Trees
Abies concolor (White Fir)
Named for the whitish bloom on the leaves, White Fir is one of two Abies native to the mountains of Arizona. It is distinguished from the other, slightly rarer species, A. lasiocarpa, by having smooth, ungrooved leaves which lack a white stripe on the upper surface.
Pinus discolor (Border Pinyon)
Huachuca Mountains
Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains
Restricted to juniper-oak woodland in upland southern Arizona, Border Pinyon is similar to several other Pinus spp, and is distinguished by having its needles in buches of three. Individual needles are quite short (under 3cm) and a distinctive blue-green colour.
Pinus arizonica (Arizona Pine)
Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
Some references still consider this tall tree a variety of the widespread Ponderosa Pine, while others regard it as a separate species. Both species usually have three needles per cluster, but it is not uncommon for P.arizonica to bear five. A clearer distinguishing feature of the two plants is in their cones: P.arizonica has cones with small, curved prickles, whereas P.ponderosa has sharp, erect ones.
Arizona Pine is restricted to the south-eastern corner of Arizona, where it grows on sunny, upland slopes.
Arizona Pine is restricted to the south-eastern corner of Arizona, where it grows on sunny, upland slopes.
Pinus engelmannii (Apache Pine)
This primarily Mexican tree is a speciality of the 'sky islands' of south-eastern Arizona and adjacent New Mexico.
It is one of the pines with needles in bunches of three, along with the well-known Ponderosa Pine and several other species. P.engelmannii is distinguished by its very long needles (over 30cm long in some specimens) and very thick twigs.
It is one of the pines with needles in bunches of three, along with the well-known Ponderosa Pine and several other species. P.engelmannii is distinguished by its very long needles (over 30cm long in some specimens) and very thick twigs.
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
Chiricahua Mountains
This very well-known conifer of western North America is part of a community of more northern plants that find a home on the high mountains of southern Arizona.
P.menziesii is similar to true firs in the way that circular leaf scars are left on the branches when needles fall off. It also shares the flat needles of Abies species, with white stripes underneath. Unlike true firs, however, Douglas Fir has a different cone structure, with three-pointed bracts which extend beyond each cone scale.
P.menziesii is similar to true firs in the way that circular leaf scars are left on the branches when needles fall off. It also shares the flat needles of Abies species, with white stripes underneath. Unlike true firs, however, Douglas Fir has a different cone structure, with three-pointed bracts which extend beyond each cone scale.
Juniperus deppeana (Alligator Juniper)
bark detail, Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains (both photos)
Alligator Juniper is a common tree of dry, upland forests in southern Arizona. Its best distinguishing feature is the source of its common name - the bark on mature trees is split into square plates, resembling the scales on an alligator's back.
Juniperus monosperma (One-seed Juniper)
Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains
This usually fairly small-growing tree (often under 6 or 7 metres) is easy to distinguish from other junipers, even in the absence of its characteristic one-seeded fruits. The leaves of J.monosperma are long, pointed and very grey-green in colour, unlike the more green leaves of similar species.
It is a widespread species in eastern Arizona and throughout the southern Rocky Mountains.
It is a widespread species in eastern Arizona and throughout the southern Rocky Mountains.
Cupressus arizonica (Arizona Cypress)
Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains
This tall-growing species is the only true Cypress native to Arizona, where it is found in upland areas from the centre of the state southwards. It is also found in southern California, New Mexico and Texas.
C.arizonica can be distinguished from superficially-similar species like Junipers by its tiny scale-like leaves and woody cones (Junipers bear fleshy berries).
C.arizonica can be distinguished from superficially-similar species like Junipers by its tiny scale-like leaves and woody cones (Junipers bear fleshy berries).
Quercus rugosa (Netleaf Oak)
Oaks are a diverse group of trees and shrubs in the American Southwest, and identifying some species can be tricky, as they are so variable.
Netleaf Oak is a speciality of the 'sky islands' of southeastern Arizona and adjacent New Mexico and forms a large shrub or small tree. As its common name suggests, the leaves have a prominent network of veins (much more so than other Quercus species).
Netleaf Oak is a speciality of the 'sky islands' of southeastern Arizona and adjacent New Mexico and forms a large shrub or small tree. As its common name suggests, the leaves have a prominent network of veins (much more so than other Quercus species).
