shade-tolerant |annual grasses; forms a |mammals |

| | | | |long | |carpet under velvet | |

| | | | | | |mesquite, paloverde, | |

| | | | | | |catclaw acacia, and | |

| | | | | | |wolfberry. | |

|Datura wrightii |Datura, |Annual or |Low |Annual or perennial |Large white tubular |Often associated with |Nectar and pollen: |

| |sacred, |Perennial | |forb; 7006000’; occurs |flowers present May |desert strand species |utilized by bees, moths |

| |jimsonweed, |forb | |in open disturbed areas |–Oct, followed by big |including clammyweed, |and other insects; Birds|

| |sacred | | |including strands and |spiny fruits |slimpod senna, and |forage on insects |

| |thorn-apple | | |valley bottoms; to 5’ | |burrobrush. Also present |attracted by flowers |

| | | | |tall and 7’ wide | |in riparian buffers, | |

| | | | | | |disturbed roadside areas, | |

| | | | | | |and | |

| | | | | | |saltbush associations | |

|Eriastrum |Miniature |Annual forb |Low |Annual to 4 1/2"; |Pale bluish to white |Associated with subshrubs,|Provides nectar for |

|diffusum |woollystar | | |1,000-5,500'; sandy |tubular flowers to 1/2" |cacti, and forbs in |insects. |

| | | | |areas of deserts and |long on bristle-tipped |Sonoran desertscrub and | |

| | | | |mesas. |heads appear between |semidesert grassland | |

| | | | | |March and June. |habitats. | |

|Eschscholzia |Mexican Gold |Annual forb |Low |Annual forb; below |Bright orange flowers |Abundant after winter |Provides temporary cover|

|californica ssp. |Poppy, | | |4,500’; occurs in dry , |appear from mid-Feb to |rains along with Gordon’s |and moist microsites for|

|Mexicana |California | | |gravelly or sandy |May; useful as a quick |bladderpod, lupine, |insects and small |

|(Eschscholtzia |poppy | | |places, often beside |soil stabilizer |Phacelia spp., and owl’s |mammals |

|mexicana) | | | |washes; to 16 “ tall |following disturbance |clover | |

|Kallstroemia |Arizona poppy|Annual forb |Low |Summer annual; spreading|Flowers bright orange |Late summer bloomer |Fowers visited by |

|grandiflora | | | |to 3'; |with a red center appear|responds to summer rains. |insects. |

| | | | |open plains, deserts, |between July and |Common along | |

| | | | |wash strand areas, and |October. Leaves and |roadsides; occurs with | |

| | | | |desert slopes. |stems hairy. |tansyaster (Machaeranthera| |

| | | | | | |sp.), mesquite, and | |

| | | | | | |grasses. | |

|Lesquerella |Gordon's |Annual or |Moderate |Annual forb; 100-5000’; |Profuse yellow flowers |Abundant after winter |Pods eaten by large and |

|gordonii var. |bladderpod |Perennial | |occurs in |appear Feb-May; round |rains along |small mammals, birds, |

|gordonii | |forb | |sandy open places; to 16”|pea-size pods follow; |with Mexican gold poppy, |and other wildlife |

| | | | |tall |useful as a quick soil |lupine, Phacelia spp., and| |

| | | | | |stabilizer following |owl’s clover | |

| | | | | |disturbance | | |

|Lupinus |Coulter's |Annual forb |Moderate |Annual forb to 16" |Pale blue to violet |Abundant after winter |Flowers: provide nectar:|

|sparsiflorus |lupine | | |height; below 4,500' on |flowers from January to|rains along with other |eaten by bees and |

|ssp. mohavensis | | | |slopes and mesas on |May. Improves soil |spring ephemerals, |butterflies. |

| | | | |sandy soils. |quality through |including Mexican gold | |

| | | | | |nitrogen fixation. |poppy, Gordon’s | |

| | | | | | |bladderpod, Cryptantha | |

| | | | | | |spp., bowlesia and | |

| | | | | | |purplemat | |

|Nama demissum |Purplemat |Annual forb |Moderate |Annual forb to 8"; desert|Red-purple flowers |Occurs with other spring |Flower are visited by |

