Native Plants in Southern Arizona

Cacti

• Perhaps the best known desert plants, cacti are well adapted to life in an extreme environment. Their large, fleshy stems store water; their extensive root systems tap into water deep underground; and their lack of leaves limits the water lost through evaporation. Cacti species found in southern Arizona include the Arizona barrel cactus, rainbow hedgehog cactus and Barbary fig cactus. The famous saguaro cactus towers over much of Arizona's desert region, providing food and homes for numerous animals. Its flower is Arizona's state flower.

Wildflowers

• Many desert plants produce flowers that provide food for birds and insects and add beautiful spots of color to the desert landscape. Many flowering species in southern Arizona grow in wide areas close to cities. Some of the more common species include saguaro cactus, barrel cactus, camphor weed, creosote, cholla and brittlebush.

Poisonous Plants

• Several of southern Arizona's plant species are poisonous. Poisons protect plants from being eaten by grazing animals and some species may only pose a danger to them, while others, such as those with seemingly edible berries or drug characteristics, pose a threat to people. Some poisonous plants include species of wild tobacco, opium poppies, oleander, desert mistletoe, several varieties of nightshade and elderberry.

Edible Plants

• Many plants native to southern Arizona's desert areas have edible parts including leaves, fruit, flowers and roots. Local American Indian tribes have collected these wild foods for centuries. People interested in collecting and eating wild plants should consult multiple sources before eating anything. Edible parts can be collected from cacti including the saguaro and cactus apple; flowers such as the common sunflower and prairie sunflower; trees such as the velvet mesquite; shrubs like the soaptree yucca; and roots such as wild carrot.

Trees

• Although trees are typically associated with forests and jungles, many hardy species of trees can be found in the desert. Some common Arizona species include Fremont cottonwood, one-seed junipers, Arizona rosewood, velvet mesquite, velvet ash and Arizona sycamore. The velvet mesquite is the source of flavorful mesquite honey and produces a fragrant wood that is a popular choice for firewood and barbecues.