Quercus chrysolepis (Canyon Live Oak)
The glossy, pointed foliage of this shrubby oak helps to identify it. As the photos show, individual plants can have both smooth and prickly leaves.
Canyon Live Oak is found scattered through central and southeastern Arizona but is most common and widespread in California.
Canyon Live Oak is found scattered through central and southeastern Arizona but is most common and widespread in California.
Quercus gambelii (Gambel's Oak)
Of all the south-western oaks, this species looks most like a 'typical' oak, with its lobed, deciduous foliage.
Gambel's Oak grows at moderate to high elevations and old specimens can form substantial trees, although many specimens are seen as slow-growing, upright shrubs.
Gambel's Oak grows at moderate to high elevations and old specimens can form substantial trees, although many specimens are seen as slow-growing, upright shrubs.
Quercus emoryi (Emory Oak)
This evergreen oak is restricted to south-eastern Arizona, where it can be a common species. It is rather similar to Q. grisea and the two species sometimes hybridise.
Q. emoryi has more pointed, toothed leaves with shiny surfaces, whereas Q.grisea has matt, greyish-green leaves which are more oblong and only slightly toothed. The plant shown in the first photo seems ambiguous - it has the leaf shape of emoryi but the surfaces don't seem particularly shiny - it could be Q.grisea or a hybrid.
Q. emoryi has more pointed, toothed leaves with shiny surfaces, whereas Q.grisea has matt, greyish-green leaves which are more oblong and only slightly toothed. The plant shown in the first photo seems ambiguous - it has the leaf shape of emoryi but the surfaces don't seem particularly shiny - it could be Q.grisea or a hybrid.
Quercus oblongifolia (Mexican Blue Oak)
An uncommon oak of sunny canyons and hillsides in southeastern Arizona, Mexican Blue Oak is a shrubby, small tree with distinctly bluish-green, matt, oblong leaves which lack any teeth or lobed.
Quercus turbinella (Sonoran Scrub Oak)
This species of oak has noticeably holly-like leaves with a powdery coating that gives them a slightly ashen look. The leaves are also flat and grey-green in colour, which helps to distinguish this shrubby tree from similar species.
Sonoran Scrub Oak grows to around five metres tall and is widespread in mountainous parts of Arizona.
Sonoran Scrub Oak grows to around five metres tall and is widespread in mountainous parts of Arizona.
Quercus hypoleucoides (Silverleaf Oak)
This easily-recognised oak is locally common in the mountains of south-eastern Arizona. The leaves have a unique combination of elongate shape, dark green upper surfaces and white-woolly lower surfaces. This tree grows as a large or small, spreading tree and favours damper habitats than some other oaks. Those shown here were growing near the banks of a canyon creek.
Morus microphylla (Texas Mulberry)
Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains
As the scientific name implies, this mulberry has distinctly small leaves. It is the smallest of the three western Morus species, although only this species is present in Arizona. It is most widespread in a band across the centre of the state, with scattered populations further south.
The small, lobed leaves have a rough texture on both surfaces.
The small, lobed leaves have a rough texture on both surfaces.
Acer negundo (Box Elder)
Mt Graham, Pinaleno Mountains
This attractive maple is common in many parts of the south-west. The compund leaves, divided into three toothed parts is distinctive and makes this species easy to identify.
Acer grandidentatum (Bigtooth Maple)
This large-growing maple is a tree of moist canyons in upland areas, where it can grow to over ten metres tall. Bigtooth Maple is colourful in spring as the leaves emerge with the drooping flowers and in autumn, as the foliage turns orange-red.
Despite its name, the degree of 'toothiness' of the leaves is rather variable. A good character for identifying this tree is to spot the broad, rounded gap (sinus) between the leaf lobes, as can be seen in this photo.
Despite its name, the degree of 'toothiness' of the leaves is rather variable. A good character for identifying this tree is to spot the broad, rounded gap (sinus) between the leaf lobes, as can be seen in this photo.
Prunus serotina
Mt Graham, Pinaleno Mountains
Text coming soon!
Arbutus arizonica (Arizona Madrone)
Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains
This attractive small tree is a rare species in Arizona, being entirely restricted to mountain woodlands in the south-eastern corner of the state (and adjacent New Mexico). The majority of its distribution is in Mexico.
This species is easy to recognise due to its distinctive bark, which is rough and fissured, unlike the smooth bark or other Arbutus species.
