Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Shrubby
Desert
Mallow
Blossom Sun
Abutilon incanum
Indian
Mallow
White
Sun
w/Purple
Low
Sh
6’ x
6’
2000Full sun, butterfly host,
4000’,
semi-evergreen, white
Santa
and pink blossoms
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Abutilon mollicomum
Sonoran
mallow
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
5’ x
2’
2000’ 4500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Huge fuzzy white leaves,
unusual Abutilon sp.,
upright grown habit,
butterfly larval
Abutilon palmeri
Palmer
Mallow,
Indian
Mallow
Yellow
Sun,
AftSh
Low
Sm Sh 3’ x
3’
10003000',
Pinal
County
Native Central
Arizona
Tough drought survivor,
apricot blossoms, needs
warm microclimate
Abutilon parishii
Parish’s
Mallow
Yellow
Sun,
partial
Low
Sh
3’ x
3’
2000 4500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
State listed rare plant grow for conservation,
butterfly larval source,
attractive plant
Abutilon parvulum
Dwarf
desert
mallow
Yellow
Partial
Low
Gr
1’ x
2’
3000’ 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
Native
Small Groundcover,
butterfly larval plant,
good bee plant
Acaciella angustissima
(Acacia angustissima)
Fernball
Acacia,
Whiteball
Acacia
White
Sun, PtSh Mediu Sh
m
4’ x
4’
2000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Huge butterfly larval
source, great bee nectar
source, attractive
clumping shrub
Abutilon abutiloides
Yellow
Water Form Size
(hw)
Full,Parti Low
Sh
3’ x
al
3’
Page 1
Native
Comments
range
2000 Full sun, butterfly larval
4500’,
lost, great bee plant
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
White
Yarrow
Blossom Sun
Acourtia thurberi
Thurber’s
perezia
Pink
Partial
Low
Sh
Acourtia wrightii
Brownfoot, Pink
Perezia
Partial
Low
Sm Sh 3’ x
3’
Agastache barberi
Barber’s
Purple
Horsemint
Partial
Mediu Sm Sh 3’ x
m
3’
Agastache cana
Texas
Deep
Partial
hummingbi Pink/Purp
rd mint,
le
Mosquito
plant
Mediu Forb
m
Agastache pallidiflora
var. neomexicana
New
Pink
Mexico
Horsemint
Mediu Sm Sh 3’ x
m
3’
5000 Hummingbird pollinated
9000’,
Chiricihua
Mtn
Native
Agastache ruprestris
Horse Mint Orange & PtSh
Purple
Mediu Sm Sh 3’ x
m
3’
3500 - 6000’,
State
Santa
listed
Catalina
rare plant
& Santa
Rita M
leaves smell incredible,
makes a good tea
Achilllea millefolium
Water Form Size Native
(hw) range
White or Partial or Mediu WF,
2' x 1- 5500Pink
Shade
m
GC
2'
11500',
Santa
Catalina
native,
otherwise
widesprea
d
Partial
Page 2
4’ x
3’
Comments
Spreading, white
blossoms, full sun with
mor ewater, spreads
through runners,
medicinal, tolerates
various soils
3500 Showy in bloom
5500’,
(monsoon season), great
Santa
butterfly nectar source
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
2000 Pink flowers (fragrant)
4500’,
attract butterflies
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
4000 5500’,
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
3' to 50004’
6000’,
tall New
Mexico
and west
Texas
native
Foliage has little or no
odor, but flowers are
very showy and brightly
colored
Highly aromatic foliage,
deters mosquitos,
hummingbird pollinated,
very showy
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Wright’s
Purple
PtSh
Horsemint
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sm Sh 3’ x
m
3’
Agave bovicornuta
Cow Horn Yellow
Agave,
Lechuguilla
verde
AfSh
Low
Su
3’ x
3’
Agave bracteosa
Squid
agave
Sun or
Partial
Low
Su
1' tall 3000Cold hardy to 10 degrees
5500',
Coahuila
(Sierra
Madre’s)
Agave chrysantha
Goldenflow Yellow
ered Agave
Full,Parti Low
al
Su
3’ 5’
3000’ 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Our local agave, rather
xeric, bright yellow
blooms, Cold hardy to 10
degrees
Yellow flowers, forms
colonies to 10ft diameter
Agastache wrightii
Yellow
Native
Comments
range
3500 Foliages has strong mint
6500’,
scent, makes good tea
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
30006000’,
Sonora,
Sinaloa,
Chihuahu
a
Requires wd soil, filtered
sun or afternoon shade
preferred at lower elev.
Moderate growth rate.
Yellow blossom
Agave deserti var. deserti Desert
agave
Yellow to Sun
White
Low
Su
2’ x
2’
1000 4000’,
Western
Arizona
Agave deserti var. simplex Desert
agave
Yellow to Sun
White
Low
Su
2’ x
2’
2500 Tight rosette, quite xeric
4000’,
Agave
Silverbell
Mtn
Native
Agave ferdinandi-regis
Yellow
Sun or
Partial
Low
Su
1.5’ Native to
x
Mexico
1.5’ (Sierra
Madre
Oriental
Mtns)
Probably just a form of
A. victoria-reginae,
beautiful large leaved
plant
Yellow
Sun
Low
Su
3’ x
3’
Very drought and cold
tolerant
Agave mckelveyana
King
Ferdinand
agave
Page 3
1000 5000’,
Western
Arizona
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Agave murpheyi
Common
Name
Murphy’s
Agave,
Hohokam
Agave
Agave ocahui
Blossom Sun
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Su
3’ x
m-Low
3’
Native
range
2000 4000’,
Pinal &
Maricopa
Cty
Native
Yellow
Partial
Low
Su
2-3' x 15002-3' 4500',
Sonora
MX
Comments
Produces bulbils,
traditional Native
American food/fiber
plant
Attractive rosette, no
marginal spines, cold
tolerant
Agave palmeri
Palmer
Agave
Yellow
Full,Parti Low
al
Su
3’ 5’
3000Bat pollinated
6000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Santa Rita
Mtn
Native
Agave parryi v. cousii
Couse’s
Agave
Yellow
PtSh
Low
Su
3' x
3'
40007500',
native to
northwest
ern
Arizona
Agave parryi v.
huachuacensis
Huachuca Yellow
Mtn agave
Full or
Partial
Low
Su
4' to 4000Huge parry agave plants,
5'
7000',
a classic huge agave,
Santa
hummingbird pollinated
Cruz and
Cochise
County
Native
Agave parryi v. parryi
Parry’s
Agave
Yellow
Sun,
AfSh
Low
Su
2’ x
3’
Yellow
Sun,
FilSun,
AftSh
Low
Su
2-3' x Sierra
2-3' Madre
Native
Agave parryi ssp. truncata Artichoke
Agave
Page 4
Evergreen, protect from
afternoon sun in lower
desert, beautiful rosette,
bluish cast to foliage
4000 Very attractive, tight
8000’,
rosette, cold hardy to -20
Santa Rita degrees
&
Huachuca
Mtn
Native
Attractive rosette, cold
hardy to 15 degrees
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Agave parviflora
Agave schottii var.
schottii
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Littleflower Yellow
Sun,
ed Agave
FilSun,
AftSh
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sm Su 1’ x
1’
Shin dagger Yellow
Low
Agave striata
Sun
Sm Su 1’ x
1’
3500 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Spreads into colonies, bat
and hummingbird
pollinated, fragrant
flowers, cold hardy to 10
degrees
NE
Mexico
Tough plant, extremely
drought tolerant once
established, cold hardy to
15 degrees
White
Sun, PtSh Low
Su
2' x
2'
White
Sun
Low
Su
2-3' x 2600 2-3' 5500’,
Central
Arizona,
Bradshaw
Mtns
Gorgeous small agave,
more compact than the
typical variety of
toumeyana
Sun
Low
Su
1’ x
1’
3000 7500’,
Northern
Arizona
Native
Most cold hardy agave
Central
Mexico
Cold Tolerant to about
10 degrees
Sonora,
Mexico
Native to
Guadalup
e Canyon,
New
Mexico &
Sonora
Cold tolerant to about 25
degrees
Huge butterfly nectar
source, especially for
Queen’s, cold hardy to
the low 20’s
Agave toumeyana var.
bella
Beautiful
agave
Agave utahensis
Utah Agave
Agave victoria-reginae
Queen
Victoria
Agave
6-8
Sun, PtSh Low
Agave vilmoriniana
Octopus
Agave
Flat-top
whitened
Yellow
Partial
Bluish
Sun,
Partial
Ageratum corymbosum
Native
Comments
range
4000 State listed rare plant,
5000’,
nice small agave
Pajarito &
Atascosa
Mtns
(Santa
Cruz Cty)
Sm Su 1’ x
1’
Lg Su 4’ x
4’
Mediu Sh
3' to
m-Low
4'
Low
Page 5
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Fragrant
snakeroot
Blossom Sun
White
Partial
Ageratina paupercula
Santa Rita
Snakeroot
White
Partial
Aloysia gratissima
Fragrant
Bee brush
White
Sun, PtSh Low
Lg Sh 4’ 6’
Aloysia wrightii
Oreganillo, White
Wright’s
Bee Brush
Sun, PtSh Low
Sh
Amelanchier utahensis
Serviceberr White
y
PtSh
Ambrosia ambrosioides
Canyon
Ragweed
Ageratina herbacea
(Eupatorium herbacium)
Yellowish Sun,
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sh
3' x
m
3’
Mediu Sh
m
2’ x
2’
3’ 4’
Native
range
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native,
45007500’
Comments
Fragrant foliage, big
nectar plant for
pollinators
Santa
Pollinator source, dark
Catalina, lanceolate foliage
Rincon &
Santa Rita
Mtn
Native,
3000 5000 ft
3500 5500’,
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Extremely drought
tolerant once established,
cold hardy, fragrant
flowers, great nectar
plant
2500’ Fragrant foliage, great
5000’,
nectar source for
Santa
pollinators
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Mediu Lg Sh, 8-15' 2000Deciduous, white
m
Sm Tr x 8- 7000',
blossoms, berries attract
15' native to wildlife
Sycamore
Canyon
(Pajarito’s
)
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
Page 6
5’ x
5’
2000 Relatively evergreen,
5000’,
exudes great smell after a
Santa
rain, good insect plant
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Baja
ragweed
Blossom Sun
Ambrosia cordifolia
Sonoran
Bur-sage
Yellowish Sun,
AfSh
Ambrosia deltoidea
Ambrosia dumosa
Ambrosia bryantii
Yellowish Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Subshr 2'
ub
3’ x
3’
Native
range
Native to
Baja
California
Comments
1000 3000’,
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Attractive plant in the
early spring with large
lush foliage
One of the only armored
Ambrosia’s, very unique,
a little frost sensitive
Low
Sh
Trianglelea Yellowish Sun
f Bur-sage
Low
Sm Sh 2’’ x 1000 Extremely tough once
2’
3500’,
established, great for
Santa
restoration
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
White Bur- Yellowish Sun
sage
Low
Sm Sh 2’ x
2’
1000 3000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
2000Extremely tough,
5000',
typically grows in dry
Santa
washes, great for reveg.
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn, &
Tucson
native
Requires well
drained/sandy soil,
extremely tough once
established
Ambrosia monogyra
Singlewhor Yellow
(Hymenochlea monogyra) l burro bush
Sun
Low
Sh
5' x
3’
Ambrosia salsola
(Hymenoclea salsola)
Burroweed Yellow
Sun
Low
Sh
2' to 10003’
4000’,
shrub Tucson
native
Extremely tough, cold
and drought tolerant,
good pollinator plant,
great for reveg.
Amorpha californica
Califonia Dark
false indigo Purple
bush
PtSh
Mediu Sh
m
5-8’ 4500 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Rather rare in the wild in
Arizona, butterfly larval
source
Page 7
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Blossom Sun
Amorpha fruticosa
Common
Name
False
Indigo
Bush
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sh
4-6’
m
Native
Comments
range
3000Butterfly larval source
6000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Amsonia peeblesii
Peeble’s
bluestar
White or Sun or
pale blue Partial
MedLow
40005600’,
Northern
Arizona
Amsonia palmeri (A.
hirtella)
Palmer’s
bluestar
White
Sun or
Partial
Mediu Forb
m
Amoreuxia gonzalezii
Gonzalez’
Saya
Yellow
w/Red
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sm Sh 2’ x
Mediu
2’
m
4000 Rare plant, entire plant is
5000’,
edible, large flowers
Santa Rita
Mtn
Native
Amoreuxia palmatifida
Saya
Yellow
w/Red
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sm Sh 2’ x
Mediu
2’
m
3500 Entire plant is edible,
5500’,
large flowers, forms
Santa
tuber
Rita,
Huachuca
& Pajarito
Mtn
Native
Anacampceros palmeri
(Grahamia palmeri)
Peekaboo
blush
Pink
Partial
Low
6"
tall,
sprea
ds
Native to
Mexico
(San Luis
Potosi)
Cold hardy to about 2025 degrees, large showy
pink flowers, needs good
drainage, great for
containers
Anemopsis californica
Yerba
mansa
White
Partial
Mediu Forb
m-low
1'
tall,
sprea
ds
20005000’,
Tucson
native
Sacred, powerful and
safe medicinal plant,
forms a colony
Anisicanthus puberulus
Dwarf
Pink
desert
honeysuckl
e
Dark
purple
PtSh
Sun/Partia Low
l
Page 8
Sm Sh 3' x
3'
Su
Sh
2' to 30003’
5000,
Pinal and
Santa
Cruz
Counties
Rare plant, large showy
flowers, grows on well
drained soils (often
volcanic), foliage turns
golden in the fall
Beautiful white
Apocynaceae flowers,
likes good drainage and a
little bit of water, but
worth it
3’-4' Chihuahu Hummingbird pollinated,
an Desert butterfly larval host, very
Native,
cold hardy
Texas
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form
Name
Anisacanthus quadrifidus Flame
Dark
Sun/Partia Low
Sh
v. wrightii
Anisacanth Orange
l
us
Size
(hw)
3’ x
4’
Native
Comments
range
sw TX, n Full sun best, caliche ok,
Mexico
tough once established,
hummingbird pollinated,
butterfly larval host
Anisacanthus thurberi
Desert
Orange or Sun/Partia Low- Sh
honeysuckl Red
l
Mediu
e
m
4’ 6’
2000Hummingbird pollinated,
5000’,
butterfly larval source
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Anoda abutiloides
Desert
anoda
Yellow
Sun/Partia Low
l
Forb
4' x
2’
35005000,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Antigonon leptopus
Queen’s
Wreath,
San
Miguelito
Red
(Rarely
white)
Sun
Low
Vine
To Alamos, Best under 3000’, great
25’ Sonora & bee nectar source,
vine Baja
butterfly larval source
Aquilegia coerulea
Blue
Blue &
Columbine White
Partial
Mediu Forb
mHigh
2' to Northern
3’
Arizona ,
800011000’
Aquilegia chrysantha
Golden
Yellow
Columbine
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
3’ x
3’
3000 Showy riparian plant,
8000’,
reseeds readily in moist
Santa
areas
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Aquilegia triternata
Chiricahua Red and
Mountain Yellow
Columbine
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
3’ x
3’
4000 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Santa
Rita Mtn
Native
Page 9
Butterfly & Moth larval
host, bee pollinated, short
lived perennial, very
attractive plant
Very showy, surprisingly
does alright at lower
elevations with some
water
Flowers hang downward,
requires good drainage
and water
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Melon loco Yellow
Sun or
partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Vine 5-10’
mediu
on
m
the
grou
nd
Arabis perennans
(Boechera perennans)
Perennial
Rockcress
Mediu Su
m-Low
2’ x
1’
3000 Butterfly larval source,
6800’,
one of our few native
Santa
perennial mustards
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Aristida californica var.
glabrata
Santa Rita
threeawn
Sun
Low
Gr
2' x
1’
20004500',
Santa
Catalina
& Coyote
Mtn
native
Aristida parishii (A.
purpurea var. parishii)
Parish’s
Threeawn
Sun/Partia Low
l
Gr
2’ x
2’
2000 Nice bunchgrass, larger
5000’,
& denser than the Purple
Santa
Threeawn (A. purpurea)
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Aristida purpurea var.
purpurea
Purple
Threeawn
Sun
Low
Gr
2’ x
1’
1000’5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Great spring bloomer,
flower spikes have
purplish hue and droop
downwards
Aristida purpurea var.
nealleyii
Blue
Threeawn
Sun
Low
Gr
2’ x
1’
1000’5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Great spring bloomer,
erect bushy flower
spikes, one of the most
common varieties in the
wild
Apodanthera undulata
Lavender Partial
Page 10
Native
range
20005000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Attractive, large
undulating foliage, with
showy yellow flowers,
striped grayish fruits in
fall
Small compact threeawn
similar to purple
threeawn, but distinctly
unique, recommended,
drainage
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Aristida schiedeana var.
orcuttiana
Common
Name
Orcutt’s
threeawn
Aristia ternipes var.
gentilis
Threeawn
spidergrass
Sun/Partia Low
l
Gr
4’ x
2’
2500 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Aristida ternipes var.
ternipes
Spidergrass
Sun
low
Gr
3’ x
3’
2500’Tough local grass, very
5500’,
dense bushy plant
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Aristolochia quercifolia
Oakleaf
pipevine
Southweste
rn Pipevine
Partial
Low
Gr
To 3’ Sonora,
Mexico
To 5’ 2000’ 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Large attractive foliage,
nice ground cover
Larval source for
Pipevine Swallowtail
Butterfly, foliage has
purplish color, neat plant
Sand
Yellowish Sun
Low
Sh
Sagebrush
Western
Yellowish Sun/Partia Mediu GC
Mugwort,
l
m-Low
Wormwood
Sage
4’ x
4’
2’ x
3’
25006000’
2000 7500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Evergreen, full sun, wd
soil
Butterfly larval source,
great accent for silver
foliage, spreads into
clump
Big
Sagebrush
5' x
5'
50008000',
Northern
Arizona
native
Hard to grow in Tucson,
requires well drained
soil, rots out easily at
lower elevations
Aristolochia watsonii
Artemisia filifolia
Artemisia ludoviciana
Artemisia tridentata
Blossom Sun
Partial
Green &
Purple
Green &
Purple
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Gr
3' x
Mediu
3'
m
LtSh, Sh Low
Yellowish Sun
Low
Page 11
GC,
Vine
Sh
Native
range
38006800’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Comments
Great accent grass, nice
upright growth habit
lends to nice movement
in the wind
Graceful threeawn with
weeping panicles that
drape outwards, does
very well in Tucson
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Giant
Whitestemmed
milkweed
Blossom Sun
Yellow
Sun
Asclepias angustifolia
Arizona
Milkweed
White
PtSh
Asclepias asperula
Antelope
Horns
White
Full,Parti Low- Sm Sh 2’ x
w/Purple al
Mediu
2’
m
Asclepias currassavica
Bloodflowe Red or
r
Yellow
Sun,
AftSh
Mediu Sh
m
3’ x
3’
Asclepias eriocarpa
Whoolypod Yellow
milkweed
Sun,
Partial
Low
Forb
2' x
2’
Asclepias erosa
(True)
Desert
Milkweed
Low
Sh
Asclepias hypoleuca
Mahogany Reddish
Milkweed Purple
Partial
Asclepias lemmonii
Lemmon’s White
milkweed
Sun,
Partial
Asclepias albicans
Greenish- Sun
yellow
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
LgSu 5’ 7’
Tall,
uprig
ht
Native
range
Under
2000’,
southwest
ern
Arizona
Comments
Mediu Sh
m
35005500',
Santa
Catalina
Native
Queen & Monarch
Butterfly larval source
3' x
3'
Requires good drainage,
a tad frost sensitive,
butterfly larval source,
very unusual
3500 Great looking flowers,
7000’,
butterfly larval source
Santa
(Queen’s)
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Alamos,
Sonora
Huge butterfly larval
source for both Monarchs
& Queens, reseeds
readily, frost sensitive
2’ x
2'
Under
3500’,
Western
Arizona
Requires good drainage,
Monarch & Queen
butterfly larval source
Mediu Sh
m
3’ x
3’
5500 7500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Requires good drainage,
amazing blooms,
regional endemic,
butterfly larval
Mediu Sh
m-Low
4’ x
4’
4000 Huge fuzzy leaves,
5500’,
butterfly larval source,
Santa Rita requires well drained soil
&
Chiricahu
a Native
Page 12
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Pineleaf
Milkweed
Blossom Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Sh
4’ x
Mediu
4’
m
Native
range
3000 5600’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
White
Sun,
Partial
Asclepias nyctaginifolia
Mohave
Milkweed
Whitish/
Yellow
Sun
Low
Sm Sh 2' x
2'
1500 Large, attractive flowers,
5000’,
Queen butterfly larval
Santa
source
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Asclepias subulata
ReedYellow
stemmed
Milkweed,
Desert
Milkweed
Sun
Low
Su
Asclepias speciosa
Showy
milkweed
Pink &
White
Partial
Sun
Asclepias subverticillata
Horsetail
Milkweed
White
Asclepias linaria
Asclepias tuberosa subsp. Butterfly
interior
Weed
Astrophytum asterias
Comments
Likes good drainage,
Queen butterfly larval
source, nice dense shrub
4’ x
2’
0-2500’,
NV, w.