|var. demissum | | | |flats and washes; below |between February and |annuals including Mexican |insects. |

| | | | |3,500'. |May; may carpet the |gold poppy, lupines, | |

| | | | | |desert when rains are |Cryptantha spp., and owl | |

| | | | | |abundant. |clover. | |

|Phacelia distans|Blue-eyed |Annual or |Moderate |Annual forb; to 5000’; |Deep blue, bell-shaped |Abundant after winter |Nectar and pollen: eaten|

| |scorpionweed, |Perennial | |occurs in dry, gravelly |flowers unfurl from a |rains along with other |by insects Provides |

| |distant |forb | |or sandy places, often |coiled spike from |spring ephemerals |temporary cover for |

| |phacelia | | |alongside desert washes; |Feb-April; useful as a |including Mexican gold |small mammals |

| | | | |to 12” tall |quick soil stabilizer |poppy, Gordon’s | |

| | | | | |following disturbance |bladderpod, Cryptantha | |

| | | | | | |spp., bowlesia and | |

| | | | | | |purplemat | |

|Platystemon |Creamcups | | |Annual forb; 1500-4500’; |Cream-colored |Associated with a wide |Provides temporary cover|

|californicus | | | |occurs in open areas of |“poppy-like” flowers |variety of forbs and |and moist microsites for|

| | | | |moist, gravelly soil, |present March-May; does|grasses in open, moist |insects and small |

| | | | |primarily along streams |not tolerate heavy |habitats, such as |mammals |

| | | | |and washes and in moist |shade |grassland meadows and | |

| | | | |meadows; to 15” tall | |streamside edges. | |

| | | | | | |Associated plants include | |

| | | | | | |Fremont cottonwood, seep | |

| | | | | | |willow and various grasses| |

| | | | | | |and forbs | |

|Polansia |Western |Annual forb |Moderate |Annual forb; 1000-6500’; |Clusters of white to |Often associated with |Flowers: provide nectar:|

|dodecandra |Clammyweed | | |occurs in |pinkish flowers |desert strand |eaten by bees and |

| | | | |wash channels and other |borne on tall stalks |species including datura, |butterflies |

| | | | |sandy areas 0f frequent |from May-Oct; strongly |slimpod senna, windmills, | |

| | | | |disturbance; to 30” tall |scented leaves and |and burrobrush. | |

| | | | | |stems | | |

| | | | | | | | |

|Salvia |Chia |Annual forb |Low |Annual forb; to 3000’; |Whorls of tubular blue |Occurs in open areas |Seeds: valuable |

|columbariae var.| | | |occurs in |flowers on |subject to |high-protein food source|

| | | | |open, exposed areas along|tall stems appear from |frequent disturbance with |for a wide variety of |

|columbariage | | | |sandy |March - |other annuals, including |wildlife; Flowers: |

| | | | |washes, dry slopes, |May; seeds follow |Mexican gold poppy, |provide nectar for bees |

| | | | |woodland hillsides and |flowers in summer; |Gordon’s bladderpod, |and butterflies |

| | | | |gravelly disturbed sites,|requires full sun; |Cryptantha spp., and | |

| | | | |such as roadsides; to 60"|readily |annual grasses | |

| | | | |tall with sufficient |self-sowing | | |

| | | | |moisture | | | |

|GRASSES | | | | | | | |

|Aristida |Spidergrass |Perennial |Low |Tufted perennial grass; |Long drooping panicles |Associated with Sonoran |Leaves and seeds: |

|ternipes | |grass | |2,500– 5,500’; occurs on |lend a |desertscrub plant |browsed by large and |

| | | | |rocky and sandy slopes |delicate feature to the|communities, often with |small mammals; Provides|

| | | | |and often along roadsides|landscape; flowers |paloverde, velvet |nesting materials for |

| | | | | |mostly Aug–Nov but |mesquite, cacti, and |birds and small mammals |

| | | | |and other frequently |sometimes in the spring|various forbs | |

| | | | |disturbed | |and other grasses | |

| | | | |areas; to 3’ tall | | | |

|Bothriochloa |Cane |Perennial |Moderate |Tufted perennial; |Spikelet with dense, |Associated plants include |Leaves: considered good |