This species is easy to recognise due to its distinctive bark, which is rough and fissured, unlike the smooth bark or other Arbutus species.
Shrubs
Berberis wilcoxii
Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
Text coming soon.
Cercocarpus ledifolius
Cercocarpus montanus (Common Mountain Mahogany)
Text coming soon!
Fallugia paradoxa (Apache Plume)
Molino Basin, Santa Catalina Mountains
Well-known throughout the desert southwest, Apache Plume is an attractive shrub when in flower. It is named for the fluffy red seed heads (one visible in this photo), named for their resemblance to Indian head-dresses.
Dalea formosa (Feather Dalea)
The common name of this southern Arizona species comes from the densely hairy sepals, just visible in this photo. The flowers are purple with a singe yellow petal, which turns marron as the flower ages.
D. formosa forms small shrub and inhabits dry, upland mesas and hill slopes.
D. formosa forms small shrub and inhabits dry, upland mesas and hill slopes.
Vauquelinia californica
Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
The narrow, toothed leaves make this an easy shrub to identify. Vauquelinia is a species of canyons and rocky hillsides, growing to around six metres tall. When present, the small, white flowers occur in clusters at the end of the branches.
Despite its name, Vauqelinia is not found in California. In the US, it only occurs in southern Arizona, while in Mexico it is found in Baja California.
Despite its name, Vauqelinia is not found in California. In the US, it only occurs in southern Arizona, while in Mexico it is found in Baja California.
Rhus trilobata (Skunk Bush)
Molino Basin, Mt Lemmon, Santa Catalina Mountains (both photos)
This common upland shrub is easy to identify with its compound, trifoliate leaves and velverty red stems.
Skunkbush grows to around two metres tall and bears small yellow flower clusters in spring, follwed by edible red berries in the autumn.
Skunkbush grows to around two metres tall and bears small yellow flower clusters in spring, follwed by edible red berries in the autumn.
Ceanothus fendleri
Santa Rita Mountains
Ceanothus is a diverse genus in North America, and in the Sonoran Desert this is one of the common species. It is easily recognised by its three-veined leaves and stout spines. The fragrant white-pink flowers occur mainly in the summer, but those shown here were out in late April.
C. fendleri is common in upland areas of Arizona, where it grows in dry forests.
C. fendleri is common in upland areas of Arizona, where it grows in dry forests.
Ceanothus greggii (Desert Buckbrush / Desert Lilac)
This very attractive shrub is readily distinguished from C. fendleri by its lack of spines and leathery leaves which have only one prominent vein. It is a much less common plant in Arizona, being restricted to the south-eastern quarter of the state. Although an upland plant, it is not a woodland species, unlike C. fendleri.
Vitis arizonica (Arizona Grape)
The deeply-notched leaf base makes this climbing vine easy to identify. Arizona Grape inhabits ravines and damp habitats at moderate elevations in southeastern Arizona. Like its well-known cousins, the fruit is juicy and edible.
Arctostaphylos pungens (Manzanita)
When in flower, this lovely species is one of the most beautiful shrubs one will encounter in Arizona's mountains. The delicate, bell-shaped flowers hang down in dense clusters below the pointed, leathery, evergreen leaves.
Manzanita inhabits dry, upland slopes and grows to around three metres in height. It is widespread in the American southwest.
Manzanita inhabits dry, upland slopes and grows to around three metres in height. It is widespread in the American southwest.
Smaller plants, including cacti
Aquilegia chrysantha (Yellow Columbine)
Huachuca Mountains
I wasn't lucky enough to see this lovely species flowering, but those who are will be in for a treat - A. chrysantha has stunning golden yellow flowers with long spurs on their back.
This is a species of damp canyons and streamsides and is widespread in many parts of the American southwest.
This is a species of damp canyons and streamsides and is widespread in many parts of the American southwest.
Corydalis aurea (Golden Corydalis)
Miller Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
Found at almost any elevation in Arizona, this distinctive species flowers from late winter into mid-summer. The curved, tubular flowers make it easy to recognise, as do the divided, greyish-blue-green leaves.
Golden Corydalis has one of the largest ranges of an Arizona plant, being present across much of North America.
Golden Corydalis has one of the largest ranges of an Arizona plant, being present across much of North America.
Heuchera sanguinea (Coral Bells)
Mt Lemmon Highway, Santa Catalina Mountains
Text coming soon!