AZ, Baja,
Pima Cty
Drought tolerant and
tough, Full sun,
evergreen, Can be
overwatered, good
drainage necessary,
Butterfly nectar source
and host for Queens and
Monarchs
Mediu Forb
m Low
3' x
2'
Northern
Arizona
Native,
6000 9000’
Needs well drained soil,
larval host for queen and
monarch butterflies,
showy blooms
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
3’ x
3’
2000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
The #1 Monarch host
plant in southern
Arizona, tolerate of
boggy soil
Orange
Partial
(Occasion
ally
Yellow)
Mediu Sh
m-Low
2’ x
2’
4000 Queen Butterfly Larval
6500’,
source, our local variety
Santa
does not rot as easily
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Low
2 to Native to Cold hardy to 20 degrees,
3
Texas
good drainage
inche
s tall
Sand dollar Yellow
cactus
Partial
Page 13
Ca
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Astrophytum capricorne
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Goat’s horn Yellow
Sun or
cactus
with red partial
centers
Astrophytum myriostigma Bishop’s
cap cactus
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Ca
to 3
feet
tall
Native
range
Native to
northern
Mexico
(Coahuila,
Chihuahu
a)
Comments
Cold hardy to 20 degrees,
rot prone - requires good
drainage
Yellow
Partial
Low
Ca
to 3 Native to Cold hardy to around 20
to 4’ central
degrees, good drainage
tall and
northern
Mexico
Astrophytum ornatum
Star cactus, Bright
monk’s
yellow
hood
Fun or
Partial
Low
Ca
2' to Native to Cold hardy around 18
6’
central
degrees, well drained soil
tall Mexico
(Hidalgo,
Queretaro
&
Guanajuat
o)
Atriplex canescens
Four-wing
saltbush
Sun
Low
Lg Sh 5’ x
8’
Atriplex hymenolytra
Hollyleaf
saltbush
Sun
Low
Sh
2' to 10003’
2500’,
western
Arizona
Showy, hollyleaf silver
foliage, stems turn a
beautiful pink color with
age, foliage is edible,
nice accent plant
Atriplex lentiformis var.
breweri
Brewer’s
Saltbush
Sun,
partial
Low
Sh
6’ x
6’
1000 4000’,
Western
Arizona
Incredible wildlife &
screen plant, fast grower,
tough, great for birds
Atriplex lentiformis var.
lentiformis
Quail
Brush
Sun,
partial
Low
Lg Sh 8’ x
12’
1000 3000’,
Western
Arizona
Incredible wildlife &
screen plant, fast grower,
tough, great for birds
Page 14
2000 Tough, outstanding
5000’,
pollinator plant, great for
Santa
wildlife
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Atriplex linearis
Common
Name
Narrowleafed
saltbush
Blossom Sun
Sun,
partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sh
5’ x
5’
Sh
4’ x
4’
Native
Comments
range
1000 Great pollinator &
3500’,
wildlife plant, tough
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Atriplex polycarpa
Littleleaf
Saltbush
Sun,
partial
Low
1000 3500’,
Pima
County
Native
Baccharis brachyphylla
Shortleaved White
baccharis
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sh
mediu
m
3' to 35004'
5500,
bush Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Great pollinator &
wildlife plant, tough
Airy, wiry foliage,
fragrant flowers in the
evening, great pollinator
plant and moth larval
host
Baccharis salicifolia (syn Seep
B. glutinosa)
Willow
White
Sun,
partial
Mediu Sh
m
6’ 10’
Tall
&
Wide
1000 Butterfly larval source,
4500’,
great pollinator & insect
Santa
plant
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Baccharis sarothroides
Desert
Broom
White
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sh
5’ x
5’
1000 6000’,
Tucson
Native
despite
what
people say
Bahia absinthifolia
Desert
Bahia
Yellow
Sun
Low
WF,
GC
1’ x
1’
1000 Tough plant
4500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Page 15
The best insect host plant
in the desert (over 60
species), great erosion
control, pioneer plant
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Baileya multiradiata
Barkleyanthus salignus
(Senecio salignus )
Common
Name
Desert
Marigold
Blossom Sun
Yellow
Sun
Willow
ragwort
yellow
Sun,
Partial
Bauhinia lunaroides (syn. Mexican
B. conjesta)
Orchid
Bush
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
WF
1.5’
x 1’
Mediu Sh
m+
White or Sun, PtSh Low
Pink
Native
Comments
range
2000 Short lived plant, but
5000’,
tends to reseed readily
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
4' to 35005' + 5500',
shrub Native to
Pagaonia
area and
Santa
Cruz
counties
Lg Sh 8-15’ TX
x 8- (white), n
15’ Mexico
(pink),
thornscrub
Blooms in January, very
showy when flowering,
huge butterfly/pollinator
magnet, blooms through
March
Fragrant flowers, great
nectar source for
butterflies & bees, very
showy plant, butterfly
larval host
Bebbia juncea var. aspera Sweet bush Yellow
Sun,
partial
Low
Sh
3’ x
3’
Berlandiera lyrata
Chocolate
flower
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Forb
1' to 4000 2’
5000',
Cochise
County
Native
Fragrant flowers,
chocolate scented in the
morning, traditionally
dried and used as a
seasoning
Berberis haematocarpa
Red
Barberry,
Algerita
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sh
5’ x
5’
Evergreen, tough &
xeric, birds like berries,
fragrant flowers
Page 16
2000 Butterfly larval source,
5000’,
tough & local
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
3000’ 5000’,
Pima
County
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Yellow
Sun,
partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sh
5' x
5'
Bidens aurea
Arizona
Yellow
beggarticks
Sun or
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
3' x
3'
Bothriochloa barbinodis
Cane
Beardgrass
Sun,
Partial
Low
Gr
3-4’ 2000 x 3- 6000’,
4’
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Bothriochloa laguroides
subsp. torreyeana
Silver beard
grass
Sun,
Partial
Low
Gr
2-3’ 3500Attractive smaller
x 2’ 6000,
beardgrass, reseeds, good
Santa Rita forage when young
Mtn &
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Sun,
AftSh
low
Gr
1.5’ 2500 x
6000’,
1.5’ Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Berberis trifoliata
Common
Name
Algerita
Bouteloua chondrosioides Sprucetop
Grama
Blossom Sun
Page 17
Native
range
30005000',
Rincon
Mtn,
Arivaca
Creek
Native,
Pima &
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Comments
25005000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
forms rhizomes, great
butterfly larval host,
strong nectar plant,
showy large blooms
Edibe berries, beautiful
shrub, tough, great bird
and pollinator plant
Great erosion control,
large light plumes, good
forage value when
young, reseeds readily
Attractive small
bunchgrass, great forage
value
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Bouteloua curtipendula
Common
Name
Sideoats
Grama
Blossom Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Sun, PtSh Low
Gr
3’ x
2’
Native
Comments
range
2000 Butterfly larval source,
7000’,
great forage value, tough
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Bouteloua eludens
Elusive
Grama
Sun,
partial
Low
Gr
3’x2' 35005500',
Santa
Catalina,
Santa
Rita,
Tumacaco
ri, &
Huachuca
Mtn
Native
Rather uncommon in the
wild, one of the prettiest
of the grama grasses,
very rare in cultivation
Bouteloua erecta
(Cathestecum erectum)
False
Grama
Full
Low
Gr
1’ x
1’
Below
4000’, in
Arizona
only
known
from
Ragged
Top
Spreads by stolons,
forms colony, good
forage, butterfly larval
source, tortoise food
Bouteloua gracilis
Blue
Grama
Sun,
AftSh
Low
Gr
3’ x
3’
3500 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
The highest forage value
grass in Arizona,
butterfly larval source,
very pretty
Bouteloua hirsuta
Hairy
Grama
Sun, PtSh Low
Gr
2’ x
2’
1000’6500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
native
Not as full looking as
Blue Grama, but more
interesting seedheads.
Unusual
Page 18
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Bouteloua radicosa
Common
Name
Purple
Grama
Blossom Sun
Sun,
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Gr
2’ x
2’
Native
range
36005500’,
Santa
Catalina
and
Rincon
Mtn
native
Comments
25005000’,
Santa
Catalina
and
Rincon
Mtn
native
Good forage value, tough
Larger spikelets on
showy seedheads, purple
when flowers are present,
forms small colony
Bouteloua repens
Slender
Grama
Sun,
Partial
Low
Gr
2’ x
2’
Bouteloua trifida
Red grama
Sun,
Partial
Low
Gr
1.5' x 25001.5' 5000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Reddish foliage, delicate
small grass that can form
a small patch, not
invasive but really nice
accent grass
Bouvardia glaberrima
Smooth
Bouvardia
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
3’ x
3’
Hummingbird pollinated,
moth larval source, very
showy
Brahia armata
Mexican
blue palm
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Su
m-Low
to 15 Native to Iconic icy blue fan palm,
tall’ Baja
cold hardy to -10 degrees
California
Brahea nitida
White Rock
palm
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Su
m
to
12’
tall
Native to Elegant, bright green
Sonora,
palm with no spines on
Mexico
leave petioles, cold hardy
to 18 degrees, closest
native palm to Tucson
Brickellia amplexicaule
Earleaf
Yellow
bricklebush
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
2' x
2'
4000Great understory plant
6000',
found in canyons
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Red
Page 19
3500 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Santa
Rita Mtn
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
BetonyYellow
Partial
leaved
Bricklebush
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sm Sh 2’ x
m-Low
2’
Brickellia californica
California Yellow
bricklebush
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sh
3’ - 2000 5’
6000’,
shrub Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Brickellia coulteri var.
brachiata
Coulter’s Yellow
bricklebush
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sh
3' x
3'
2000The most xeric of the
5000',
local brickellia’s. Great
Santa
pollinator plant
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
native
Brickellia grandiflora
Largeflowe White
red
bricklebush
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
4' x
4'
4000 Good pollinator plant,
8000’,
attractive and fragrant
Santa
blooms
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Brickellia rusbyi
Rusby’s
Yellow
bricklebush
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
4' x
4'
50008000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Brickellia venosa
Veined
Yellow
bricklebush
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
2’ x
2’
3500 Showy plant for the
5500’,
Brickellia’s, attractive
Santa
blossoms & seedheads
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Brickellia betonicifolia
Page 20
Native
range
4000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Interesting foliage for a
Brickellia, good midelevation plant for
understory
Great pollinator plant and
moth larval host, fragrant
flowers at night, very
tough once established,
moth larval host
Great pollinator and
moth larval host, fragrant
flowers at night,
surprisingly xeric once
established
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Bromus anomalus
Common
Name
Nodding
brome
Blossom Sun
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Gr
2' to
m-Low
2.5’
tall
Native
range
40007000,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Comments
Somewhat glaucous
(bluish) foliage, with
attractive large brome
seed heads that hang
down from the spike
head
Partial
Mediu Gr
m
6” x Rare in
Good turf grass
mat Arizona possiblity, tortoises love
(northern
portion of
State) 5500’
Sun
Low
5’ x
5’
Rio Grande Green
butterfly
bush
Sun or
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
Bursera fagarioides
Elephant
Tree
White
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm Tr 5’ to Once
Intensely fragrant
8’
native to foliage, resin - a good
Tall Baboquiv source of Copal
ari Mtns,
now just
Sonora,
Mexico
Bursera filicifolia
Elephant
Tree
White
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm Tr 5' to Baja
15’
Tall
Bursera hindsiana
Yaqui
Black
Copal
White
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm Tr 5' to Native to One of the most fragrant
8'
Sonora
of the Bursera’s, frost
Tall
sensitive but rather root
hardy, highly desirable
Bursera laxiflora
Torote
papelio
White
Sun,
Partial
Low
Tr
Buchloe dactyloides
Buffalogras
s
Buddleja marrubifolia
Wolly
Butterfly
Bush
Buddleja sessiliflora
Orange
Page 21
Sh
se AZ
3' to Only
5'
known
bush from 6
localities
in
southern
Arizona,
extremely
rare
5' to
15'
tall
(32’
in
Sono
ra)
Tough plant, orange
blossoms, full sun
Spring bloomer,
interesting fragrance to
viscous flowers, great
pollinator plant, almost
extirpated from Santa
Catalina’s
Very fragrant
Native to Highly fragrant, frost
around
sensitive
Alamos,
Sonora
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Elephant
Tree
Blossom Sun
White
Sun,
Partial
Bursera microphylla
“Watermans”
Elephant
Tree
White
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm Tr 6' x 10008' or 3500’,
more Waterman
Mountains
and
elsewhere
in
Southern
AZ
Carlowrightia arizonica
Arizona
White
Sun,
Wrightwort w/Purple Partial
Low
Sh
2’ x
2’
Caesalpinia cacalaco
Cascalote
Yellow
w/red
Sun,
Partial
Low
Tr
15’ x Southern Full sun
15’ Mexico, s
Sinaloa, to
5000’ (?)
Caesalpinia mexicana
Mexican
Bird-ofParadise
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm Tr 15’ x mexico
18’
Caesalpinia palmeri
Palmer Bird-Yellow
of-Paradise
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm Tr 6’ x
6’
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm Tr 6’ - Mexico
12’
Tall
Sun
Low
Lg Sh 8’ x
8’
Sh
5’ x
5’
Bursera microphylla
Caesalpinia platyloba
Caesalpinia pulcherrima Red Bird-of- Red &
Paradise
Orange
Caesalpinia pumila
Sonoran
Yellow
blackbird
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sm Tr 6’ x
8’ or
more
Full,Parti Low
al
Page 22
Native
range
1000 3500’,
Native to
Pima,
Yuma,
Pinal &
Maricopa
Counties
Comments
Grows well in pots, or
needs warm
microclimate, birds like
fruits, medicinal
Pointed leaf species, it is
anticipated that this will
be soon become its own
species
2000 Butterfly larval source
5500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Full sun, decorative patio
tree, may attract
butterflies and native
bees
Sonora,
Mexico
Sonora,
Mexico
Mexico
Large leaves, very pretty
plant, hard to find,
occasionally available
Slightly frost sensitive,
very attractive small
Caesalpinia sp., unusual
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form
Name
Baja
Red
Full,Parti Low
Sh
Fairyduster
al
Size Native
(hw) range
5’ x Baja
5’
Calliandra eriophylla
Fairy
Duster
Pink
Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
3’ x
4’
1000 Hummingbird pollinated,
5000’,
butterfly larval source,
Santa
tough, local & easy
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Calylophus hartwegii
Sundrops
Yellow
Full,Parti Low
al
WF
2’ x
2’
2500 4500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Large showy flowers,
sphinx moth larval
source, butterfly and bee
nectar source
Carex chihuahuensis
Chihuahuan Yellow
Sedge
Full,Parti Mediu Gr
al
m to
High
3’ x
3’
4000 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Forest Service Species of
Concern, known from
only 8 localities in
Arizona
Carex senta
Swamp
Sedge
Yellow
Full,Parti Mediu Gr
al
m to
High
3’ x
3’
3000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Great water loving plant
in wet areas, very pretty
sedge in bloom (large
flowerheads)
Carex ultra (C. spissa
var. ultra)
Cochise
Sedge
Yellow
Full,
Partial
4' to 32005’
5500,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Dragoon
Mtn
native
Largest seed head for
Carex sp. in Arizona,
huge 5 foot plants with a
bluish cast to the foliage,
rare plant
Carnegiea gigantea
Saguaro
White
Full,Parti Low
al
To
40’
Slow growing, wd soil,
sensitive to root rot,
delicious fruits, bat
pollinated
Calliandra californica
Mediu Gr
m to
High
Page 23
Ca
se AZ,
below
5000’
Comments
Can die back with cold
weather, not as tough as
our native but showier,
butterfly larval host,
hummingbirds
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Carphochaete bigelovii
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form Size Native
Name
(hw) range
Bigelow’s White
Full,Parti Low- Sm Sh 2’ x 4000 Bristleflow
al
Mediu
2’
6700’,
er
m
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Star shaped flowers in
the late spring, nice
compact foliage
Ceanothus greggii
Gregg’s
Deerbrush
Celtis pallida
Desert
White
Hackberry
Full,Parti Low- Lg Sh, 8’ x
al
Mediu Sm Tr 10’
m
1500 4500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Great wildlife shrub,
hedging, mostly
evergreen, spiny, erosion
control, butterfly larval
host
Celtis reticulata
Canyon
White
Hackberry
Full,Parti Mediu Tr
al
m-Low
2000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Attracts over 30 species
of birds, big butterfly
larval host, slow growing
unless given lots of water
(then fast!)
Ceratoides lanata
Winterfat
Full,Parti Low
al
Cercocarpus breviflorus
Hairy
Flowers
Mountain have no
Mahogany petals
Full,Parti Low- Tr
al
Mediu
m
White
Full,Parti Low- Sh
al
Mediu
m
Page 24
5’ x
5’
Comments
1525’
3500 Evergreen, fragrant
7000’,
spring flowers, butterfly
Santa
larval source
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Sm Sh 2’ x 2000 Valuable forage plant
1.5’ 7000’,
Cochise &
Pima
County
Native
6’ to 4000 12’ 7000’,
Tall Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Hairy leaves, our local
form, unusual seedpods,
beautiful small tree,
limestone specialist,
moth larval host
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Cercocarpus montanus
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form Size Native
Name
(hw) range
Mountain Flowers Full,Parti Low- Sm Sh 6’ - 2000 Mahogany have no al
Mediu
12’ 7000’,
petals
m
Tall Cochise &
Pima
County
Native
Comments
Nice upright growth
form, unusual seedpods,
beautiful small tree,
limestone specialist
Chamaebatiaria
millefolium
Fern Bush
White
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
5’ x
5’
45008000’, n
AZ, NM
Attract butterflies,
afternoon shade in low
desert, semi-evergreen,
white blossoms.