|barbinodis |beardgrass |bunchgrass | |1,000-6000’; |long hairs blooms |velvet |forage for grazing |

|(Andropogon | | | |occurs on rocky and sandy|Apr-Oct; attractive |mesquite, paloverde, |mammals when green; |

|barbinoides) | | | |slopes |“fluffy” appearance; |creosotebush, triangle |Seeds: eaten by mammals |

| | | | |and in floodplains, |extremely drought- |bursage, cacti, and a wide|and birds; Serves as |

| | | | |desert uplands, |resistant |variety of forbs and other|nesting materials |

| | | | |and disturbed roadside | |grasses |and cover for birds and |

| | | | |areas; to 5’ tall | | |small mammals |

|Bouteloua |Needle grama |Annual |Low |Low, tufted, annual grass;|One-sided raceme of |Associated with Sonoran |Leaves and seeds: |

|aristidoides | |tufted grass| |to 6000’; occurs on dry |flowers appearing in |desertscrub and |utilized by birds and |

| | | | |mesas, and in and along |spring, summer, or |xeroriparian plant |small mammals |

| | | | |washes and disturbed |fall, depending upon |communities, often with | |

| | | | |areas; to 6 inches tall |rainfall; useful as a |paloverde, velvet | |

| | | | | |quick soil stabilizer |mesquite, cacti, and | |

| | | | | |following disturbance |various forbs and other | |

| | | | | | |grasses | |

|Bouteloua |Sideoats |Perennial |Low |Tufted perennial grass; to|Raceme of hanging |Associated plants include |Seeds: eaten by birds |

|curtipendula |grama |tufted grass| |7,000’, occurs on rocky |spikelets bloom from |oak, juniper, velvet |and small mammals; |

| | | | |slopes, grasslands, and in|summer to early fall |mesquite, fairy duster, |Leaves: considered |

| | | | |woodlands and forest | |creosotebush, triangle |excellent forage for |

| | | | |openings; 1-2' tall | |bursage, cacti, and a |grazing mammals when |

| | | | | | |variety of forbs and other|green |

| | | | | | |grasses | |

|Bouteloua |Rothrock |Perennial |Low |Short-lived perennial |One-sided raceme of |Associated with Sonoran |Leaves: are valuable |

|rothrockii |grama |tufted grass| |grass; 2,300-5,500’; |flowers arranged on |desertscrub and |forage for grazing |

| | | | |occurs in scattered clumps|curving spikelets |xeroriparian plant |mammals due to drought |

| | | | |on dry rocky hillsides and|bloom in warm season; |communities, often with |resistance, but not as |

| | | | |sandy mesas; 10-36"tall |very hardy and |paloverde, velvet |good as other grama |

| | | | | |drought-resistant |mesquite, cacti, and |species; Seeds: eaten by|

| | | | | | |various forbs and other |birds and small mammals;|

| | | | | | |grasses. |Provides cover and |

| | | | | | | |nesting materials for |

| | | | | | | |birds and small mammals |

|Dasyochloa |Fluffgrass, |Perennial |Low |Low densely-tufted |Short spikelets bloom |Associated with Sonoran |Seeds: eaten by mammals |

|pulchella |low woolly |Grass | |perennial grass; under |spring, summer and |desertscrub plant |and birds; Leaves: not |

|(Erioneuronpulche|grass | | |5500’; occurs on dry, |fall; abundant in |communities; often with |utilized by large |

|llum, Tridens | | | |rocky slopes and desert |overgrazed lands |paloverde, velvet |grazers but utilized by |

|pulchellus) | | | |flats; in scattered clumps| |mesquite, cacti, desert |small mammals and desert|

| | | | |less than 6” tall | |zinnia, and |tortoise; Provides |

| | | | | | |various forbs and other |nesting materials for |

| | | | | | |grasses. |birds and small mammals |

|Distichlis |Desert |Perennial |Moderate |Low-growing perennial; up |Warm season flowers in|Occurs near riparian areas|Leaves and seeds: |