Platanus wrightii
Image coming soon!
Arizona Sycamore is a conspicuous and often dominant tree along creeklines in mountain canyons in southern Arizona. It is very easy to recognise, as the trunk develops a characteristic mottled pattern as the older bark flakes off. The leaves are maple-like.
Petrophytum caespitosum
Text coming soon!
Asclepias linaria (Pine-needle Milkweed)
Text coming soon!
Glandularia bipinnatifida - check id & habitat
Sabino Canyon, Santa Catalina Mountains
Text coming soon!
Castilleja tenuiflora (Santa Catalina Indian Paintbrush)
Text coming soon!
Castilleja integra (Southwestern Indian Paintbrush)
Text coming soon.
Castilleja incana
road to Mt Graham, Pinaleno Mountains
Mt Lemmon, Santa Catalina Mountains
Text coming soon!
Penstemon pseudospectabilis (Desert Beardtongue)
Mt Lemmon, Santa Catalina Mountains
One of the southwest's larger Penstemons, this attractive species bears pink-red flowers on metre-high spikes in late spring and early summer. It is a species of rocky canyon and hillsides. A useful identification feature is the clasping leaves up the stem, which make it look like they have been skewered.
P. pseudospectabilis can be found from California east to New Mexico.
P. pseudospectabilis can be found from California east to New Mexico.
Penstemon eatonii (Eaton's Firecracker)
Mt Lemmon, Santa Catalina Mountains
A beautiful, tall Penstemon growing to over a metre in height, this lovely species is common in many parts of Arizona. It can be recognised by its mostly one-sided flower spikes and fairly broad, lanceolate leaves. P.eatonii is widespread in the southern Rocky Mountains. The plant shown here resembles ssp.exsertus, which is the dominant form in southern Arizona and is characterised by stamens which project beyond the end of the flower tubes.
The most similar species in Arizona is P.subulatus, which is smaller, has linear leaves and shorter, narrower flowers which spread from the stem in all directions. It is also a lower-altitude plant than P.eatonii, although their distributions do overlap.
The most similar species in Arizona is P.subulatus, which is smaller, has linear leaves and shorter, narrower flowers which spread from the stem in all directions. It is also a lower-altitude plant than P.eatonii, although their distributions do overlap.
Bouvardia ternifolia (Fire-cracker Bush)
Molino Basin, Mt Lemmon, Santa Catalina Mountains
Rocky canyons are the home of this beautiful small shrub. It favours cooler conditions and will often be found in partially shaded places. Identifying Bouvardia is simple when the bright red, tubular flowers are present. Like many long desert flowers, they are pollinated by hummingbirds. The leaves of the plant shown here are quite narrow - they can be broader than this but still narrow to a pointed tip.
Bouvardia flowers throughout the summer into early autumn. The plant shown here was already flowering in mid-April.
Bouvardia flowers throughout the summer into early autumn. The plant shown here was already flowering in mid-April.
Senecio sp (currently unidentified)
Mt Lemmon
Text coming soon, pending ID. Any advice is welcome!
Stevia lemmonii (Lemmon's Candyleaf)
Text coming soon!
Guardiola platyphylla (Guardiola)
Mt Lemmon, Santa Catalina Mountains
Text coming soon!
Maianthemum racemosum
Mt Graham, Pinaleno Mountains
Text coming soon!
Thymophylla pentachaeta (Five-needle Prickyleaf)
road to Mt Graham, Pinaleno Mountains
This little species can be seen in dry habitats up to moderate elevations in the uplands. The beautiful yellow flowerheads with broad centres and wide rays and needle-like foliage make it easy to recognise. The leaves are actually broad, but are very narrowly divided into prickle-tipped leaflets.
Thymophylla occurs across the desert southwest and even as far afield as South America.
Thymophylla occurs across the desert southwest and even as far afield as South America.
Escobaria vivipara var.bisbeeana (Beehive Cactus)
Chiricahua Mountains
A common and variable species, E.vivipara is widespread in open forests, grasslands and upland canyons in Arizona. Several varieties occur in Arizona, although populations in the south are all var.bisbeeana.
Beehive Cactus can be identified by its usually spherical stens (although it can grow in a more columnar way), strongly-clustering habit of mature plants, grooved tubercles on the stems and bright purple flowers in mid-summer. Superficially it could resemble a Mammillaria, but Escobaria spines are never hooked.