Chilopsis linearis var.
arcuata
Native
desert
willow
Pink
Sun,
Partial
Low
Tr
15’
15005000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Hummingbird pollinated,
moth larval source,
lightly fragrant flowers,
long thin drooping leaves
Chrysactinia mexicana
Damianita
Yellow
Full
Low
WF,
2’ x
Sm Sh 2’
18007000’, w
TX, NM,
ne Mexico
Nice evergreen, fragrant
foliage, somewhat tough,
great pollinator plant and
attracts butterflies
Cirsium arizonicum
Arizona
Thistle
Red
Full,Parti Low- Sh
al
Mediu
m
3’ x
2’
Cissus trifoliata
Arizona
Grape Ivy
White
Partial
Mediu Vine
m
5’ - 2000 10’+ 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Citrus limatoides
Lima,
White
Mexican
Sweet Lime
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Tr
m
10 to Bioregion Delicious unusual fruit
15’ al
that is eaten fresh like an
Heirloom orange, but tastes like
Fruit
sweet lime, butterfly
Trees
larval host
from
Sonora
(Magdale
na)
Page 25
4000 Butterfly larval source,
8000’,
can reseed
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Climbing or
groundcover, patial shade
or full sun, freezes to
ground in low 20s, moth
larval host
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Clematis drummondii
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form Size Native
Name
(hw) range
Old Man’s White
Full,Parti Mediu Vine 6’ to 1000 Beard,
al
m-Low
12’ 4000’,
Virgin’s
Santa
Bower
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Clematis ligusticifolia
Western
White
White
clematis,
Western
Old Man’s
Beard
Partial
Mediu vine
m
Clitoria mariana
Butterfly
Pea
Pink
Partial
Mediu Sm Sh 2’ x
m
2’
Cocculus diversifolius
Moonseed
Vine
White
Partial or Mediu Vine
Shade
m Low
Commicarpus scandens
Bush
spiderling
Yellowish- Partial
white
Sun
Low- Vine
Mediu
m
Page 26
To
15’
Comments
Prefers partial shade,
prolific bloomer,
butterfly larval host
3000 Butterfly larval host
6500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
3500 Amazing huge, showy
5500’,
flowers in summer;
Santa
butterfly larval source
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
8' to Santa
12’ Rita,
Tumacaco
ri &
Huachuca
Mtn
Native,
35006000’
Primary larval host for
the moonseed butterfly,
produces dark blue
berries, good bird plant,
attractive foliage
4-5'
More of a sprawling
vining shrub, great
understory plant, moth
larval host, tough
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn, &
Tucson
basin
native,
25005000’
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Corell’s
Greenish Sun or
snakewood
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sh
5-6’
m
tall,
3’-4’
wide
Condalia warnockii var.
kearneyana
Condalia, Yellow
Kearney’s
Snakewood
Sun
Low
Conoclinium greggi
(Eupatorium greggii)
Butterfly
mist
Full,Parti Mediu Sm Sh, 3’ x
al
m
WF
3’
Convolulus equitans
Silver
Light
Sun,
Morning
Lavender Partial
Glory Vine
Low- GC,
Mediu Vine
m
Cordia boissieri
Texas-olive White
Mediu Sm Tr, 10m-Low Lg Sh 20’ x
1020’
Condalia correllii
Bluish
purple
Sun,
AftSh
Page 27
Lg Sh, 8’ x
Sm Tr 10’
Native
range
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon,
Santa
Rita,
Tumacaco
ri Mtn
Native,
32005500’
Comments
1000 4000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Edible black berries,
great bird plant, nice
barrier plant, moth larval
host
3500 5000’,
Santa
Rita,
Mustang
&
Dragoon
Mtns
Incredible nectar source
for butterflies &
pollinators
to 3’ 3000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
1000’2500’, Rio
grande
valley,
TX, NM,
Nuevo
Leon,
Tamaulipa
s
Delicious, large edible
berries, great bird plant,
rare in cultivation,
uncommon in the wild,
moth larval host
Forms small tuber, easy
and prolific bloomer, can
casually reseed, nice
plant
Full sun, tolerates
reflected heat, showy
white blossoms, fruit
eaten by birds, prune to
small tree, deciduous
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Cordia parvifolia
Coreocarpus arizonicus
Common
Name
Littleleaf
Cordia
Blossom Sun
White
Little
Yellow
Lemonhead
Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Lg Sh 6’ x
8’
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
3’ x
3’
Native
range
Sonora to
Coahuila,
Durango,
Baja
Comments
Showy flowers, cold
hardy, flowers are eaten
by rabbits & desert
tortoise, tough plant,
attracts butterflies
3000 Great pollinator nectar
7000’,
plant, can reseed
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Coryphantha macromeris Nipple
beehive
cactus
Red to
pink
Sun,
Partial
Low
Ca
1’tall Native to Cold hard to 15 degrees,
to 2’ Texas & clumping cluster
wide Mexico
(Chichuah
ua,
Coahuila,
Durango)
Coryphantha pallida
Pale
beehive
cactus
Pale
yellow
Sun,
partial
Low
Ca
1' x
1’
Native to
Puebla
and
Oaxaca
Cold hardy to around 20
degrees, nice globular
cactus with offsets as it
ages
Coryphantha recurvata
Golden
Beehive
Cactus
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Ca
1’ x
1’
3000 5000’,
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Hard to find, cold hardy
to 10 degrees
Coryphantha sulcata
Pineapple
cactus
Bright
yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Ca
1' x
1'
Native to Attractive globose
Texas and cactus, cold hardy to 10
Mexico
degrees
(Coahuila,
Nuevo
Leon)
Pink
Sun,
Partial
Low
Ca
1' to Native to Large showy flowers,
1.5’ Santa
cold hardy to -20 degrees
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtns (var.
bisbeeana)
, 35006000’
Corphantha vivipara
Beehive
(multiple varieties grown) cactus
Page 28
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Slender
Janusia
Blossom Sun
Coursetia glandulosa
Coursetia,
Baby
Bonnets
Yellow & Sun/Partia Low
White
l
Cucurbita digitata
Finger
Gourd,
Coyote
Gourd
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low- Vine
Mediu
m
to
6’+
Cucurbita foetidissima
Buffalo
Gourd
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low- Vine
Mediu
m
to 8’ 3500 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Santa
Rita Mtn
Native
Cuphea llavea
Bat-faced
Cuphea
Red or
Partial
Lavender
Cydonia oblonga
Mission
Heritage
Quince
Pink
Cylindropuntia
acanthocarpa
Buckthorn Variable
Cholla
Cottsia gracilis (Janusia
gracilis)
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Vine 2’ to
5’
Lg Sh 8’ x
12’
Mediu WF,
2’ x
m
Sm Sh 3’
Native
range
1000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Comments
2000 4000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Butterfly larval source,
nice local shrub,
uncommon in
landscaping
2000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Forms tuber, very tough
once established, large
flowers and small round
gourds
Alamos,
Sonora
Extremely tough local
plant, good Desert
Tortoise plant
Large foliage with big
yellow squash flowers
Hummingbird pollinated,
likes a warm spot in the
winter
Full,Parti Mediu Tr
al
mHigh
10 - Southern Currently growing about
15’ Arizona 4 localities of Quince
Heirloom
trees
Full
3’ to 1000 5’+ 3000’,
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Very
Low
Page 29
Ca
Good nesting habitat for
birds, typically has a
sprawling habit
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Cylindropuntia arbuscula Pencil
Cholla
Blossom Sun
Variable
Water Form Size
(hw)
Full,Parti Very Ca
typic
al
low
ally
4’x
4’
Native
Comments
range
1000 Nice small/medium sized
4000’,
cholla, easy to work with
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Cylindropuntia bigelovii
Teddy Bear Greenish- Full
Cholla
yellow to
White
Very
low
Ca
4’ to 1000 Densely covered with
7’
4000’,
bright spines, great bird
Santa
habitat or barrier plant
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Cylindropuntia fulgida
var. fulgida
Chain-fruit Variable
Cholla
Full
Very
low
Ca
5’ to 1000 Great nesting habitat for
7’
3500’,
birds, dense spines
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Cylindropuntia fulgida
var. mammillata
Chain-fruit Variable
Cholla
Full
Very
low
Ca
5’ to 1000 Great nesting habitat for
7’
3500’,
birds, this variety is few
Santa
spined
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Cylindropuntia kleinae
Klein’s
Cholla
Full,Parti Very
al
low
Ca
to 4’ 2000 Great nesting habitat for
4000’,
birds
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Cylindropuntia
leptocaulis
Christmas
Cholla
Pale
Full,Parti Very
Yellow or al
low
Green
Ca
typic 2000 ally 5000’,
3’x3’ Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Page 30
Red Fruits in wintertime,
nice small branched easy
to work with cholla, cold
hardy to 10 degrees
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Blossom Sun
Cylindropuntia molesta
Common
Name
Cholla
Water Form Size
(hw)
Very Ca
4’+
low
Native
range
Baja,
Sonora
Comments
Pink
Full
Cylindropuntia
ramosissima
Diamond
Cholla
Bronze
Full
Very
low
Ca
3’ x
4’
Western
Arizona,
below
3000’
Full sun, various soils,
grows in lower
Sonoran/Mohave desert,
very tough
Cylindropuntia spinosior
Cane
Cholla
Variable
Full
Very
low
Ca
5 to
7’
3500 Upright Cholla, great for
6000’,
birds, cold hardy to 10
Santa
degrees
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Cylindropuntia tesajo
Baja Pencil Yellow
Cholla
Full
Very
low
Ca
1’ x
2’
Baja,
Mexico
Very
low
Huge attractive spines
make this a very showy
and unusual species
Spreading low growing
cholla, cold hardy to at
least 15 degrees
Cylindropuntia versicolor Staghorn
Cholla
Variable
Full
Ca
6 to
8’
2000 Nice upright Cholla,
6000’,
great for nesting bird
Santa
habitat
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Dalea albiflora
White
Full,Parti Mediu Sh
al
m-Low
3’ x
3’
3000 7500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Butterfly larval source,
fragrant foliage, good
pollinator plant, late
summer bloomer
Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
4’ x
4’
Sonora,
Mexico
Nice large shrub, rich
blue flowers, butterfly
larval host
White
Prairie
Clover
Dalea bicolor var. bicolor Twincolore Blue
d Priaire
Clover
Dalea bicolor v.
orcuttiana
Fragrant
Dalea
Lavender Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
3’ x
3’
Baja &
Sonora
Deliciously fragrant
foliage, makes a great
tea, great nectar, butterfly
larval source
Dalea candida
White
Prairie
Clover
White
Sh
2’ x
2’
4000 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Santa
Rita Mtn
Native
Bufferly Larval host and
good pollinator plant
Partial
Low
Page 31
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Lemon
Dalea
Blossom Sun
Dalea formosa
Feather
Dalea
Dark
Purple
Full,Parti Low
al
Sm Sh 2’ x
2’
Dalea frutescens
Black
Dalea
Purple
Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
3’ x
3’
Western Pleasant citrus odor for
Texas,
foliage, fall bloomer,
Chihuahu butterfly larval host
an Desert
Dalea greggii
Trailing
Indigo
Bush
Lavender Full
GC
2’ x
4’
Western Good erosion control,
Texas,
forms nice moumnd,
Chihuahu butterfly larval source
an Desert
Dalea lumholtzii
Lumholtzii White
Prairie
clover
Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
2’ x
1’
4000 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Dalea lutea
Full,Parti Low
al
Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
Dalea pringlei
Yellow
Bush Dalea
Pringle’s
Prairie
Clover
4’ x
4’
2’ x
2’
Dalea pulchra
Bush Dalea Pink
Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
4’ x
3’
2500 Likes good drainage,
5000’,
showy when in bloom,
Santa
butterfly larval host
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Lavender Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
3’ x
3’
Sonora,
Mexico
Dalea capitata
Dalea tomentosa
Yellow
Yellow
Purple
with
yellow
Water Form Size
(hw)
Full,Parti Low
GC
1’ x
al
3’
Low
Page 32
Sh
Native
range
Western
Texas,
Chihuahu
an Desert
Comments
2000 6500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Likes good drainage,
butterfly larval host,
small compact foliage,
spring bloomer
2000 4000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Great lemony fragrance
to foliage, unusual dalea,
typically blooms during
late summer, butterfly
larval host
Extremely fragrant
foliage similar to lemon
verbena, only known
from 4 localities in AZ,
butterfly larval host
Fall bloomer, butterfly
larval host
Nice upright form for a
small plant, butterfly
larval host
A little frost sensitive,
but really unusual foliage
for a Dalea
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form
Name
Oakwoods purple or Full,Parti Low
Sh
Prairie
pink
al
Clover
Size
(hw)
3’ x
4’
Native
range
4000 6200’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Dalea wrightii
Wright's
prairie
clover
yellow
Full or
partial
1'
30005000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Tiny, long lived
perennial species with
huge yellow flower
spikes, butterfly larval
host and bee pollinated
Dasylirion
quadrangulatum (D.
longissimum)
Mexican
grass tree
White
Full,Parti Low
al
Su
6' to Tamaulipa Great accent plant,
9’
s to
beautiful toothless spoon
tall Hidalgo that forms a trunk, cold
and
hardy to 15 degrees
wide
Dasylirion wheeleri
Desert
Spoon,
Sotol
White
Full,Parti Low
al
Su
5’ x
5’
3000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Great accent plant,
foliage forms a bluish
cast to it, cold hardy to 0
degrees
Datura discolor
Desert
White
Full,Parti Low
thornapple w/purple al
throat
Sh
2’ x
2’
2000 3000’,
Tucson
Native
Showy flowers, annual
but reseeds well, larval
source for sphinx moth
Datura wrightii
Sacred
Datura
Sh
3’ x
6’
1000 6500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Intensely fragrant
flowers, sphinx moth
larval source, easy and
beautiful in the summer
Desmanthus cooleyi
Cooley’s
White
Bundleflow
er
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
2’ x
2’
3000 Great butterfly larval
5000’,
source, attractive plant
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Dalea versicolor v.
sessillis
White
Low- Forb
Mediu
m
Full,Parti Low
al
Sun,
Partial
Page 33
Great performer,
butterfly larval source,
flowers from Fall to
Spring
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Coville’s
White
Sun,
Bundleflow
Partial
er
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Sh
3’ x
Mediu
3’
m
Desmodium batocaulon
San Pedro Lavender Partial
Tickclover
Mediu GC
m
1’ x
3’
3000 Butterfly larval source,
7000’,
nice groundcover for
Santa
partial shade
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Desmodium cinerascens
Spiked
Pink
Tickclover
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
3’ x
3’
3000 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Butterfly larval source,
one of the few upright
Desmodium species in
Arizona
Desmodium psilophylum
Simpleleaf Bright
Tickclover Pink
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
2’ x
2’
3800 4500’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Somewhat rare, in
Arizona only known
from 5 localities
Dicliptera resupinata
Twin
dropseed
Purple
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm Sh 3’ x
3’
2000 4000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Butterfly larval source,
tough & local, can handle
fun, partial or full shade,
can reseed
Dieteria asteroides
Fall
tansyaster
Purple
Sun,
Partial
Low
Forb
25005200’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Easy and spreads readily,
almost always in bloom,
moth larval host, great
butterfly/pollinator host
plant
Desmanthus covellei
Page 34
to 4'
tall,
2’
wide
Native
range
1000 3000’,
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Comments
Rare Plant, in Arizona
known from Organ Pipe
& The Tucson Mtns
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Digitaria californica
Common
Name
Arizona
cottontop
Blossom Sun
Native
range
1000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Comments
Sun,
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Gr
3’ x
2’
Nice early summer
bloomer, reseeds, great
Desert Tortoise plant
Diospyros texana
Texas
White
persimmon
Sun
Low
Tr
1020’
Texas
native,
11005700 ft
elev.
Butterfly larval host,
delicious edible fruits
Distichlis stricta
Salt grass
Partial
Mediu Gr
m-Low
1’ x
mat
1000 7000’,
Originally
native to
Santa
Cruz
River
Salt tolerant, various
soils, likes wetter areas,
good gray water plant,
spreads by runners
Dodonaea viscosa var.
angustifolia
Narrowleaf Green
hopseed
bush
Sun,
Partial
Low
Dyschoriste hirsutissima
Lg Sh 6 - 8’ 2000 Tall 4500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Lavender Partial
Low- Sh
mediu
m
3' x
3'
Great screen plant, fast
grower, evergreen, more
frost hardy than the nonnative varieties
Native to Butterfly larval host
Sonora &
Sinoloa
Ebenopsis ebano
(Pithecollobium ebano)
Texasebony
White
Sun
Low
Sm Tr 8’ to Texas
12’ Native
Echinocactus grusonii
Golden
barrel
cactus
Yellow
Sun
Low
Ca
to
Native to Although very common
about Mexico
in cultivation, virtually
3’
extinct in the wild due to
habitat destruction, cold
hardy to 15 deg
Echinocereus bonkerae
Bonker’s
Hedgehog
Bright
Full,Parti Low
Magneta al
to
Purplish
Ca
2’ x
2’
Page 35
3500 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Tolerates hot west sun,
evergreen, slow growing
Requires good drainage,
very showy with short
spines, cold hardy to at
least 0 degrees
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form
Name
Echinocereus brandegeei Baja
Magenta Full,Parti Low
Ca
Strawberry
al
Hedgehog
Size
(hw)
2’ x
2’
Native
Comments
range
Baja
Very showy flowers
California
Echinocereus coccineus
Full,Parti Low
al
Ca
2’ x
2’
3000 Cold hardy to 0 degrees
8000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Echinocereus engelmannii Engelmann Magenta Full,Parti Low
’s
al
Hedgehog
Cactus
Ca
1’ x
2’
1500 5000’,
Pima &
Pinal
Counties
Native
Echinocereus fasciculatus Strawberry Pink to
Hedgehog Red
Full,Parti Low
al
Ca
2’ x
2’
1000 Edible fruits, showy
5000’,
flowers, cold hardy to 10
Santa
degrees
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Echinocereus rigidissimus Arizona
var. rigidissumus
Rainbow
Hedgehog
Magenta Full,Parti Low
al
Ca
1’
3500 Needs really good
5500’,
drainage, cold hardy to
Santa
10 degrees
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Echinocereus rigidissimus Ruby
var. rubispina
Rainbow
Hedgehog
Magenta Full,Parti Low
al
Ca
1’
Native to Needs good drainage,
extreme cold hardy to 15 degrees
southeaste
rn
Arizona &
Sonora
Mexico
Claret Cup Orange to Full,Parti Low
Hedgehog Red
al
Ca
1’ x
2’
2500 5000’,
Cochise
County
Native
Echinocereus
triglochidiatus
Red
Hedgehog
Red to
Pink
Page 36
Cold hardy to 0 degrees
Cold hardy to 0 degrees
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Eleocharis macrostachya Pale
spikerush
Blossom Sun
Full or
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Gr
1'
m
tall,
sprea
ds
Native
range
20005000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Comments
Nice grass-like rush that
forms a sense patch, low
to the ground, found in
riparian or wet areas
Elymus elymoides
Bottlebrush
Squirreltail
Full,Parti Mediu Gr
al
m-Low
2’ x
2’
3500 Attractive large
7000’,
flowering seedheads
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Encelia farinosa
Brittlebush Yellow
Full
Low
Sh
3’ x
4’
1000 3000’,
Tucson
Native
Desert Tortoises love
flowers, great spring
color, great nectar
sources for bees and
butterflies
Encelia virginensis (E.
frutescens)
Green
Yellow
brittlebush,
Virginia
River brittle
bush
Full
Low
Sh
3’ x
3’
2000 4000’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
native
Extremely tough and
show, only disc flowers,
butterfly nectar source
Ephedra aspera (E.