|stricta |saltgrass |turfgrass | |to 7000'; occurs on |dense spikes; spreads |and at the edges of |browsed by large and |

| | | | |alkaline and saline soil; |by stolons and forms |mesquite bosques; |small mammals but |

| | | | |8-15" tall |dense turfgrass that |associated with other |considered poor forage |

| | | | | |is a good native |saline-tolerant plants |for cattle; Provides |

| | | | | |alternative to the |including yerba mansa and |nesting materials for |

| | | | | |invasive Bermudagrass |alkali sacaton |birds and small mammals |

|Hilaria belangeri|Curly-mesquit|Perennial |Moderate |Tufted perennial to about |Flowers mostly from |Associated with gramas |Leaves: considered |

|var. belangeri |e |tufted grass| |12"; occurs on rocky |August to November. |(Bouteloua spp.), |excellent forage for |

|(Anthephora | | | |slopes, dry hillsides, and|Most palatable of the |three-awn (Aristida spp.),|livestock and deer. |

|belangeri) | | | |sandy plains from |Hilarias for forage. |tanglehead, bush muhly, |Provides nesting |

| | | | |1,500-6,000 feet. | |and other grasses. |materials for birds and |

| | | | | | | |small mammals; |

|Leptochloa dubia |Green |Annual grass|Moderate |Tufted perennial; |Large drooping flower |Associated with Sonoran |Leaves and seeds: |

| |sprangletop | | |2500’-6000’; coarse soils |spikes in spring and |desertscrub and grassland |valuable forage for by |

| | | | |from bottomlands to |summer; bluish green |plant communities, often |large and small mammals;|

| | | | |uplands and hills, most |leaves |with paloverde, velvet |Provides nesting |

| | | | |common in higher | |mesquite, cacti, and |materials for birds and |

| | | | |elevations; 2-3’ tall | |various forbs and other |small mammals; Sometimes|

| | | | | | |grasses |harvested as hay |

|Muhlenbergia |Bush muhly |Perennial |Moderate |Tufted perennial grass; |Flowers in numerous |Associated plants include |Leaves: excellent forage|

|porteri | |tufted grass| |2000-6000’; occurs on dry |delicate panicles |velvet mesquite, |for livestock, deer and |

| | | | |mesas and rocky slopes;; |blooming Aug–Oct; |paloverde, creosotebush, |pronghorn; Seeds: eaten |

| | | | |2’– 4’ tall and 3’ wide |shade-tolerant |triangle bursage, cacti, |by mammals and birds; |

| | | | | | |and a variety of forbs and|Serves as nesting |

| | | | | | |other grasses; often seen |materials and cover for |

| | | | | | |growing under the |birds and small mammals |

| | | | | | |protection of shrubs | |

|Muhlenbergia |Deergrass |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial bunchgrass; |Tall, dense, |Associated plant include |Leaves: considered good |

|rigens | |bunchgrass | |2000-7500', occurs on |compressed spikelets |Fremont cottonwood, velvet|forage for grazing |

| | | | |woodland slopes, and in |bloom in the warm |mesquite, oak, velvet ash,|mammals when green, but |

| | | | |canyons and along water |season; attractive |and a wide variety of |poor when dry; Seeds: |

| | | | |courses; 25' tall |drooping leaves |shrubs, forbs and other |eaten by mammals and |

| | | | | |provide a good |grasses |birds; Serves as nesting|

| | | | | |alternative to the | |materials and cover for |

| | | | | |invasive fountaingrass| |birds and small mammals |

|Panicum obtusum |Vine mesquite|Perennial |Moderate |Perennial bunchgrass; |Flowers May - Oct; |Occurs in hydro- and |Seeds: eaten by a wide |

| | |tufted grass| |1000’-6000’; occurs along |bluish-green leaves; |mesoriparian plant |variety of wildlife |

| | | | |streams, roadsides, and |spreads by stolons |communities; frequent |including birds; Leaves:|

| | | | |moist lowlands; to 30” |forming dense stands |associates include Fremont|considered good forage |