nevadensis)
Joint-fir,
Mormon
tea
Yellowish Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
5’ x
5’
2000 Tough, makes delicious
6000’,
red tea,
Santa
medicinal/stimulating
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Ephedra viridis
Joint-fir,
Mormon
tea
Yellowish Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
5’ x
5’
3000 7000’,
Northern
Arizona
Native
Same as above
Epilodium canum subsp.
latifolium (Zauschneria )
Hummingbi Red
rd Trumpet
Mediu Sh
m-Low
3’ x
4’
3000 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Great hummingbird and
butterfly nectar source,
moth larval source,
showy blooms
Sun,
Partial
Page 37
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Equisetum hyemale var.
elatum (E. x ferrissi )
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Scouringrus
Sun,
h horsetail
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Gr
3'
mtall,
High
sprea
ds
Native
range
30007000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Comments
Forms dense patch,
perfect for moist areas,
great habitat and food for
birds
Eragrostis intermedia
Plains
Lovegrass
Full,Parti Low
al
Gr
2’ x
3’
2000 7000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Attractive purplish
flowers in the late
summer, nice airy
appearance
Ericameria laricifolia
Turpentine Yellow
Bush
Full,Parti Low
al
Sm Sh 4’ x
4’
3000 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Late fall flowers, great
late season nectar source,
fragrant foliage,
evergreen
Ericameria nauseosa
Rabbitbrus Yellow
h
Full,Parti Mediu Sh
al
m-Low
2000 6000’,
Santa
Cruz &
Cochise
Cty
Native
Great fall nectar source,
impressive when in
bloom, great butterfly
nectar plant
Erigeron divergens
Spreading
fleabane
White
Full,Parti Low
al
Erigeron neomexicanus
New
Mexico
fleabane
White
Partial
Sm Sh, 1’ x 2000 Short lived, but reseeds
GC
1.5’ 4000’,
readily, great butterfly
Santa
nectar source
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Mediu Forb
m-Low
Page 38
4’ x
4’
to 2' 35007000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Really attractive lacey,
dissected foliage, great
pollinator plant and
butterfly & moth larval
host
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Showy
fleabane
Blossom Sun
Pink
Partial
Erigeron tracyi
Running
Fleabane
White
w/pink
Full,Parti Low- Sm Sh, 1’ x
al
Mediu WF
2’
m
3500 During monsoon season,
5500’,
plants will send off
Santa
stolons (new plantlets)
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Eriogonum fasciculatum
v. poliofolium
Flattop
White or Full,Parti Low
Buckwheat Purple
al
Sm Sh 3’ x
4’
2000 Likes drainage, butterfly
6000’,
larval source, relished by
Santa
Desert Tortoises
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Eriogonum wrightii
Wright
Pink
Buckwheat
Full,Parti Low
al
Sm Sh 2’ x
2’
3000Great late summer
7000’,
bloomer, butterfly nectar
Santa
source, great accent plant
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Erioneuron advenacium
(E. grandiflorum)
Giant
Fluffgrass
Full,Parti Low- Gr
al
Mediu
m
Erysimum capitatum
Sanddune Orange or Partial
wallflower yellow
Erigeron speciosus
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sm Sh, 1.5’
m
GC
x
1.5’
Mediu Forb
m
Page 39
Native
range
60009000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Large beautiful flowers,
somewhat evergreen in
Tucson
2’ x
2’
4000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Nice small bunchgrass
with large tufted
inflouresences
3' to
4'
tall,
and
2’
wide
40007000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Butterfly larval host,
showy clusters of blooms
at the tips of branches,
partial shade plant
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Erythrina flabelliformis
Common
Name
SW Coral
Bean,
Chilicote
Blossom Sun
Bright
Red
Water Form Size
(hw)
Full,Parti Low
Sh
4’ to
al
6’
White
Sun,
Partial
Low
Euphorbia heterophylla
Desert
poinsettia
Whitish
green
Partial
Mediu Sm Sh 2’ x
m-Low
2’
Euphorbia xantii
Baja
Spurge
White
Sun
with pink
Eysenhardtia orthocarpa
Sonoran
White
Kidneywoo
d
Sun,
Partial
Eysenhardtia texana
Texas
White
Kidneywoo
d
Full,Parti Low- Tr
al
Mediu
m
Fallugia paradoxa
Apache
Plume
White
Sun,
Partial
Low- Lg Sh 6’ x
Mediu
4’
m
Yellow
Sun
Low
Ferocactus chrysacanthus Twisted
spine
Barrel
Cactus
Su
1’ x
2’
Euphorbia antisyphilitica Candelilla
Native
range
3500 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Huge, showy flowers
followed by large red
seeds. Hummingbird
pollinated
Baja, sw Nice accent plant, cold
TX, 100- hardy to 15 degrees
3800’
2000 3500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Reseeds readily,
attractive reddish
blushing on leaves, easy
to grow, Tortoises love
Mexico,
Baja
Fragrant showy flowers,
great nectar sources for
bees, frost sensitive in
the mid 20’s
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
4’ x
4’
Low- Tr
Mediu
m
8’ - 3500 Butterfly larval source,
14’ 5500’,
lovely small patio tree,
Tall Santa Rita medicinal tee plant
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Page 40
Ca
8’ - Texas
14’ Native
Tall
3’ x
2’
3500 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
&
Dragoon
Mtn
Native
Extremely cold hardy,
huge butterfly larval
source, fragrant flowers
Member of the Rose
Family, beautiful flowers
followed by unusual
seedheads, flowers
attract bees and
butterflies
Endemic Attractive golden spines,
to islands can take a light frost,
off Baja good drainage
California
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Ferocactus cylindraceus
v. tortulospina
Ferocactus diguettii
Ferocactus emoryi (F.
covellii )
Ferocactus glaucescens
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Yellowspin Yellow to Sun
e compass Red
Barrel
Bright red Sun
to orange
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Ca
5’ x
2’
Native
Comments
range
Baja
Cold hardy to about 20
California degrees, good drainage
Low
Ca
up to Endemic Largest barrel cactus,
12' to Baja
possibly cold hardy to 25
tall California degree C if soil is dry
Red Barrel Yellow
Cactus
Sun
Low
Ca
4’ x
2’
1500 Cold hardy to about 18
4500’,
degrees, good drainage
Pinal,
Maricopa
& Pima
County
Native
Lemon
yellow
Sun
Low
Ca
23’,
clum
ping
over
time
Endemic
to
Hidalgo,
Mexico
Baja
Reddest of the Red
California Barrels, columnar
species, cold hardy to
about 20 degrees C, good
drainage
Cold hardy to 20 degrees,
good drainage, pale
bluish color to the plant
Ferocactus gracilis
Red Barrel Red
Cactus
Sun
Low
Ca
5’ x
2’
Ferocactus
hamatacanthus
Turk's head Yellow
Sun or
partial
Low
Ca
to 2’ Native to Cold hardy to about 0
tall Texas,
degrees, good drainage
northwest
ern New
Mexico
and
Mexico
Sun
Low
Ca
up to Native to
10’ northeaste
tall rn and
central
Mexico
Potts barrel Greenish Sun
cactus
Yellow
Low
Ca
2' to Native to Nice small, harder to find
3'
Sonora,
barrel, cold hardy to
Sinoloa & around 20 degrees
Chihuahu
a, 8003300’
Ferocactus ingens
Ferocactus pottsii var.
pottsii
Bright
Yellow
Page 41
Cold hardy to most likely
about 24 degrees, needs
good drainage, huge
barrel cactus
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Longspine Red/Oran Sun
Barrel
ge
Flowers
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Ca
2’ x
2’
Ferocactus stainesii var.
pringlei (F. pringlei )
Pringle's
barrel
cactus
Yellow to Sun
Red
Low
Ca
5 - 8 Native to
‘ tall north
central
Mexico
Ferocactus wislizenii
Fishook
Barrel
Yellow to Sun
Red
Low
Ca
6’ x
2’
2000 Our local barrel cactus,
6000’,
cold hardy to about 5
Santa
degrees
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Ferocactus viridescens
San Diego Greenish Sun
Barrel
yellow
Cactus
Low
Ca
1’ x
1’
Southern Forms clumps, easy care,
California can handle occasional
Native & light frosts
Northern
Baja
Festuca arizonica
AZ Fescue
Low
Gr
2-4’ 2500clum 9500’, n
p
AZ to
Pima Co
Ficus carica
Mission
Heritage
Fig
Ficus petiolaris subsp.
palmeri
Ferocactus rectispinus
Green
Native
Comments
range
Baja
Gorgeous flowers
California
Red spined barrel,
flowers are eaten in
Mexico (with sugar
added)
High forage value, fine
blades, partial shade best
at lower elev, wd soil
Partial
Mediu Tr
mHigh
from
8 to
12’
Tall
Palmer's
Sonoran
rock fig
Sun or
Partial
Low
Tr
to
Native to
5'+ Alamos,
in
Sonora
conta
iners
Frost sensitive, best as a
container plant in
Tucson, forms massive
caudiciform trunk
Ficus petiolaris subsp.
petiolaris
Sonoran
rock fig
Sun or
Partial
Low
Tr
to
5’+
in
conta
iners
Frost sensitive, better as
a container plant in
Tucson, will develop a
caudiciform trunk over
time
Ficus pertusa
Camuchin,
Central
American
Banyon
Tree
Sun or
Partial
Low
Tr
10' - Native to Trees form massive
20’+ Alamos, caudiciform buttressed
Sonora
trunks like a banyon,
frost sensitive
Ficus trigonata
Jaguey
blanco
Partial
Low
Tr
Mediu
m
White
Page 42
Southern Several different
Arizona localities and varieties
Heirloom currently in cultivation
fruit trees
Native to
Sonora,
Alamos
area
10- Native to Frost sensitive, needs
15’ + Mexico
protected location
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Sonoran
Bluish
Partial
thoroughwo purple
rt
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sm Sh, 2.5’
m
WF
x
2.5’
Forestiera neomexicana
New
Mexico
privet
Greenish Sun,
Partial
Low- Sm Tr, 6’ - 3000Mediu Lg Sh 10’ 7000’,
m
Tall Graham
County
Native
Male & Female Plants,
produce edible berries
eaten by birds, attractive
white trunks
Forestiera shrevei
Desert
Olive
Greenish Sun,
partial
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
6 to
8’
Male/Female plants,
females produce blue
berries, great for birds,
showy shrub, very
uncommon in cultivation
Fouquieria diguettii
Palo adan
Red
Sun,
partial
Low
Su
6-8’ Native to Cold hardy to about 18
Baja
degrees
Mexico
Fouquieria macdougalii
Mexican
Tree
Ocotillo
Red
Sun
Low
Su
12’ x Sonora,
6’
Sinaloa
Fouquieria splendens
Ocotillo
Red
Sun
Low
Su
12’ x 2000 Hummingbird pollinated,
3’
5000’,
moth larval source, cold
Santa
hardy to 10 degrees
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Fragaria bracteata
Native
White
strawberry
Partial
Mediu Forb
m
up to
1’
tall,
sprea
ds
Fraxinus goodingii
Gooding
Ash
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Tr
m
6’ - 3500 10’ 5000’,
Tall Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Fleischmannia sonorae
(Eupatorium sonorae)
White
Page 43
Native
Comments
range
3500 Great butterfly nectar
5500’,
plant
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
25005000,
Tucson
Mtn
native
60009000',
Santa
Catalina
& Santa
Rita mtn
native
Cold Hardy to about 18
degrees
Edible berries, forms
small colonies, great for
wildlife, does well in
Tucson with somewhat
decent drainage & water
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Fraxinus greggii
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Littleleaf
White
Sun,
Ash, Gregg
Partial
Ash
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Lg Sh, 6 m-Low Sm Tr 10’
Tall
Fraxinus velutina
Velvet Ash White
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Tr
m
15 - 2000 20’+ 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Fraxinus velutina “Rio
Grande"
Fantex Ash, White
Rio Grande
Ash
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Tr
m-low
25’ x A slightly Fast growing, a little bit
25’ more
less water than our native
xeric plant ‘variety’
found
near El
Paso
Galactia wrightii
Wright’s
Milkpea
Sun,
Partial
Low- Vine
Mediu
m
to 4’ 3000 Butterfly larval source
6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Galvezia juncea
Snapdragon Red
Bush
Sun
Low
3’ x
3’
Garrya wrightii
Silk Tassel Yellowish Partial
Mediu Lg Sh 6’ to 3500 Nice evergreen shrub,
m-Low
8’
7000’,
produces black berries,
Santa
good bird plant
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Geranium carolinianum
Carolina
Geranium
Mediu Forb
m
Light
Purple
White
Partial
Page 44
Sh
Native
Comments
range
1200Great small, evergreen
6000’, w tree (or upright shrub)
TX, NM,
s AZ, n
Mexico
Mexico
less 2800than 5000’,
6”
Santa
Catalina
Native
Butterfly & Moth larval
source, fast grower, likes
water, good for
graywater
Hummingbird pollinated,
a little bit frost sensitive
(likes a warm spot)
An annual, but readily
reseeds and naturalizes.
A beautiful small
flowered white geranium
that is very easy to grow
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Native
Geranium
Blossom Sun
Purple to Partial
Lavender
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu WF
1’ x
m-Low
1’
Glandularia gooddingii
(Verbena gooddingii)
Goodding
verbena
Purple to Sun or
lavender Partial
Mediu Forb
m Low
2' to Santa
3’
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native,
25005000’
Glandularia latilobata
Southwest
verbena
Purple to Sun or
lavender Partial
Mediu Forb
m Low
2' to Santa
Great butterfly nectar
3’
Catalina, plant, fragrant flowers
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native,
45007500’
Glyceria striata
Fowl
mannagrass
Partial
Mediu Gr
mHigh
4-6’
tall,
at
least
3’
wide
40008000’,
Santa
Catalina
Native
Attractive riparian grass
for partial shade settings
Gossypium davidsonii
Davidson’s Yellow
Hibiscus
with red
Sun
Low
Sh
5’ x
3
Sonora,
Mexico
Showy flowers, nice
upright growth habit,
very attractive and tough
plant
Gossypium harknessii
San Marcos- Yellow
hibiscus
Sun
Low
Sh
4’ x
4’
Sonora & Produces large yellow
Baja
flowers during the hot
summer months
Gossypium thurberi
Desert
cotton
Low
Sh/Tr
5' to 300012’ 5500’,
Tall Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Geranium caespitosum
White
Sun or
with pink Partial
centers
Page 45
Native
range
6000 9000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Long lived plants, will
bloom in Tucson, does
fantastic in a container,
needs good drainage
Great butterfly nectar
plant, fragrant flowers,
short lived but tends to
reseed casually
Small, upright trees with
extra water or upright
shrubs. Large showy
flowers, moth larval host,
bee pollinated
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Graptopetalum rusbyi
Common
Name
Rusby’
Stonecrop
Blossom Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Red with Partial or Low- Su
Sever
Yellow & Shade
Mediu
al
White
m
inche
s tall
Native
range
3500 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Guaiacum angustifolium
Guayacan, Purple
Soapbush
Sun,
Partial
Low
Lg Sh 6’ to 16008’
4000’, w
TX, s TX,
ne Mexico
Guaiacum coulteri
Guayacan
Purple
Low
Sh
Guara lindheimeri
Bee
Blossom
Pink or
White
Sun,
Partial
Sun,
Partial
Guara parviflora
Littleflower Pink
ed lizardtail
Sun,
Partial
Low- Annua 1’-4’ Tucson
Mediu
tall native,
m
10006000’
Guardiola platyphylla
Apache
Plant
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
Gutierrezia sarothrae
Snakeweed Yellow
Sun
Low
Gymnosperma glutinosa
Gumhead
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
White
Yellow
Low to WF
Med
Page 46
6’ to
8’
2’ x
2’
3’ x
3’
Sm Sh, 2’ x
WF
2’
3’ x
3’
Comments
Butterfly larval source
(Xami Hairstreak), great
rock plant/container plant
Beautiful shrub with
gorgeous purple flowers,
butterfly larval plant,
frost hardy to low 20’s
Sonora,
Same as above
Mexico
Western Butterfly nectar source
Texas,
Chihuahu
an Desert
3000 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Annual, but naturalizes
readily, moth larval host
(beautiful
caterpillar/diurnal moth)
Good butterfly nectar
source, interesting
foliage, better in partial
shade
2000 Great tough plant,
7000’,
attractive when in bloom,
Santa
good nectar source
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
3500 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Santa
Rita Mtn
Native
Great monsoon/fall
nectar source for
pollinators
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Brazilwood Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Tr
10Mediu
20’ x
m
1020’
Native
Comments
range
Mexican Needs a warm spot, a
west coast little frost sensitive,
beautiful tree, rarely used
in landscaping, cold
hardy to low-mid 20’s
Haplophyton crooksii
Dwarf
Desert
Plumeria
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sm Sh 2’ x
Mediu
2’
m
2000 Great tough local plant,
4500’,
summer/fall bloomer
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Havardia mexicana
Mexican- White
ebony, Palo
Chino
Sun
Low
Tr
15 - Sonora
25’ and Baja
Cold hardy to about 15
degrees, slow growing
Havardia pallens
Tenaza
White
Sun
Low
Tr
20’ x Southern
15- Texas &
20’ Northeast
ern
Mexico
Butterfly larval source,
flowers have a wonderful
evening fragrance, cold
hardy to 17 degrees
Hechtia montana
False
Agave,
Mescalito
Cream
Sun,
FilSun
Low
Su
1’ x
1’
Baja,
Sonora,
higher
elev
Bromeliad family.
Grows by budding. very
wd soil, full sun or light
shade, cold hardy to at
least 20 degrees
Hedeoma hyssopifolia
False
Light
Pennyroyal Purple
Partial
Mediu Forb
m-Low
2’ x
2’
5000 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
and
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Good butterfly nectar
source, nice small
compact plant in mint
family
Hedeoma nana
Dwarf
Lavender Partial
False
Pennyroyal
Mediu Forb
m-Low
2’ x
2’
3000 Good butterfly nectar
7000’,
source, likes good
Santa
drainage, great plant
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Haematoxylum brasiletto
Yellow
Page 47
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Oblongleaf Lavender Sun or
false
partial
pennyroyal
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Forb 1.5’
mediu
x
m
1.5’
Henrya insularis
Island
renegade
White
with
purple
Sun or
partial
Mediu Forb
m-low
2' to Native to Butterfly larval host, lush
3'
Sonora
foliage
and Baja
California
Herrisantia crispa
Bladdermal Cream
low
Sun,
Partial
Low
Gr
2’ x
3’
2000 4000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Great Desert Tortoise &
native bee plant,
interesting native
groundcover
Hesperaloe funifera
Giant
White
Hesperaloe
Evening
White
blooming
Hesperaloe
Sun
Low
Su
Sun,
Partial
Low
Su
6’ x
6’
5’ x
3
Northern
Mexico
Sonora,
Mexico
Great accent plant, cold
hardy to 10 degrees
Great accent plant, cold
hardy to 10 degrees
Low
Su
3’ x
4’
Central &
sw TX,
Coahuila,
Mexico
Good hummingbird
flowers, wd soils, good
container plant, slow to
moderate growth, cold
hardy to -20 degrees
Hedeoma oblongifolia
Hesperaloe nocturna
Native
range
3200 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Good butterfly nectar
source, good drainage,
beautiful small accent
Hesperaloe parviflora
Red
Red
Hesperaloe
Heteropogon contortus
Tanglehead
Sun,
Partial
Low
Gr
2’ x
1’
10006000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Short-lived perennial
bunchgrass (2-3 yrs),
reseeds easily, wd soils
preferred
Heterotheca subaxillaris
Camphorw Yellow
eed
Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
5’ x
5’
1000’5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Reseeds readily,
medicinal, great
pollinator nectar source
in the late summer,
annual
Page 48
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Heterotheca villosa
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Hairy false Yellow
Partial
goldenaster
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Forb 2' x
Mediu
2'
m
Native
range
15008500’,
Northern
& Central
AZ native,
down to
Pima
County
Comments
Herbaceous perennial,
larger blooms than H.
coulteri, very pretty,
great bee plant
Very easy once
established, long bloom
periods, attractive, great
for pollinators
Hibiscus biseptis
Arizona
Yellow
Rosemallo with red
w
Full,Parti Low- Sh
al
Mediu
m
2’ x
2’
2000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Hibiscus cardiophyllus
Heartleaved Red
Hibiscus
Full
Low
Sh
3’ x
3’
Western Extremely tough, very
Texas,
showy, blooms in
Chihuahu summer
an Desert
Hibiscus coulteri
Desert
Rosemallow
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm Sh 3’ x
3’
2000 4500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Woody perennial,
gorgeous large flowers,
great bee plant, attracts
butterflies and
hummingbirds
Hibiscus denudatus
Rock
Hibiscus
Lavender Sun
Low
Sm Sh 2’ x
2’
1000 4000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
One of the hardiest and
showiest local Tucson
native plants recommended, can attract
butterflies and
hummingbirds
Hibiscus lasiocarpus
Rockmallo White
w
Partial
Mediu Sm Sh 3' x
m
3'
New
Mexico &
Texas
Native
Huge showy flowers with
red centers, hummingbird
pollinated, can work as a
pond plant also
Hierochloe odorata
Sweetgrass
Partial
Mediu Gr
m-Low
6000 or
above,
northern
Arizona
Very easy to grow in
Tucson as an understory
plant, sacred incense
plant for native peoples
Page 49
2'
tall,
sprea
ds
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Hilaria belangeri
Common
Name
Curly
mesquite
Blossom Sun
Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Gr
6” x
mat
Native
range
20006500’, c
TX to s
AZ
Comments
Spreads by stolons, great
forage grass, especially
for Desert Tortoise
Hilaria mutica
Tobosa
Grass
Sun
Low
Gr
3’ x
2’
2000 6000’,
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Very tough grass
Hilaria rigida
Big galleta
Sun
Low
Gr
3’ x
3’
1000 5500’,
Western
Arizona
Long-lived bunch grass,
the most drought tolerant
grass in the western
United States
Holacantha emoryi
(Castella emoryi)
Crucifixion Greenish Sun
Thorn
Yellow
Low
Sh
8 to Below
Tough, thorny &
12’ 2000’,
menacing, hard to find at
Tall Pima,
nurseries
Pinal &
Maricopa
County
Native
Hordeum jubatum
Foxtail
barley
Low- Gr
Mediu
m
to 2' 4000clum 8000',
ps
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
native,
Pima &
Santa
Cruz
County
native
large fluffy seed heads
turn reddish color, but
can be damaging to
livestock, pets, small
children and the
elderly…
Humulus lupulus var.
neomexicana
New
Mexican
hops
Yellowish Partial
Mediu Vine
m+
6' or
typic
ally
longe
r
40008000',
Santa
Catalina
&
Chiricahu
a Mtn
native
Medicinal plant, loved as
a primary ingredient in
beer brewing, supplies
seasonally limited
Hymenothrix wrightii
Wright's
thimble
head
White
Low
2' to Santa
4’
Catalina
tall & Rincon
Mtn
native,
30007000’
Great pollinator plant,
larval host, fall bloomer,
can naturalize, attractive
basal rosette during early
growing season
Sun,
Partial
Sun,
Partial
Page 50
Forb
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Hyptis emoryi
Common
Name
Desert
Lavender
Blossom Sun
Lavender Sun,
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sh
6’ x
5’
Native
range
1000 3500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Probably the most
attractive native grass, its
range is shrinking
nationally, butterfly
larval host
Fragrant foliage, great
nectar source for
pollinators
Imperata brevifolia
Satin-tail
Partial
Mediu Gr
m
3’ x
3’
To 4500’
AZ, only
known
from 7
localities
in Arizona
Indigofera sphaerocarpa
Indigobush Pink &
White
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
4’ x
4’
3500 Butterfly larval source, a
7000’,
unique legume shrub,
Santa
fast grower
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Ipomoea longifolia
A state rare plant that is
currently banned by the
ARIZ Dept of
Agriculture
Ipomoea thurberi
A nationally listed very
rare plant that is currently
banned by ARIZ Dept of
Agriculture
Ipomopsis aggreggata
Scarlet
Gilia
Red
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
2’ x
2’
5000 8000’,
Northern
Arizona
Native
Iris missiouriensis var.
arizonica
Missouri
Iris
Purple
Sun,
Partial
Low- WF
Mediu
m
1’ x
1’
5000 Only Iris native to
9000’,
Arizona, surprisingly
Chiricihua tough in the desert
& White
Mtn
Native
Page 51
Showy Red blooms, cool
basal leave growth
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Alkali
Yellow
Sun
Goldenbush
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sh
3’ x
3’
Isocoma tenuisecta
Burrowwee Yellow
d
Sun
Low
Sh
Isomeris arborea
Bladderpod Yellow
Sun
Low
Sh
Jacquemontia pringlei
Pringle’s
White
Clustervine
Sun,
Partial
Low- Vine
Mediu
m
to 8’ 3000 Perennial native morning
4000’,
glory vine, strong
Santa
bloomer
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Jathropha cardiophylla
Limber
Bush
White
Sun
Low
Sh
4’ x
4’
1000 3500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Interesting
accent/specimen plant,
great winter dormant
look, unusual, cold hardy
to around 15
Jatropha cinerea
Arizona
White
nettlespurg
e
Sun
Low
Sh
6' to under
15’ 2000',
tall southwest
ern
Arizona,
Organ
pipe,
Mexico
Small tree to large shrub,
caudiciform tree, large
leaves,uncommon in
cultivation, hardy from
20-25 degrees
Isocoma acradenia
Page 52
Native
range
1000 4000’,
Pima,
Pinal &
Yuma
County
Native
Comments
3’ x
3’
1000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Great for revegetation,
extremely tough, good
nectar source in
summer/fall
4’ x
4’
To 3900’, Evergreen, very pretty
CA, Baja when in bloom, tough,
good nectar source
Very tough and xeric
once established, great
pollinator nectar source
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Jatropha cuneata
Common
Name
Phsicnut
Blossom Sun
White
Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sh
4' to
8’
Jatropha macrorhiza var. Ragged
Pink
macrorhiza
nettlespurg
e
Sun or
Partial
Low
Juncus ensifolius var.
montanus
Rocky
Mountain
Rush
Sun,
Partial
Juniperus deppeana
Alligator
juniper
Juniperus monosperma
Comments
Unusual, small leaved
woody shrub, uncommon
in cultivation, cold hardy
from 20 to 25 degrees
to 2' 35005500',
Pima &
Santa
Cruz
Counties
Showy flowered jatropha
with large, dissected
leaves, forms a tuber in
soil, cold hardy to 10
degrees
Mediu Gr
mHigh
2’ x
2’
3000 7500’,
Santa
Catalina
Native
Great aquatic or pond
plant, leaf base has
interesting Iris-like
appearance
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Tr
m
1550’
30007000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Huge upright juniper
tree, needs occasional
deep irrigations, blue
berries useful for cooking
or incense
One seed
juniper
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Tr
m-Low
15 - 3500 The most appropriate
15’ + 5500’,
native juniper for our
Santa
area
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Justicia californica
Chuparosa Red or
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sh
3’ x
4’
1000 2500’,
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Hummingbird pollinated,
can bloom during the
wintertime
Justicia candicans
Red
Red
Justicia,
Chichuahua
n
Honeysuckl
e
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
4’ x
3’
1500 3500’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Great hummingbird and
butterfly nectar source
Page 53
Forb
Native
range
10002000',
southwest
ern
Arizona,
Organ
Pipe
national
monument
, Mexico
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Longflower White
Sun,
Tubetongue
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sh
2’ x
2’
Justicia sonorae
Sonoran
Light
Honeysuckl Purple
e
Sun,
Partial
Low
Justicia spicigera
Mexican
Orange
honeysuckl
e
Partial or Low
Shade
Sh
Koanophyllum palmeri
(Eupatorium
solidaginifolium)
Shrubby
White
thoroughwo
rt
Partial
Low
Sh
Koeberlinia spinosa
Allthorn,
White
Crucifixion
Thorn
Full
Low
Lg Sh 8’ x
6’
Krameria erecta
Range
ratany
Pink
Full
Low
Sh
2' to 20003.5’ 4500',
Tucson
Mtn
native
Fragrant flowers, super
tough and xeric,
traditional medicinal
plant, coming to the
nursery in 2015!
Lachnostoma arizonicum
Arizona
Ribpod
Milkweed
Vine
White
Full,Parti Low
al
Vine
To 5’ 3000 4500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Butterfly larval source,
interesting large
seedpods hang on the
vines for a long time
Justicia longii
Page 54
Native
range
2000 4000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Sonora,
Mexico
Great hummingbird and
butterfly nectar source,
spreads, beautiful in the
spring
3’ x
3’
Northern
Mexico
Evergreen, hummingbird
pollinated, can handle
full sun but does better
with shade
3’ x
3’
2000 Blooms in monsoon
4500’,
seasons, moth larval host,
Santa
tough plant
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Sm Sh 2’ x
2’
2000 5000’,
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Beautiful evening, early
morning flowers, moth
pollinated, beautiful in
bloom
Great barrier plant birds
like black berries,
extremely tough
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Blossom Sun
Lagascea decipiens
Common
Name
Lagascea
Larrea tridentata subsp.
divaricata
Creosote
Bush
Yellow
Full
Yellow
Full,Parti Low- Sm Sh 2’ x
al
Mediu
2’
m
Lasianthera podacephala San Pedro
Daisy
Yellow
Water Form Size
(hw)
Full,Parti Mediu Sh
3’ al
m-Low
5’
Low
Lg Sh 8’ x
8’
Native
range
30004500’,
Atascosa
&
Baboquiv
ari Mtn
Native
Comments
1000 4500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
The ultimate desert plant,
amazing fragrance after
rains, blooms constantly,
evergreen
Butterfly larval & nectar
source, showy prolific
bloomer, likes a warm
spot
3000 Good pollinator nectar
5000’,
plant
Rincon &
Pajarito
Mtn
Native
Full,Parti Low
al
Gr
4’ x
2’
2500Butterfly larval source,
6000’,
nice upright larger grass
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Violet
Full
Low
Sh
3’ x
3’
Southwest Whitish foliage contrasts
ern Texas nicely with dark purple
flowers, small “Ranger”,
very tough
Texas
Light
Ranger,
Purple
Texas-sage
Full
Low
Sh
7’ x
7’
10004500’, sw
TX, ne
Mexico
Leucophyllum laevigatum Chihuahuan Lavender Full
Rainsage
Low
Sh
4’ x
5’
4000Coldy hardy, evergreen,
7800’,
impressive in bloom, a
Chihuahu unique ‘Ranger’
a,
Coahuila
Leptochloa dubia
Green
sprangletop
Leucophyllum candidum
Violet
Silverleaf
Leucophyllum frutescens
Page 55
Cold hardy to 0 degrees,
profusion of blooms in
summer, evergreen &
tough
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Leucophyllum langmaniae Langman’s Lavender Full
texas sage
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sh
6' to
7’
Leucophyllum pruinosum Fragrant
Dark
Ranger,
Purple
Bubblegum
Sage
Full
Low
Sh
6’ x
6’
Northern
Mexico
Wonderfully fragrant
flowers have strong scent
of grape bubblegum
Leucophyllum
zygophyllum
Blue
Ranger
Bluish
Full
Low
Sh
4’ x
4’
Texas &
Northern
Mexico
Nice smaller “Ranger”,
nice compact foliage
Leuchtenbergia principis
Prism
cactus,
agave
cactus
Lemon
yellow
Full,
Low
afternoon
shade
Ca
2' to Native to
3'
northcentral
Mexico
(Chihuahu
a, San
Luis
Potosi)
Linum lewisii
Blue Flax
Blue
Full,Parti Low- Sh
al
Mediu
m
2’ x
2’
3500 Reseeds, beautiful
7500’,
flowers
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Lippia graveolens
Mexican
Oregano
White
Full,Parti Mediu Sh
al
m
5’ x
5’
NM, TX, Great butterfly &
n Mexico hummingbird nectar
plant, great quality
culinary herb
Lippia nudiflora
Frog fruit
White
Partial
Mediu GC
m
6’ x
mat
Texas
Native
Host plant for Phaon
Crescent butterfly,
spreads rapidly by
runners with enough
water
Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal
Flower
Red
Full,Parti Mediu WF
al
m
2’ x
2’
4000 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Hummingbird &
butterfly nectar source,
gorgeous plant, likes
water
Page 56
Native
Comments
range
Chihuahu Cold hardy, evergreen,
a, Texas entire plants turns
completely lavender
when in bloom, long
blooming cycle
Only species in this
genus, very unique, must
have species, cold hardy
to 18 degrees
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Lobelia laxiflora
Common
Name
Sierra
Madre
Lobelia
Blossom Sun
Light Red Partial
with
Orange
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sm Sh 3’ x
m-Low
3’
Native
Comments
range
3000 Tougher than L.
5000’,
cardinalis
only
known
from the
Pajarito &
Rincon
Mtns
Lonicera albiflora
White
White
Honeysuckl
e
Partial
Mediu Vine
m
to 8’ 3500 Woody vining ‘shrub’,
5500’,
moth pollinated,
Santa Rita produces berries
&
Huachuca
Mtn
Native
Lonicera interrupta
Chapparal White
Honeysuckl
e
Partial
Mediu Vine
m
to 8’ 3500 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Lophocereus schotti
Senita
Full,Parti Low
al
Ca
10’ x 1000Requires warm location,
12’ 2000’,
edible fruit, cold hardy to
Native to around 18 degrees
Organpipe
, AZ &
Sonora
Full,Parti Low
al
Ca
10’ x Baja
10’
No spines, nurse plant
helps growth, cold hardy
to around 18 degrees
Pink
Lophocereus schottii var. Totem Pole
monstrosus
Cactus
Lotus greenei
Green’s
deervetch
Lotus rigidus
Desert rock Yellow
pea,
shrubby
deervetch
Yellow
Woody vining ‘shrub’,
moth pollinated,
produces berries, showier
than L. albiflora
Partial
Low- Forb
mediu
m
1' to 40002’
7000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Low growing lotus that
works great in partial
shade in well drained
soils
Sun
Low
2' to 30003'
5000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Very tough, requires
good drainage, don’t
overwater, heavy
bloomer
Page 57
Sh
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Lycium andersonii
Common
Name
Anderson
Wolfberry
Blossom Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Lavender Full,Parti Low- Lg Sh 5’ x
al
Mediu
5’
m
Lycium berlandieri
Narrowleaf Lavender Full,Parti Low- Sh
Wolfberry
al
Mediu
m
Lycium brevipes
Baja
Wolfberry
Lycium californicum
Californica Lavender Full,
wolfberry
Partial
5’ x
5’
Lavender Full,Parti Low- Lg Sh 8’ x
al
Mediu
10’
m
Native
range
1000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Comments
Edible red berries loved
by birds & people,
incredible wildlife plant
2000 Edible red berries loved
4500’,
by birds & people,
Santa
incredible wildlife plant
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Baja
Delicious berries, highly
productive, surprisingly
cold hardy to over 4500’,
fast
Low- Sm Sh 3' x
Mediu
3'
m
Pinal and
Maricopa
County
Native
Nice little wolf berry,
typically just to about 3
feet or so, great bird
plant
Lycium exsertum
Thornbush White to Full,Parti Low- Lg Sh 5’ x
pale
al
Mediu
5’
purple
m
2000 4500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Edible red berries loved
by birds & people,
incredible wildlife plant,
sexually dimorphic
Lycium fremontii
Fremont
Wolfberry
Lavender Full,Parti Low- Lg Sh 5’ x
al
Mediu
5’
m
1000 3500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Edible red berries loved
by birds & people,
incredible wildlife plant,
sexually dimorphic
Lycium pallidum
Paleleaf
Green
Wolfberry,
Tomatillo
4’ x
6’
3000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Huge green flowers,
massive berries & leaves,
very unusual Wolfberry,
the herbalists choice
Full,Parti Low- Sh
al
Mediu
m
Page 58
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form
Name
Desert-fern, White
Full,Parti Low
Tr
Feather
al
Tree
Size
(hw)
16’ x
18’
Macfadyena ungis-cati
Cat’s claw Yellow
vine
Full,
partial
Low
Vine
10' to Native to Very cold and drought
20’ Alamos, tolerant, huge yellow
Sonora
flowers, evergreen, super
tough, vigorous
Machaeranthera
asteroides
Aster
Purple
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sh
2’ x
2’
2000 5500’,
Pima
County
Native
Great butterfly nectar
source, spreads readily
from seed
Machaeranthera
tanacetifolius
Tansyleaf
Aster
Purple
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sh
2’ x
2’
2000 5500’,
Pima
County
Native
Great butterfly nectar
source, spreads readily
from seed, beautifly lacy
foliage
Macroptilium
atropurpureum
Bloodred
Beanvine
Wine Red Sun,
or
Partial
Purplish
Mediu Vine
m-Low
To
15’
4000’,
Striking burgundy
Baboquiv blossoms, sun (aft shade
ari &
best in low desert)
Coyote
Mountain
Native
Macroptilium
gibbosifolium
Variablelea Orange
f Bushbean
Sun,
Partial
Low- Vine
Mediu
m
To 5’ 3000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Macrosiphonia
brachysiphon
Huachuca White
Rocktrump
et
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sm Sh 2’ x
m-Low
2’
Lysiloma microphylla v.