| | | | |tall |that are useful in |cottonwood, Goodding’s |for grazing mammals when|

| | | | | |erosion control |willow, velvet ash, |green; Provides nesting |

| | | | | | |netleaf hackberry, and |materials for birds and |

| | | | | | |seep willow |small mammals |

|Setaria |Plains |Perennial |Moderate |Tufted perennial grass; |Dense spike-like |Associated plants velvet |Leaves: considered |

|macrostachya |bristlegrass,|bunchgrass | |2000 – 7000’; occurs on |panicle of flowers |mesquite, paloverde, giant|relatively poor forage |

| |large-spike | | |slopes and along washes, |with stiff hairs |sacaton, graythorn, and a |for grazing mammals; |

| |bristlegrass | | |often at the edge of tree |blooms May–Oct; |variety of forbs and other|Seeds and foliage: eaten|

| | | | |canopies or disturbed |provides a good |grasses |by birds and small |

| | | | |roadsides; 1 -4’ tall |alternative to the | |mammals; Provides cover |

| | | | | |invasive fountaingrass| |and nesting materials |

| | | | | | | |for small mammals |

|Sporobolus |Alkali |Perennial |Moderate |Dense, tall perennial |Large spreading |Associated with other |Leaves: though tough are|

|airoides |sacaton |bunchgrass | |bunchgrass; 2500’ – 6500’;|panicle of flowers |riparian and |considered valuable |

| | | | |occurs in and along sandy |bloom May - Oct; |saline-tolerant plants |browse, especially where|

| | | | |valleys and washes, and |tolerant of alkaline |including Fremont |alternatives are |

| | | | |riparian bottomlands; 2 - |and saline soils |cottonwood, velvet |lacking; Seeds: eaten by|

| | | | |4’ tall | |mesquite, desert |mammals and birds; |

| | | | | | |saltgrass, and yerba mansa|Provides cover in |

| | | | | | | |otherwise open |

| | | | | | | |landscapes |

|Sporobolus |Sand |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial bunchgrass; |Slender, erect flower |Associated plants include |Seeds: eaten by numerous|

|cryptandrus |dropseed, |bunchgrass | |150-7000’, occurs on |panicle blooms July – |velvet mesquite, |birds including wild |

| |spike | | |upland slopes and within |October; highly |four-winged saltbush, |turkey, and small |

| |dropseed | | |floodplains with sandy |adaptable to diverse |giant sacaton, alkali |mammals; Leaves: |

| | | | |soil; to 3’ tall |environmental |sacaton, and desert |considered good forage |

| | | | | |conditions and |saltgrass |for grazing mammals when|

| | | | | |valuable for erosion | |green |

| | | | | |control | | |

|Sporobolus |Giant |Perennial |Moderate |Perennial bunchgrass; |Large spreading |Associated with other |Leaves: considered good |

|wrightii |sacaton, big |bunchgrass | |2000’–5000’; occurs in |panicle of tiny |riparian plants including |forage for grazing |

| |sacaton | | |riparian floodplains and |flowers bloom May - |Fremont cottonwood, |mammals when green; |

| | | | |along slopes and sandy |October |Goodding’s willow, velvet |Seeds: eaten by mammals |

| | | | |washes; 3 – 6.5’ tall | |mesquite, graythorn, |and birds; Provides |

| | | | | | |buttonbush, and deergrass |nesting materials and |

| | | | | | | |cover for birds and |

| | | | | | | |small mammals |

|Vulpia octoflora |Sixweeks |Annual grass|Low |Short-lived annual grass; |Lush spring growth |Associated with Sonoran |Leaves and seeds: |

|(Festuca |fescue | | |up to 5,500’; widespread |after summer rains; |desertscrub and |browsed by large and |

|octoflora) | | | |on rocky slopes; generally|useful as a quick soil|xeroriparian plant |small mammals |

| | | | |to 12”, occasionally to |stabilizer following |communities, often with | |

| | | | |20” tall |disturbance |paloverde, velvet | |

| | | | | | |mesquite, cacti, and | |

| | | | | | |various forbs and other | |

| | | | | | |grasses including desert | |

| | | | | | |strand species | |

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