thornberi
Page 59
Native
range
In US,
only in the
Rincon
Mountatin
s, 28004000’,
Sonora
Comments
Beautiful thornless,
shade tree, is frost
sensitive above 3000’,
butterfly larval host
3500 Sweet fragrant, large
5500’,
flowers in summertime,
Santa
moth pollinated
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form
Name
Turk’s Cap Red
Partial or Med
Sh
Shade
Size Native
(hw) range
4’ x Mexico
3’
Mammillaria bombycina
Silken
Pink
pincushion
cactus
Partial
shade
Low
Ca
1' + Native to Large blooms, forms
clum west
good clumps
ps
central
Mexico
(Jalisco,
Aguascali
entes)
Mammillaria grahamii
Graham’s Pink
pincushion
cactus
Partial
Shade
Low
Ca
typic
ally
about
6”
tall
Mammillaria
magnimamma
Pincushion Often
Partial
cactus
deep pink Shade
Low
Ca
to 5” 500One of the easier
tall 8000’,
Mammillaria’s to grow
western
Mexico,
widely
distributed
Mammilllaria mystax
Pincushion Magenta Partial
cactus
Shade
Low
Ca
up to Native to Nice spiraling to the
6”
west
spines on the body of the
tall Mexico
plant, with a ring of
(Pueblo, magenta blooms at the
etc), 3200- top of cactus
8300’
Mammillaria parkinsonii
Owl eye’s Pale
Partial
pincushion yellow
Shade
cactus
with red
mid veins
Low
Ca
to 68”
tall,
to 1’
wide
Native to Heads split in half, as the
Mexico
plants get wider with
(Queretar time, easy and unusual
o), 32007800’
Mammillaria rhodantha
Rainbow
Bright
pincushion pink
cactus
Partial
shade
Low
Ca
to
15”
tall,
clum
ps
Native to
central
Mexico,
560010800’
Manfreda maculosa
Texaas
tuberosa
Sun or
Partial
Low
Su
Mediu
m
Malvaviscus arboreus
var. drummondii
White
Page 60
25006000,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Comments
Best in shade or
understory. Bright red
blossoms, hummingbirds,
edible red fruits (like a
berry)
Large attractive flowers,
delicious edible red
fruits, one of the prettiest
of the pincushions and
our most common one
Highly variable plant,
several different
subspecies, showy in
cultivation
1’,
Native to Cold hardy to 10 degrees,
sprea Texas and fragrant flowers,
ds
Mexico
butterfly larval host
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Marsdenia edulis
Blossom Sun
White
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Vine To
Mediu
10’+
m
low
Sm Sh 2’ x
2’
Native
range
Alamos,
Sonora
Comments
Forms corky stalks, male
& female plants,
immature fruit is eaten
similar to mango
Marina parryi
Parry
marina
Purple
with
White
Sun
Mariosousa millefolia
(Acacia millefolia)
Santa Rita
Acacia
White
Sun, PtSh Low
Lg Sh 5 - Rincon, Somewhat rare in the
10’ Santa Rita wild, beautiful flowers,
Tall & Pajarito great small patio tree
Mtn
Native,
3500 5000’
Mariosousa willardiana
(Acacia willardiana)
Palo blanco White
Sun
Low
Sm Tr 20’ x Sonora,
10’ Mexico
Mascagnia lilacia
Purple
Purple
Mascagnia
Sun,
Partial
Low- Vine
Mediu
m
to
15’
Coahuila Evergreen, beautiful
Mexico
flowering vine, slow at
first but then takes off
after 2nd year
Mascagnia macroptera
Yellow
Yellow
Orchid-vine
Sun,
Partial
Low
Vine
to
15’
Baja,
Sonora
Matelea parviflora
Smallflowe Dark
r milkvine purple
(almost
black)
Sun,
Partial
Low
Vine
to 5' 20003500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
native
Butterfly larval host,
extremely tough vine
once established, nearly
black flowers
Matelea producta
Texas
milkvine
Partial
Low- Vine
Mediu
m
to 3' 30005000',
Santa
Catalina
& Coyote
Mtn
native
Large green, pendulous
flowers, butterfly and
moth larval host, great
twining groundcover/vine
Green
Page 61
2000 Interesting little plant,
4500’,
available occasionally
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Slightly frost sensitive,
likes nice warm spot,
great specimen tree
Good evergreen vine
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Maurandya
antirrhiniflora
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Snapdragon- Purple or Partial
vine
Red
Water Form Size Native
(hw) range
Low
Vine to 8’ 15006000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Comments
Hummingbird pollinated,
pretty flowers, can
reseed, great small vine
Melampodium leucanthum Blackfooot White
Daisy
Sun
Low
Sm Sh 2’x
2’
2000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Menodora scabra
Rough
Menodora
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm Sh 2’ x
2’
2000 Tough plant, lightly
4500’,
fragrant flowers
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Menodora longiflora
Showy
menodora
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sm sh 2' x
2'
New
Cold hardy and tough,
Mexico & long tubular fragrant
Texas
flowers
native
Mentha arvensis
Wild Mint Whitish
pink
Partial
Mediu GC
m
Mimosa biuncifera
Catclaw
Mimosa
White
Full,Parti Low- Sh
al
Mediu
m
Mimosa dysocarpa
Velvetpod
Mimosa
Lavender Sun
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
Page 62
Very tough plant,
typically grows on
limestone, good nectar
source
1’ x
2’
5000 The only true mint native
8000’,
to Arizona, absolutely
Chiricahu delicious
a & White
Mtn
Native
6’ x
6’
2000The everlovable Catclaw
6000’,
mimosa, butterfly larval
Santa
source, great barrier plant
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
4’ x
5’
35006500,
Santa Rita
& Pajarito
Mtn
Native
Considered to be the
showiest of our four
native Mimosa species,
butterfly larval source
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Mimosa laxiflora
Common
Name
Arizona
Mimosa
Blossom Sun
Pink
Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Sh
5’ x
Mediu
4’
m
Native
range
1000 3000’,
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Comments
55008000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Santa
Rita mtn
native
Does well in Tucson but
requires good drainage,
showy larger flowers,
moth larval host
Attractive upright growth
habit, pretty and unusual
plant, butterfly larval
source
Mirabilis albida (M.
oblongifolia)
White four White
o’clock
Partial
Mediu Forb
m-low
2' x
2'
Mirabilis coccineus
Scarlet four Red
o’clock
Sun or
partial
Low- Forb
mediu
m
2' to 35002
5500',
1/2’ Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Mirabilis laevis
Wishbone
four
o’clock
white
sun or
with pink partial
Low
2' x
2'
2000Very tough, and showy
4500',
when in bloom, moth
Tucson & larval host
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
native
Mirabilis longiflora
Evening
scented
Four
O’Clock
White
with
purple
stamen
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
4’ x
4’
4000 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Fragrant evening flowers,
moth pollinated & larval
source, forms large tuber,
summer bloomer
Mirabilis multiflora
Showy
Four
O’Clock
Magenta Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
3’ x
3’
3000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Large showy flowers,
moth larval source, forms
large tuber, easy once
established
Page 63
Forb
Thin linear leaves with
showy red flowers, moth
larval host, hummingbird
pollinated
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Morus microphylla
Common
Name
Western
Mulberry
Blossom Sun
Pale
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Tr
from
m-Low
6 to
10’
Comments
Originally native to
Tucson, good bird plant,
small edible fruits, easy
& local
1.5’ 4000x
6500’,
1.5’ Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
High forage value,
wonderful small
bunchgrass, great accent
grass, needs good
drainage
Mediu Gr
m
4’ x
4’
2000 4000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Butterfly larval source,
beautiful graceful
bunchgrass, great as a
patio plant or container
plant
Partial
Mediu Gr
m
3' x
3'
30005000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Rare plant, beautiful
muhly grass that looks
like a small bull grass
with weeping flower
spikes
Sun,
Partial
Low- Gr
Mediu
m
3’ x
4’
3500 Attractive large
7000’,
bunchgrass, butterfly
Santa
larval source
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Partial
Low- Gr
Mediu
m
3’ x
3’
5000 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
and
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Muhlenbergia
alopecuroides (Lycurus
setosus)
Wolftail
Full,Parti Low
al
Muhlenbergia dumosa
Bamboomuhly
Partial
Muhlenbergia elongata
Weeping
muhly
Muhlenbergia emersleyi
Bull Grass
Muhlenbergia longiligula Longtongue
Muhly
Native
range
3000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Page 64
Gr
Similar to M. emersleyi,
but with longer ligules
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Muhlenbergia pauciflora
Common
Name
New
Mexico
muhly
Blossom Sun
Muhlenbergia polycaulis
Cliff Muhly
Sun,
Partial
Low- Gr
Mediu
m
2’ x
2’
3500 Whitish seedheads are
5500’,
striking, very pretty grass
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Muhlenbergia porteri
Bushmuhly
Sun
Low
Gr
3’x
3’
2000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Muhlenbergia rigens
Deer Grass
Sun,
Partial
Low- Gr
Mediu
m
3’ x
4’
2500High forage value
7000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Muhlenbergia rigida
Purple
muhly
Partial
Low- Gr
mediu
m
3' to
4'
clum
p
38005500’,
Santa Rita
Mountain
native
Muhlenbergia torreyi
Ring muhly
Sun,
Partial
Low
2' x Central
2’ + Arizona
native,
50007000’
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Gr
3' x
mediu
2'
m
Page 65
Gr
Native
range
40006000',
Santa
Catalina
and
Rincon
Mtn
native
Comments
Slender, upright grass
with pinkish
flowerheads, very unique
shapes
Purplish flowers in
August, high forage
value, extremely tough,
loved by Desert Tortoises
Somewhat rare in
Arizona, showy dark
purple flower heads, like
a small bull grass but
more purple
Forms an empty ‘ring’ in
the center of the plants interesting appearance
when mature
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Screwleaf
Muhly
Blossom Sun
Nicotiana obtusifolia
Desert
Tobacco
White
Full,Parti Low
al
Sm Sh, 2’ x
WF
1’
Nolina bigelovii
Bigelow
Nolina
White
Full,Parti Low
al
Su
8’ x
6’
To 3500’,
se CA, w
AZ, Baja
and
Sonora
Full sun and well drained
soils are key, cold hardy
to 15 degrees, forms a
small multi-trunked tree
Nolina matapensis
Sonoran
tree
beargrass
White
Full,
Partial
Low
Su
to 8
feet
Sonora,
Mexico
Attractive trunked
beargrass with swollen
trunk, cold hardy to 5
degrees, graceful
Nolina microcarpa
Beargrass, White
Sacahuista
Full,Parti Low
al
Su
5’ x
5’
3000Great accent plant, very
6500’,
tough and durable, cold
Santa
hardy to -15 degrees
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Nolina nelsonii
Blue tree
beargrass
White
Full or
partial
Low
Su
up to Chihuahu Trunked beargrass with
8 feet an Desert strongly bluish cast to
tall Native in leaves over time, slow
Mexico, growing but spectacular,
huge
hardy to -20 degrees
geographi
cal range
Nolina parviflora
Small
flowered
Mexican
tree
beargrass
White
Full or
partial
Low
Su
up to Vera
15’ Cruz,
tall Mexico,
mountains
up to
8000’
Muhlenbergia straminea
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Gr
3’ x
m
3’
Page 66
Native
range
4000 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Interesting Muhly grass,
older leaf blades curly up
adding a distinctive
appearance
2000 Good nectar source, can
5000’,
bloom throughout the
Santa
year, reseeds readily
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Very xeric and cold
hardy, graceful, like a
giant pony-tail palm, cold
hardy to 10 degrees
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Texas
beargrass
Blossom Sun
White
Full,
partial
Oenothera caespitosa
Tufted
Evening
primrose
White
Full,Parti Low
al
Oenothera elata ssp.
hirsutissima (O. hookeri)
Hooker’s
Evening
Primrose
Yellow
Full,Parti Mediu sh
al
m
5’ x
2’
Olneya tesota
Desert
Ironwood
Pink
Full,Parti Low
al
Tr
15 - 1000 20’+ 2500’,
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Requires good drainage,
slow growing, edible
tasty seeds, beautiful
when in bloom, cold
hardy to about 15 degrees
Opuntia basilaris
Beavertail
Cactus
Pink
Full,Parti Low
al
Ca
3’ x
4’
1000 3000,
Western
Arizona
Edible fruits, loved by
specialized native bees,
great for birds and
animals, cold hardy to 10 degrees
Opuntia engelmannii var. Engelmann' Yellow
engelmannii
s prickly
pear
Full or
Partial
Low
Ca
4' to
5’
clum
ps
20006000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Delicious edible fruits
with red centers (when
properly cooked), great
for bees & wildlife, cold
hardy to 10 degrees
Opuntia fragilis var.
brachyartha
Full or
partial
Low
Ca
less
than
6”
tall,
2’
wide
50008000',
northern
Arizona,
New
Mexico
Nice decumbent prickly
pear with small pads,
huge 1-2” yellow
flowers, great miniature
cactus, cold hardy to -10
degrees
Nolina texana
Brittle
prickly
bush
Yellow
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sun
to 3'
tall
Page 67
Native
range
Native to
Texas and
northern
Mexico
Sm Sh, 1’ x 4000WF
1.5’ 7500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
3500’9000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Comments
Attractive small
beargrass, cold hardy to 5
degrees
Beautiful large flowers,
sphinx moth larval and
nectar source, can reseed,
likes good drainage
Flower stalks produce a
huge number of blooms,
reseeds readily, birds
love seeds
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Eastern
Yellow
Full or
prickly pear
partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Ca
less
than
1’
tall,
3’-4’
wide
Opuntia laevis
Smooth
Yellow
prickly pear
Low
Ca
up to 25008 feet 5000',
tall Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Opuntia macrocentra
Long-spine Yellow
Full,Parti Low
Prickly
with Red al
Pear
Ca
3’ x
4’
3000 Cold hardy to 10 degrees
5000’,
Pima &
Maricopa
County
Native
Opuntia phaecantha
Sprawling
Prickly
Pear
Full,Parti Low
al
Ca
3’ x
5’
2000 Coldy hardy to -20
5000’,
degrees
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Opuntia robusta
Giant
Yellow
prickly pear
cactus
Full,
partial
Low
Ca
up to Endemic Huge purple edible fruits,
9 feel to Mexico cold hardy to around 25
tall
degrees
Opuntia santa-rita
Santa Rita
Prickly
Pear
Yellow
Full,Parti Low
al
Ca
3’ x
4’
3000 6000’,
Santa Rita
Mountain
Native
Attractive purplish pads,
edible fruits, great for
specialized native bees,
cold hardy to 0 degrees
Opuntia stenopetala
Nopal
serrano
Orangish Full,
red
Partial
Ca
3' to Native to
5'
Mexico
wide (Coahuila,
San Luis
Potosi,
Hidalgo,
Queretaro
)
Attractive purplish lines
develop on the pads with
stress, very pretty prickly
pear, unusual in
cultivation
Opuntia humifusa
Yellow
Full or
partial
Low
Page 68
Native
range
New
Mexico
native
Comments
Very cold hardy, low
growing plant with large
yellow flowers, cold
hardy to -20 degrees
Upright, arborescent
prickly pear, with huge
fruits that taste like
honeydew melon, cold
hardy to around 20
degrees
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Alpine
Lavender Partial
woodsorrel,
Alpine
clover
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Gr
1’ x
m-Low
1’
Pachycormus discolor
Baja
White
elephant
tree, torote
blanco
Sun,
Partial
Low
Panicum bulbosum
Bulb
Pink
Panicgrass
Partial
Mediu Gr
m-Low
3’ x
3’
4000 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Santa
Rita Mtn
Native
Panicum obtusum
Vine
Mesquite
Grass
Full,Parti Mediu Gr
al
m-Low
1’ x
mat
1000Low spreading grass,
6000’,
spreads by runners, good
Originally forage value
native to
Santa
Cruz
River
Panicum virgatum
Switchgrass
Sun or
Partial
Low
Gr
3' tall 2000x 2’ 7000',
wide mostly
northern
Arizona,
but also
San Pedro
Riparian
Area
(Cochise
Cnty)
Pappophorum vaginatum
Pappusgras
s
Full
Low
Gr
3’ x
3’
Oxalis metcalfei (O.
alpina)
Page 69
Tr
Native
range
5000 9000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Forms little bulbs,
spreads by bulbs, showy
when in bloom, great in
containers
6' to Endemic Winter growing, do not
15' to Baja
water much in the
tall California summertime, cold hardy
to the mid to low 20’s
Showy flower spikes,
produces large seeds that
can be harvested for
grain by people, butterfly
larval host, wildlife
Foliage turns a bluish
cast later in the season,
very pretty grass, high
forage value for
pets/livestock
1000 Very tough, reseeds and
4000’,
can naturalize, birds like
Santa
to eat seeds
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Parkinsonia florida
(Cercicidium floridum)
Common
Name
Blue Palo
Verde
Blossom Sun
Yellow
Water Form Size
(hw)
Full,Parti Low- Tr
20’ x
al
Mediu
25’
m
Low
Sm Tr 12’ x 100015’ 4000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Parkinsonia microphyllum Foothills
Yellow
(Cercidium microphylla) Palo Verde,
Littleleaf
Palo Verde
Full
Parkinsonia praecox
(Cercicidium praecox)
Palo Brea, Yellow
Sonoran
Palo Verde
Full,Parti Low
al
Tr
Parthenium incanum
Mariola
White
Full,Parti Low
al
Sm Sh 3’ x
3’
Parthenocissus inserta
Arizona
Creeper
White
Partial or Mediu Vine
Shade
m
Passiflora arizonica
Arizona
Passion
Flower
Blue with Full,Parti Mediu Vine
White
al
m-Low
Page 70
Native
range
1000 4500’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
15’ x Sonora,
15’ Mexico
Comments
Showy Native Tree,
somewhat fast growing,
good shade tree, butterfly
and moth larval host
Extremely tough and
xeric, slow growing,
butterfly and moth larval
host
Sculptural shape,
attractive smooth green
trunk, great specimen
tree, butterfly and moth
larval host
2000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Evergreen, great smell to
the foliage, flowers are
said to be fragrant at
night
To
15’
3000 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Woody perennial, foliage
turns red in the fall, birds
like berries, moth larval
source
To
20’
2000 4000’,
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Takes full sun, likes
warm spot, butterfly
larval source, edible
fruits, flowers in late
afternoon
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Cupped
Passion
Vine
Blossom Sun
Passiflora mexicana
Mexican
Passion
Flower
Purple & Partial
White
Pavonia lasiopetala
Texas Rock Pink
Rose
Passiflora bryonioides
White
Partial
Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Vine To
m
15’
Native
range
3500 4500’,
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Comments
Mediu Vine
m-Low
To
15’
3000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Butterfly larval source,
unique looking Passiflora
sp., fruits unedible,
unique fragrance
Low
Sh
3’ x
3’
Western Very tough and hardy,
Texas,
showy flowers
Chihuahu
an Desert
Low
Su
4’ x
4’
Baja
desert
plains
Evergreen, great
container plant or in
ground in warm spot,
showy flowers,
hummingbirds
Butterfly larval source,
glabrous fruits with
nipple, edible fruits,
hardy plant
Pedilanthus macrocarpus Slipper
Plant
Light Red Partial
Peniocereus greggii var.
transmontanus
Night
Blooming
Cereus
White
Partial or Low
Shade
Ca
to
3’+
1000 32s00’,
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Blooms one night a year,
animals eat fruits, huge
beautiful flowers, large
tuber, cold hardy to 20
degrees
Peniocereus striata
Daliarooted
Cactus
Pink
Partial or Low
(occasion Shade
ally
white)
Ca
to
2’+
Below
2000’,
Organpipe
National
Monumen
t
Spreads by dahlia-like
tubers, cold hardy to
between 20 and 25
degrees
Peniocereus viperinus
Cardoncillo Bright
, Organito Pink to
de Vibora Coral
Ca
to 3’ Native to Cold hardy to high 20’s
+
Mexico,
Oaxaca,
Puebla
and
Morelos
Partial or Low
Shade
Page 71
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Penstemon baccharifolius Rock
Red
Sun or
beardtongu
Partial
e
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Forb 2 to
3’
Penstemon barbatus
Scarlet
Bugler
Sun,
Partial
Mediu WF
m-Low
To 4’ 4500 Blooms in April in
8000’,
Tucson, hummingbird
Santa
pollinated, can reseed
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Penstemon eatonii
Firecracker Coral
Penstemon
Sun,
Partial
Mediu WF
m-Low
3’ x
3’
Penstemon palmeri
Palmer
Lavender Sun,
Penstemon
Partial
Mediu WF
m
To 3’ 3500 6500’,
Northern
Arizona
Native
Large showy flowers
Penstemon parryi
Parry
Pink
Penstemon
Sun,
Partial
Mediu WF
m-Low
To 3’ 2000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Our local species and the
easiest to grow,
hummingbird pollinated,
can reseed
Penstemon
pseudospectabilis
Canyon
Bright
Penstemon Pink
Sun,
Partial
Mediu WF
m-Low
To 3’ 3000 Hummingbird pollinated,
6000’,
clasping serrated leaves
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Red to
Pink
Page 72
Native
range
Native to
Texas &
Mexico,
grows on
well
drained
limestone
soils
2000 7000’,
Pinal
County
Native
Comments
Typically blooms longer
after all of the spring
flowers are done,
summer bloomer in the
desert
Long lived perennial,
showy when in bloom,
tough, hummingbird
pollinated
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Superb
Coral
Sun,
Penstemon
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu WF
To 3’
m-Low
Phaseolus grayanus
Gray’s
Beanvine
Partial
Mediu Vine
m
4-5’ 5000 9000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Philadelphus
microphyllus
Littleleaf
White
Mockorang
e
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
5’ x
5’
5000 Fragrant flowers, pretty
9000’,
plant, great as understory
Santa
with good drainage
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Physaria newberryi
Newberry’s Yellow
twinpod
Partial
Mediu Forb
m-low
1' x
1'
50007000’,
northern
Arizona
native
Pinus edulis
Pinyon Pine
Partial
Mediu Tr
m-Low
10’
to
15’
Tall
4000 Edible pine nuts, slow
8000’,
growing, needs decent
Northeast drainage
ern
Arizona
Native
Partial
Mediu Gr
m-low
2' x
2'
40007000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Very slender and delicate
foliage, great for forage,
butterfly larval host,
likes good drainage
Mediu Sh
m-Low
From
6’ to
10’
Tall
1000 4000’,
Pima &
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Spreads by runners,
forms patch, great screen
plant, stalks can be used
for thatching
Penstemon superbus
Piptochaetium fimbriatum Pinyon
ricegrass
Pluchea sericea
Arrowweed
Pink
Lavender Sun
Page 73
Native
range
3500 5500’,
Cochise &
Graham
County
Native
Comments
Striking when in bloom,
forms large clump,
hummingbird pollinated
A perennial relative to
our annual bladder pods,
butterfly larval host,
showy and compact
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form
Name
Plumbago, White
Partial or Low
Sm Sh
Leadwort
Shade
Size
(hw)
2’ x
3’
Poliomentha incana
Rosemary
Mint
Pale
Sun
Lavender
4’ -5’ 36006000’,
Northern
Arizona
Native
Poliomentha maderensis
Lavender
Spice,
Mexican
Oregano
Lavender Full,Parti Mediu Sm Sh 3’ x
al
m
3’
Porophyllum gracile
Odora,
Herba de
Venado
White
Full,Parti Low
al
Sm Sh 2’ x
2’
Portulaca suffrutescens
Shrubby
purslane
Orange
Full,
partial
Forb
6" x Santa
Butterfly larval host
1’
Catalina
tall & Rincon
Mtn
native,
25005500'
Probosocidea altheafolia
Perennial
Devil’s
Claw
Yellow
Full,Parti Low
al
Sh
3’ x
3’
Plumbago zeylantica (P.
scandens )
Low
Low
Page 74
Sh
Native
range
2000 4000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Mexico
Comments
Butterfly larval source,
great shade plant, easy to
grow
Great fragrance to
foliage, makes a
delicious and refreshing
tea, very hardy
Coldy hard to 0 degrees,
high quality Mexican
Oregano for cooking,
very showy too
2000 Fragrant foliage, moth
4500’,
larval source, very
Santa
unique accent plant
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
1000 Forms large tuber, big
4000’,
showy flowers, very
Santa
tough, cool seedpods
Catalina,
Santa Rita
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Annual
Devil’s
Claw
Blossom Sun
Prosopis glandulosa v.
torreyana
Western
Honey
Mesquite
Yellow
Full,Parti Mediu Tr
al
m-Low
20‘x Cochise
20’ County,
Grand
Canyon,
New
Mexico,
3000 5000’
Shade tree, great for
wildlife & butterflies,
sweet edible pods, good
firewood
Prosopis pubescens
Screwbean Yellow
mesquite
Full,Parti Mediu Tr
al
m-Low
15’ x 1000 15’ 4000’,
Pima &
Cochise
County
Native
Cool corkscrew
beanpods, requires
occassional supplemental
irrigation
Prosopis velutina
Velvet
mesquite
Full,Parti Low
al
25’ x 1000 Butterfly larval source,
25’ 6000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Prunus serotina
Chokecherr White
y
Partial or Mediu Tr
Shade
m
6 to
8’+
4000 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Butterfly larval source,
attractive striped trunk,
nice little upright
shrubby tree
Psidium guajava
Mission
Heritago
Tropical
Guava
Partial
6 to
10’
300 year
old
Heirloom
Trees
from
missions
in Baja,
Mexico
Fragrant flowers, tasty
fragrant fruit high in
Vitamin C, leaves high
source of Quercetin
Proboscidea parviflora
Pink
Yellow
White
Water Form Size
(hw)
Full,Parti Mediu Sh
3’ x
al
m-Low
3’
Tr
Mediu Tr
m
Page 75
Native
range
1000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Comments
Forms unusual seedpods,
annual species but
reseeds readily, sold
during summer
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Psilostrophe cooperi
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form
Name
Whitestem Yellow
Full,Parti Low
Sm Sh,
paperflower
al
WF
Psilostrophe tagetina
Whooly
Yellow
paperflower
Full,Parti Low
al
Ptelea trifoliata
Hop Tree
Partial
Punicia granatum
Mission
Red
Heritage
Pomegranit
e
Quercus emoryi
Emory
Oak,
Bellota
Quercus hypoleucoides
Silverleaf
Oak
Size
(hw)
1x
1.5
Sm Sh, 1 x
WF
1.5
Native
Comments
range
2000’Tough local plant, good
5000’,
nectar source
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
4000Tough & showy when in
7000’,
bloom, good pollinator
Cochise & plant
Graham
County
Native
5 - 6’ 4000 Tall 6500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Butterfly larval source
(Giant & Twotailed
Swallowtails), unusual,
fragrant foliage
Full,Parti Mediu Tr
al
m
8’ x
8’
Several different
localities available, fruit
from red to white
(typically soft seeded)
Yellow
Partial
Mediu Tr
m
10 - 4000 Huge moth&butterfly
20’ 6000’,
larval source, edible
Tall Santa
acorns, evergreen
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Yellow
Partial
Mediu Tr
m
10 - 5000 Unique oak, lower side
15’ 9000’,
of leaves are silverish
Santa
color
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
White
Mediu Tr
m-Low
Page 76
Mission
Heritage
Fruit Tree
Project
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Tr
10’ x
m
15’
Quercus turbinella
Scrub Oak Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sm Tr, 8’ x
m-Low Lg Sh 8’
35007000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Our toughest native oak,
especially at lower
elevations, bluish tint to
leaf color
Ratibida columnaris
Mexican
Hat
Red &
Yellow
Partial
Mediu WF,
2’ x
m-Low Sm Sh 2’
50007500’,
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Showy, easy to grow,
spreads easily
Rhamnus betulifolia
Betony leaf Yellow
buckthorn
Partial
Mediu LgSh
m
40007000',
Gila &
Cochise
County
Native
Large leaved, edible red
berries taste like expresso
beans, good bird plant,
large host for moths
Rhamnus californica ssp.
ursina
California Yellowish- Partial
Buckthorn white
Rhamnus ilicifolia
Hollyleaf
buckthorn
Quercus oblongifolia
Common
Name
Mexican
Blue Oak
Blossom Sun
Yellow
Med
Lg Sh 6’ x
6’
Partial or Mediu Sh
Shade
m-Low
Page 77
6' x
6'
Native
range
3500 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Nice bluish hue to leaves,
our most local, lowelevation oak, very pretty
when mature
3500Birds like black berries,
6500’,
moth larval source, nice
Santa
underscores
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
5-8’ 3800shrub 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Great understory shrub,
likes good drainage, red
berries, loved by birds
and some caterpillars
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Rhus aromatica (R.
trilobata)
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Lemonade Yellow
Sun,
Berry
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sh
6’ x
m
6’
Native
range
25007500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
40006000’,
Rincon &
Santa Rita
Mtn
Native
Evergreen, edible berries
are relished by birds,
incredible butterfly
nectar source, tough
Rhus choriophylla
Mearns
Sumac
White
Full,Parti Low- Lg Sh 8’ x
al
Mediu
6’
m
Rhus microphylla
Littleleaf
Sumac
White
Full,Parti Low
al
Lg Sh 8’ x
8’
Rhus ovata
Sugar
Sumac
White
Sun,
Partial
Low
Lg Sh 10’ x 300010’ 5000’,
Pinal
County
Native
Rhynchosia edulis
Snout bean Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Vine
Rhynchosia precatoria
Rosary
Yellow
Bean Vine
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Vine
m-Low
To 8’ 3500 5000’,
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Rhynchosia senna
Texas
Yellow
Snoutbean
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Vine
m-Low
To 8’ 3500 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Page 78
3 to
8’
Edible berries, great bird
plant, fragrant leaves,
flowers smell like
chocolate
3500A somewhat xeric Sumac
6000’,
species, edible berries
Rincon & loved by birds
Dragoon
Mtn
Native
Needs good drainage,
large showy leaves, no
water once established
4000 5000’,
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Seeds are exactly half red
and half black and hang
on vine while seedpods
are still open
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Buffpetal
Blossom Sun
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Ribes aureum
Golden
Currant
Yellow
turning
Red
Partial
Ribes pinetorum
Pineland
Yellow
Gooseberry
Partial or Mediu Sh
Shade
m
Robinia neomexicana
New
Mexico
Locust
Pink
Rosa arizonica (R.
Arizona
woodsii subsp. arizonica) Rose
Rosa fendleri (R. woodsii
subsp. woodsii)
Rhychonsida physocalyx
Fendler
Rose
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Forb To
6”
Native
Comments
range
2000Small mallow with thick
4500’,
taproot
Santa
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
native
to 5’ 4000 6000’,
Pima,
Santa
Cruz &
Cochise
County
Native
Delicious edible berries,
good bird plant, butterfly
larval source
to
6’+
60009000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
A little crazy but fun,
needs good drainage,
tasty fruits, butterfly
larval source
Partial
Mediu Lg Sh, 8 to
mSm Tr 15’
High
40008500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Beautiful large pink
blossoms, spreads by
runner, pretty but takes
some water in Tucson
Pinkish
Purple
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
4’ x
4’
5000 9000’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Surprisingly tough,
spreads by runners,
blooms in April, fragrant
flowers, edible hips
Pink
Full,Parti Mediu Sh
al
m
5’ x
5’
5000 9000’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Very sweet fragrant
flowers, edible hips,
spreads by runners, easy
to grow
Mediu Sh
m
Page 79
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Arizona
White
Partial
Blackberry,
Northern
dewberry
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Gr
1’ x
m
5’+
Native
range
3500 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Ruellia brittoniana
Purple
ruellia
Purple
Sun or
partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
4’ x
4’
Mexico
Old Tucson Favorite,
spreads by runners, easy
to grow, butterfly larval
host
Ruellia nudiflora var.
glabrata
Violet
ruellia,
Wild
Petunia
Purple
Partial or Mediu Sm Sh, 2’ x
Shade
m-Low WF
2’
2000 4000’,
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Large flowers, spreads
readily from seed,
butterfly larval source
Ruellia peninsularis
Baja
Ruellia
Purple
Sun
Low
Sh
4’ x
5’
Baja,
Sonora
Cold hardy to about 25
degrees, butterfly larval
host
Salvia apiana
White Sage Blue
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sh
5’ x
6’
Southern
CA +
Baja to
5000’
Very fragrant leaves,
beautiful tall
flowerspikes, requires
really good drainage to
survive
Salvia arizonica
Arizona
Sage
Blue
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
2’ x
2’
5000 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Can do alright in Tucson
if given well drained soil
and partial shade
Salvia blepherophylla
Eyelash
Sage
Electric
Red
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
3’ x
3’
Central
Mexico
Great butterfly &
hummingbird nectar
plant, showy in bloom,
evergreen, easy
Salvia chamaedryoides
Blue Sage, Blue
Ground
Oak Sage
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sm Sh, 2’ x
Mediu GC
2’
m
Salvia chionophylla
Snowflake Blue
sage
Sun,
Partial
Low- GC
Mediu
m
Rubus arizonensis (=R.
flagellaris)
Page 80
Tasty edible berries,
spreads rapidly, good
groundcover as
understory
Higher
Evergreen, easy to grow
elevation
Chichuah
uan
Native
1’ x Mexico
3-4’
Spreading groundcover
sage, blue flowers, full
sun, also drapes well out
of hanging pots
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Chapparal
Sage
Blossom Sun
Blue
Sun,
Partial
Salvia davidsonii
Davidson
Sage
Red
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
Salvia farinacea
Mealycup
Sage
Light
Purple
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sm Sh 2’ x
m-Low
2’
Salvia greggii
Autumn
Sage
Pink
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
Salvia henryi
Crimson
Sage
Red
Partial
Salvia leucantha
Mexican
Purple
Bush Sage
Sun,
Partial
Salvia melissadora
Grapescented
Sage
Partial or Mediu Sh
Shade
m-Low
4-5’ Mexico
x 3-4'
Salvia microphylla
Baby Sage Red
Partial
4-5’ Chihuahu Red blossoms, afternoon
x 4- an desert shade at lower desert
5’
elevations
Salvia mohavensis
Mojave
Sage
Blue
Full,Parti Mediu Sh
al
m
4’ x
4’
Maricopa
& Yuma
County
Native,
10004000’
Spectacular blooms,
needs good drainage,
very tough once
established
Salvia parryi
Parry’s
Sage
Blue
Full,Parti Low- Sh
al
Mediu
m
3’ x
3’
3500 5000’,
Santa
Cruz
County
Native
Great butterfly nectar
plant, pretty plant when
full size, unusual in
cultivation
Salvia clevelandii
Light
Purple
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low- Sh
4' x
Mediu
4'
m
Native
range
Southern
California
& Baja
Native
Comments
Needs great drainage,
very fragrant foliage,
cold hardy to 4500’
2.5’ 3500 Understory shrub, prefers
x
5500’,
filtered sun, rare plant
2.5’ Chiricuah
ua Mtn
Native
35006000’, s
NM, w
TX
Prefers limestone soils,
dies back yearly.
Impressive purple/white
flowers
3’ x
3’
2200’8000’, TX
and N.
Mexico
Very tough, great
butterfly & hummingbird
nectar source, coldy hard
to about 0 degrees
Low- Su
Mediu
m
2’ x
2’
4000 6000’,
Dragoon
Mountain
Native
Showy flowers, similar
bold blooms as S.
davidsonii but much
easier to grow
Mediu Sh
m
4’ x
6’
Mexico
Dies back in winter, but
can be planted up to
4000’, great
hummingbird plant
Mediu Sh
m
Page 81
Flowers have nice grapescented fragrance, large
shade loving Salvia
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Sambucus mexicana
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form
Name
Mexican
Yellow
Full,Parti Med
Sm Tr
Elder-berry
al
Size
(hw)
1520’ x
15’
Native
range
1000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Mediu Sm Tr 10' to 2500m
14’ 5000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Comments
Evergreen in winter,
decidiuous in summer,
edible berries, good bird
plant
Sapindus drummondii
Western
soapberry
Pale
yellow
Full or
Partial
Sapium biloculare
Mexican
Jumpingbean
Yellow
Full,Parti Low
al
Lg Sh 12’ x sw AZ,
10’ Sonora,
Baja,
10002500’
Evergreen, fragrant
flowers, leaves somewhat
poisonous, slightly frost
sensitive
Sarcostemma
cynanochoides var.
cynanochoides
Climbing
milkweed
vine
White
Full or
partial
Low
Vine
6-15’ 10005000',
Tucson
native
Vigorous and tough
plant, butterfly and moth
larval host, great wildlife
plant, showy when in
mass bloom
Schizachyrium cirratum
Texas
bluestem
Full or
partial
Low- Gr
mediu
m
3' x
2’
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native,
35005500’
Showy accent grass,
blades turn orangish red
in the fall, fluffy white
seed heads on top
Schizachyrium scoparius
(Andropogon)
Little
bluestem
Sun,
AfSh
Low- Gr
Mediu
m
3’ x
3’
3500 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Santa
Rita Mtn
Native
Great accent grass,
foliage turns silverish
pink in the fall/winter
Scuttellaria potosina (S.
tessellata)
Native
skullcap
Lavender Full,Parti Low- Sh
al
Mediu
m
2’ x
2’
3500 5000’,
Rincon,
Santa Rita
& Pajarito
Mtn
Native
Interesting, somewhat
tough plant in mint
family, medicinal, nice
flowers
Page 82
Showy small tree, forms
small colonies if given
enough water, butterfly
larval host, seeds good
for washing clothes
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Sinoloan
moonlight
cactus
Blossom Sun
White
Partial
shade,
diffused
Selenicereus spinolosus
Vinelike
moonlight
cactus
White
Partial
shade,
diffused
Senecio longilobus
Threadleaf Yellow
groundsel
Full,Parti Low- Sh
al
Mediu
m
Senegalia belandieri
(Acacia belandieri)
Guajillo
White
Sun
Low
Lg Sh 10’ x 1000Well-drained soil,
12’ 3000 ft, deciduous
w. TX, ne
Mexico
Senegalia greggii (Acacia Catclaw
greggii)
Acacia
Yellow
Sun
Low
Lg Sh, 10’x 2000 Sm Tr 15’ 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Senegalia occidentalis
(Acacia occidentalis)
White
Sun
Low
Tr
Selenicereus vagans
Western
Acacia
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Ca
vinin
g, to
8’ or
more
Native
range
Native to
Mexico
(Sonora &
Sinoloa)
Comments
Low
Native to
Texas
(Rio
Grande
Valley),
and
eastern
Mexico
(Tamaulip
as to
Chiapas)
Fragrant flowers, cold
hardy to around 25
degrees, possibly
extirpated in Texas
Page 83
Ca
vinin
g, to
8' or
more
3-4’ 2500x 2’ 7500’,
Pima,
Santa
Cruz &
Cochise
County
Native
Huge, very fragrant
flowers - bloom for a
single night only, cold
hardy to about the low
20’s
Great butterfly and
pollinator nectar plant
Very tough, huge
butterfly larval plant,
great pollinator nectar
source, mature trees have
alot of character
20 - Native to Beautiful large shade
30’ Texas & tree, rarely used in
Tall Mexico
landscaping, wonderfully
fragrant flowers
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Senna bauhinoides
Common Blossom Sun
Water Form
Name
Twinleaved Yellow
Full,Parti Low
Sm Sh
Senna
al
Size
(hw)
2’ x
2’
Native
Comments
range
2000 Butterfly larval source
5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Sm Sh 1.5’ 1000’Butterfly larval source,
x 2’ 3000’,
reseeds readily, shortSanta
lived perennial
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Senna covesii
Desert
Senna
Yellow
Sun
Low
Senna leptocarpa
Slimpod
Senna
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Lg Sh 3’ to 3000 m-Low
5’
5000’,
tall Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Butterfly larval source,
fast growing, very showy
flowers, upright growth
habit
Senna lindheimeriana
Lindheimer Yellow
Senna
Sun,
Partial
Low- Lg Sh 5’ x
Mediu
4’
m
4500’5500’,
Cochise
County
Native
Butterfly larval source,
attractive fuzzy foliage,
can reseed
Senna polyantha (S.
goldmanii)
Baja Senna Yellow
Sun
Low
Sh
Baja
Summer bloomer,
butterfly larval source,
attractive dark colored
foliage
Senna wislizenii
Shrubby
Senna
Sun,
Partial
Low
Lg Sh 5’ x
5’
30005000’,
Cochise
County
Native
Woody senna, attractive
shrub, butterfly larval
source, tough
Setaria macrostachya
Plains
Bristlegrass
Sun,
Partial
Low
Gr
Yellow
Page 84
4’ x
4’
3’ x
2’
2000Great for birds, they love
7000’,
the seeds
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Sideroxylon lanuginosum Gum
subsp. rigidum
Bumelia
Blossom Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sh
5’ x
m-Low
5’
White
Partial
Silene laciniata
Cardinal
Catchfly
Red
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
2’ x
2’
5000 Bold red flowers,
8000,
hummingbird pollinated
Santa Rita
&
Chiricahu
a Mtn
Native
Silene scouleri var.
pringlei
Scouler’s
Catchfly
Pale
Partial
Lavender
Mediu Sh
m
2’ x
2’
5000 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Simmondsia chinensis
Jojoba
Green
Sun,
Partial
Low
Solanum douglasii
Douglas
White
nightshade with
yellow
centers
Partial
Low- Sh
Mediu
m
2' x
2' +
Solanum elaeagnifolium
Silverleaf Purple
nightshade with
yellow
centers
Sun or
Partial
Low
2’,
2000Showy flowers, nectar
sprea 6000',
source for native bees,
ds
Santa
yellow berries
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Page 85
Lg Sh 6’ x
6’+
Forb
Native
range
2500 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
In the Sapote Family,
produces berries loved by
birds, slow growing and
rare
15004000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Tucson
Mtn
Native
Extremely tough, slow
growing, evergreen,
female plants produce
nuts
40007000,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Black berries relished by
birds, flowers are
fragrant in the early
afternoon (like lemon
pledge), moth larval host
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Missouri
Yellow
Partial
Goldenrod
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sh
3’ x
m-Low
3’
Solidago sparsiflora
Goldenrod Yellow
Partial
Mediu Sh,
m-Low WF
Solidago wrightii
Wright’s
Yellow
Goldenrod
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
Sophora secundiflora
Texas
Purple
MountainLaurel,
Mescal
Bean
Sun
Low
Lg Sh 12’ x 100010’ 5000’, c
& w TX,
NM,
northern
Mexico
Sorghastrum nutans
Indian
ricegrass,
Yellow
indiangrass
Sun or
partial
Low
Gr
to 4’ 4000tall 7000',
Cochise
County
native
Large showy grass, fair
forage value, seeds can
be harvested as a grain
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sh
3’ x
3’
1000 3500’,
Pima ,
Pinal &
Maricopa
County
Native
Shortlived perennial,
reseeds readily, butterfly
larval source, great native
bee nectar plant
Sphaeralcea ambigua var. Rose Globe Pink to
Sun,
rosacea
Mallow
Lavender Partial
Low
Sh
4’ x
4’+
2000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Forms goodsized shrub,
butterfly larval source,
blooms spring to fall, a
performer
Solidago missouriensis
Sphaeralcea ambigua var. Desert
ambigua
Globe
Mallow
Orange
Page 86
Native
range
4500 6500’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Comments
2 - 3’
tall,
sprea
ds
20007000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Great nectar source for
pollinators, forms a
patch, easy to grow in
partial shade
3’
tall,
sprea
ds
3000 Great nectar source for
8000’,
pollinators, forms a
Santa
patch, attractive foliage
Catalina
& Rincon
Native
Probably our showiest
native goldenrod, great
nectar source
Evergreen, slow grower,
extremely fragrant
flowers in spring
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Narrowleafed
globe
mallow
Blossom Sun
Orange
Sun,
Partial
Emory’s
globe
mallow
Bright
orange
Sun,
partial
Low
Sphaeralcea fendleri var. Fendler
venusta
globe
mallow
Purple
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
Sphaeralcea laxa
Caliche
globe
mallow
Orange
Sun,
with
Partial
bright red
stamens
Sporobolus airoides
Alkali
Sacaton
Sporobolus contractus
Sporobolus cryptandrus
Sphaeralcea angustifolia
Sphaeralcea emoryi
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sh
2’ x
2’
Comments
Butterfly larval source,
great nectar source for
native bees, can reseed
3' to 20004'
5000',
Tucson
native
Butterfly larval host,
great nectar source for
native bees, reseeds
readily, the most
common native species
in Tucson
4’ x
4’
3500 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Plants are slow to take
over in Tucson, but can
do well after a few years,
beautiful flowers
Low
Sm Sh, 2’ x
WF
2’
2000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
The most common
globemallow in the
Catalina Mtns, butterfly
larval, thrives in Caliche
soils
Sun
Low
Gr
Spike
dropseed
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Gr
m-Low
3’ x
3’+
Sand
Dropseed
Sun
Low
2-5’ 1000 Likes sandy/well-drained
bunc 7000’,
soil, can reseed in good
h
Originally conditions
native to
Tucson
Page 87
Forb
Native
range
2500 7000’,
Tucson
Native
Gr
2’ x 20001.5’ 5500’,
Pima,
Santa
Cruz &
Cochise
County
Native
Tolerant of variable soil
types including saline
1500 Attractive large
5000’,
bunchgrass
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Sporobolus giganteus
Sporobolus wrightii
Common
Name
Giant
Dropseed
Blossom Sun
Sun
Giant
Sacaton
Sun,
Partial
Stenocereus thurberi var. Organ Pipe
thurberi
Cactus
Stephanomeria pauciflora Wirelettuce,
skeleton
weed
Pale
Sun,
Lavender Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Gr
4-7’
m-Low
Tall
Native
range
25006000’,
Rincon
Mtn
Native,
Cochise
County
Native
Comments
20007000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
High forage value for
animals, great in a basin
or ditch, a great big
honking native grass
Nice large bunchgrass,
inflorescence stays inside
of culm, rare in
cultivation
Mediu Gr
m-Low
5’ x
5’+
Low
Ca
15’ x To 3000’, Well drained soil, full
12’ sw AZ,
sun, cold hardy to the
Baja,
low 20’s
Sonora
Low
Sm Sh, 2’ x
WF
2’
2000 Small much branched
6000’,
shrub, pink to lavender
Santa
blossoms, understory
Catalina,
Tucson &
Rincon
Mtn
Native
Stevia lemmonii
Lemmon
White
Candy-leaf
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
2’ x
2’
2500’5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
A Forest Service Species
of Concern, shortlived
but beautiful plant,
attracts pollinators and
butterflies
Stipa comata
Needle ‘n
Thread
grass
Sun,
Partial
Low- Gr
Mediu
m
3’ x
2’
3500 8500’,
Pima
County
Native
Erect bunchgrass, grows
in cool seasons, very
good forage value,
interesting seedheads
Stipa neomexicana
New
Mexico
feathergrass
Sun,
Partial
Low- Gr
Mediu
m
3’ x
3’
3500 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Attractive spring
bloomer, wild looking
seedheads that drill
themselves into the
ground
Page 88
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
White
White
Sun,
prairie aster
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Forb to 2'
mediu
tall
m
Native
range
40006000',
Chiricahu
a,
Huachuca
& Galuiro
Mtn
native
Comments
Tagetes lemmonii
Mountain
Marigold
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
3’ x
3’
3500 7500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Extremely fragrant
foliage, great fall nectar
source and splash of
color, cold hardy
Tagetes lucida
Mexican
Anise,
Mexican
Tarragon
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
3’ x
3’
Mexico
Great culinary herb or as
tea, fragrant foliage,
large blooms in the fall,
frost sensitive
Tagetes palmeri
Sonoran
Mountain
Marigold
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m
3' to Native to
4’
the
mountains
of Sonora,
Mexico
Extremely fragrant
foliage, great fall nectar
source and splash of
color, a little frost
sensitive
Tecoma stans var.
angustata
Arizona
Yellow
Yellowbells
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
5’ x
5’
3000 5500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Great Moth larval source,
large showy flowers
during warm weather,
hummingbird & bumble
bee pollinated
Tephrosia leiocarpa
Smoothpod Pink
Hoarypea w/white
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Sh
m-Low
3’ x
3’
3500 Butterfly and moth larval
5500’,
source, a very showy
Rincon
Teproshia species
Mountain
Native
Tephrosia vicioides
Red
Hoarypea
Sun,
Partial
Mediu WF
m-Low
1.5’ 2500 Butterfly larval source,
x
5000’,
unusual legume species
1.5’ Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Symphotrichum falcatum
var. commutatum
Pink
Page 89
Forms a small patch,
very easily once
established, long bloom
season, great nectar
source
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Hairy
White
Partial
Fournwort w/Purple
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Sm Sh 2’ x
m-Low
2’
Thelemsperma longipes
Navajo
Yellow
Threadleaf
Tea
Sun,
Partial
Low
WF
Thelocactus bicolor
Glory of
Texas
Sun,
Partial
Low
Thelocactus
hexaedrophorus
Straw spine White to Partial
cactus
pale
peach
Thelocactus macdowellii
Straw spine Magenta Sun or
cactus
Partial
Tetramerium nervosum
Thymophylla pentachaeta Dogweed
(Dyssodia)
Pink
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Native
range
3000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
1’ x
1’
4000 7000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Seedheads make
aromatic tea, unique
species, tufted basal
leaves
Ca
1' x
1'
Native to Cold hardy to 18 degrees,
Texas & large showy pink flowers
Mexico
(Chihuahu
a,
Coahuila,
Durango,
Neuvo
Leon)
Low
Ca
1' x
1'
Native to Cold hardy to 18 degrees
Mexico
, needs well drained soil,
(San Luis do not overwater
Potosi,
Tamuilpas
,
Zacatecas)
Low
Ca
1’x
1’
Native to Rare in the wild, cold
Mexico
hardy to 18 degrees ,
(Neuvo
needs well drained soil
Leon,
Coahuila)
Low
WF,
GC
1’ x
1’
2000 5000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Page 90
Butterfly larval source,
unique flower bracts and
seedpods, originally
native to Tucson
Butterfly larval source,
reseeds, great small
groundcover, good nectar
source
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Tithonia fruticosa
Common
Name
Mexican
Sunflower
Tree
Blossom Sun
Trachypogon secundus
Crinkleawn
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Gr
m-Low
3'
tall,
2’
wide
38006000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Tradescandtia
occidentalis
Prairie
Purple
Spiderwort
Partial
Mediu Gr
m-Low
1’ x
1’
4000 Grasslike plant with
8000’,
attractive purple flowers
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Trichloris crinita
Twinflower
ed finger
grass
Sun,
Partial
Low
3’ x
3’
1000 4000’,
Tucson
Native
Trichostemma arizonica
Arizona
White & Sun,
Blue Curls Blue
Partial
Low- Sm Sh 2-3’ 3500 Unique flowers during
Mediu
x 2- 5500’,
the summer/fall, attracts
m
3’
Santa
hummingbirds
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Tridens muticus
Slim
Tridens
Sun,
Partial
Low- Gr
Mediu
m
Trixis californica
Trixis
Partial
Low
Yellow
Yellow
Comments
Sun,
Partial
Water Form Size Native
(hw) range
Mediu Lg Sh 8’ x Mexico
m-Low
8’
Showy grass with large
spiraling seed heads,
bright yellow anthers
when blooming
Page 91
Gr
2’ x
1’
Butterfly larval and
nectar source, good bee
plant, extremely showy,
frost sensitive
A very local and showy
native bunchgrass,
recommended
3000 Nice small bunchgrass,
5000’,
blooms late spring to fall
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Sm Sh 2’ x 2000’Great partial understory
2.5’ 4000’,
plant, good nectar source
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Southern
cattail
Blossom Sun
Ungnadia speciosa
Mexican
buckeye
Pink
Vachellia constricta
(Acacia constricta)
Typha domingensis
Sun or
Partial
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Forb 4-6
m+
Tall,
form
s
patch
Native
range
10006000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Pollen and tubers edible,
moth larval host, great
for bird habitat
Full or
Partial
Low
Tr
Whitethorn Yellow
Acacia
Sun
Low
Lg Sh, 10’ x 1500 Sm Tr 15’ 5000’,
Tucson
Native
Vachellia farnesiana
(Acacia farnesiana)
Sweet
Acacia
Yellow
Sun
Low
Lg Sh, 15Tr
20’
Vachellia neovernicosa
(Acacia neovernicosa)
Viscid
Acacia
Yellow
Sun
Low
Lg Sh, 10’ x Cochise
Sm Tr 8’
County
Native Dragoons
Mtns, etc,
2000 5000 ft
Vachellia rigidula (Acacia Blackbrush Yellow
rigidula)
Acacia
Sun
Low
Lg Sh, 12’ x 1100On hillsides in wild, slow
Sm Tr 12’ 1800ft. w grower, train to tree
TX, ne
form, many types of soil,
Mexico
full sun
Vallesia baileyana
Nacapule
Jasmine
White
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Lg Sh 8’ x
m-Low
8’
Sonora,
Mexico
(Nacapule
Canyon)
Evergreen, sweet fragrant
flowers, incredible nectar
source for butterflies,
needs warm spot
Vallesia glabra
Pearlberry
White
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Lg Sh 8’ x
m-Low
8’
Sonora,
Mexico
Evergreen, needs warm
spot, attractive flowers,
edible berries
Page 92
10 to Native to Cold hardy, showy
15' Texas
flowers in spring,
hummingbird pollinated
Full sun, well-drained
soil, caliche ok, very
tough, butterfly larval
source
Rare in
Yellow fragrant
the wild in blossoms, fast grower,
southern good shade tree
Arizona,
up to
4000’
Similar to Whitethorn
Acacia, but upright,
different foliage, tough,
usually on limestone
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Arizona
White
Sun
Rosewood
Water Form Size
(hw)
low
Lg Sh, 6’Sm Tr 12’
Tall
Vauquelinia californica
var. pauciflora
Small
White
flowered
Rosewood
Sun
low
Verbena bracteata
Bigbracted Purple
Verbena
Sun,
Partial
Low- Sm Sh, 1’ x
Mediu GC
2’
m
WF
1000 8000’,
Santa
Catalina
Mtn
Native
Small, compact plant
with little purple flowers
and small leaves,
reseeds, unique
Verbena macdougali
Macdougal Purple
Verbena
Partial
Mediu Sm Sh 2’ x
m
2’
6000 7500’,
Northern
Arizona
Native
Tall flowerspikes make
this verbena a little bit
different, likes drainage
Viguiera cordifolia
Heartleaf
goldeneye
Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Forb
4’ x
4’
3500 Butterfly larval source,
6000’,
great nectar plant, large
Santa
showy flowers
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Viguiera deltoidea
Goldeneye Yellow
Sun,
Partial
Low
Sh
3’ x
3’
2000 5000’,
Pima
County
Native
Viguiera dentata var.
lancifolia
Toothleaf
goldeneye
Sun,
Partial
Low
Forb
4’ x
4’
3000 Butterfly larval source,
5500’,
great nectar plant
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Vauquelinia californica
var. californica
Yellow
Page 93
Native
range
2500 5000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Lg Sh, 6’- Cochise
Sm Tr 12’ County
Tall Native,
40005000’
Comments
Evergreen, slow growing,
great screen plant, rather
tough
Evergreen, slow growing,
great screen plant, rather
tough
Butterfly larval source,
great nectar plant, tough
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common Blossom Sun
Name
Skeleton- Yellow
Sun
leaf
Goldeneye
Water Form Size
(hw)
Low
Sh
3’ x
3’
Washingtonia filifera
California Pale
fan palm, orangenative date pink
palm
Sun,
Partial
Mediu Tr
m
15' to Native to
20’ the Ajo
tall Mtns,
western
Arizona
Delicious edible fruits
(including seeds), just
need to water near base,
cold hardy to 15 degrees,
great for birds
Wedelia hispida
(Zexmania hispida)
Xanthisma spinulosum
Hairy
Yellow
wedelia
Spiny
Yellow
tansyaster,
Mr. prickly
pants
Sun
Low
Forb
Sun
Low
Forb
2' to
3'
1' to
2’
Extremely tough, showy
and great for pollinators
Extremely tough,
colorful plant with lots of
blooms during the year,
great pollinator plant
Yucca arizonica (Y.
baccata v. brevifolia)
Arizona
Yucca
White
Sun,
Partial
Low
Su
4’ - 3000 Moth larval source, cold
6’
5600’,
hardy to 0 degrees
Tall Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Yucca baccata v. baccata
Banana
Yucca
White
Sun
Low
Su
4’ x
6’
Yucca brevifolia
Joshua Tree White
Sun
Low
Su
6’ - 2500 12’ 3500’,
Tall Northwest
ern
Arizona
Native
Viguiera stenoloba
Page 94
Native
range
Western
Texas,
Chihuahu
an Desert
Native to
Texas
20005000',
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
native
Comments
Extremely drought
tolerant once established,
nice when in bloom,
great butterfly plant
2000 Moth larval source, cold
7000’,
hardy to -20 degrees
Central &
Northeast
ern
Arizona
Native
Requires extremely well
drained soil, light water
in summer, grows
slowly, cold hardy to -5
degrees
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
White
Sun
Water Form Size
(hw)
Mediu Lg Su 6’ x
m-Low
10’
Tall
Yucca rigida
Blue Yucca White
Sun
Low
Lg Su 12’ x 33005’
5500’,
Chihuahu
a,
Coahuila,
Durango
Yucca rostrata
Beaked
Yucca
Low
Lg Su 12’ x sw TX,
Single trunk, soft leaves,
2.5’ Coahuila, cold hardy to 5 degrees
Chihuahu
a
Yucca rupicola
TwistedWhite
leaf Yucca
Partial
Low
Su
Yucca schottii
Mountain
Yucca
White
Full,Parti Mediu Su
al
m-Low
4’ - 4000 8’
8000’,
Tall Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Yucca torreyi
Torrey’s
yucca
White
Full,
partial
up to Native to Cold hardy to 0 degrees
12’ West
tall Texas
Zapoteca formosa subsp.
schottii
Schott
Purplish
Stickpea,
Schott’s
Fairyduster
Full,Parti Low- Sh
al
Mediu
m
4’ x
4’
3000 4500’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Likes good drainage,
unusual hard to find
plant, hummingbird
pollinated, great dormant
look
Zephranthes candida
Whiteflowe White
red Rainlily with
yellow
Sun/Partia Low
l
WF
1’ x
1’
Texas
Native
Prolific bloomer,
reproduces readily, can
handle areas that flood
periodically
Zephranthes drummondii
Drummond White
’s Rainlily
Sun/Partia Low
l
WF
1’ x
1’
Native to Attractive star-shaped
West
white flowers,
Texas
reproduces readily
Yucca elata
Common
Name
Soaptree
Yucca
Blossom Sun
White
Low
Page 95
Su
2’ x
2’
Native
range
2000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina
& Rincon
Mtn
Native
Comments
Moth larval source,
edible flowers, cold
hardy to -10 degrees
Multi-trunked, drought
tolerant, nicely colored
leaves, cold hardy to 5
degrees
Native to Cold hardy to 0 degrees,
Texas and 5 foot flowerspike off of
Mexico
compact leafy base,
unique yucca
Fast growing, smooth
leaf margins, moth larval
source, cold hardy to -10
degrees
Desert Survivors Online Plant Database
Scientific Name
Common
Name
Copper
Rainlily
Blossom Sun
Zinnia acerosa
Desert
Zinnia
White
Sun
Low
WF,
GC
1’ x
1’
2000 Extremely tough plant
5000’,
once established
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Zinnia grandiflora
Prairie
Zinnia
Yellow
Sun
Low
WF,
GC
1’ x
1’
4000 6500’,
Cochise &
Santa
Cruz Cty
Native
Zizyphus obtusifolia v.
canescens
Gray Thorn White
Zephryanthes longifolia
Yellow
Water Form Size
(hw)
Sun/Partia Low
WF
1’ x
l
1’
Sun/Partia Low- Lg Sh 6’ x
l
Mediu
8’
m
Page 96
Native
range
3000 6000’,
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native
Comments
Requires good drainage,
reproduces from seed
readily, slow growing
Very tough and showy,
but requires well drained
soils, great pollinator
plant
1000 Birds love purple berries,
5000’,
moth larval source
Santa
Catalina,
Rincon &
Tucson
Mtn
Native

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