Molino Basin, Santa Catalina Mountains
Beehive Cactus can be identified by its usually spherical stens (although it can grow in a more columnar way), strongly-clustering habit of mature plants, grooved tubercles on the stems and bright purple flowers in mid-summer. Superficially it could resemble a Mammillaria, but Escobaria spines are never hooked.
Molino Basin, Santa Catalina Mountains
Echinocereus coccineus (Claret Cup Hedgehog Cactus)
Chiricahua Mountains
Perhaps the most common cactus of rocky canyons in the mountains of southern Arizona, which form the western edge of its mainly Chihuahuan Desert range, E.coccineus is especially apparent in spring, when clumps can be covered in bright red flowers.
Out of flower, this species can be a bit harder to identify, as the colour of the spines can be rather variable, although they are often greyish. E.coccineus is part of a complicated species complex, with various taxa regarded as varieties or separate species in themselves (e.g. E.arizonicus, E.santaritensis). The often very similar E.triglochidiatus is a plant of the Mojave and Great Basin deserts in northern and western Arizona and does not occur in the mountains of southern Arizona.
Out of flower, this species can be a bit harder to identify, as the colour of the spines can be rather variable, although they are often greyish. E.coccineus is part of a complicated species complex, with various taxa regarded as varieties or separate species in themselves (e.g. E.arizonicus, E.santaritensis). The often very similar E.triglochidiatus is a plant of the Mojave and Great Basin deserts in northern and western Arizona and does not occur in the mountains of southern Arizona.
Echinocereus fendleri var. rectispinus (Fendler Hedgehog Cactus)
Chiricahua Mountains
Seeing this cactus is always a special event in southern Arizona, as it is not ever common in my experience, despite being widely distributed.
It is an easy cactus to identify, with its short, stout spines which leave the dark green stems easily visible. It is shorter and often more solitary than other upland Echinocereus. In late spring, very large, magenta flowers appear - perhaps the most beautiful of all Arizona's cacti.
It is an easy cactus to identify, with its short, stout spines which leave the dark green stems easily visible. It is shorter and often more solitary than other upland Echinocereus. In late spring, very large, magenta flowers appear - perhaps the most beautiful of all Arizona's cacti.
Echinocereus rigidissimus (Arizona Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus)
Box Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains
Kitt Peak, Quinian Mountains
A very distinctive-looking species of upland grassland and open woodland, E.rigidissimus is instantly recognisable by its tight spination with bands of cream, pink and red. The areoles lack a central spine, giving a smooth, comb-like appearance to the stems.
This species blooms in late spring/early summer, with large, magenta-pink flowers with a white throat. It can be found in most of the mountains and upland areas of south-eastern Arizona, where it could only be confused with the much rarer E.pseudopectinatus, which only occurs in the far south-east of the state, close to the Mexican border. It has similar banding, but the stems have short central, protruding spines and pure pink flowers with no white throat.
Kitt Peak
This species blooms in late spring/early summer, with large, magenta-pink flowers with a white throat. It can be found in most of the mountains and upland areas of south-eastern Arizona, where it could only be confused with the much rarer E.pseudopectinatus, which only occurs in the far south-east of the state, close to the Mexican border. It has similar banding, but the stems have short central, protruding spines and pure pink flowers with no white throat.
Kitt Peak
Monocots
Agave parryi ssp. huachucensis
Huachuca Mountains
This rare variety of the widespread A. parryi is restricted to upland canyons in and around the Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona and adjacent Mexico. It is a larger-growing species with longer leaves than var.parryi.
Agave palmeri (Palmer Agave)
Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
This mainly upland Agave is fairly common in southeastern Arizona, where it grows on rocky, limestone slopes and in other open habitats like grassland. It can also be found in open pine-oak woodlands.
Palmer Agave grows to around a metre high and wide and can be recognised by its long, narrow, ferociously-toothed leaves. A. parryi, which often grows in similar habitats, has much shorter, relatively broader leaves.
Palmer Agave grows to around a metre high and wide and can be recognised by its long, narrow, ferociously-toothed leaves. A. parryi, which often grows in similar habitats, has much shorter, relatively broader leaves.
Dasylirion wheeleri (Sotol)
Huachuca Mountains
Sotol is described in the Cacti & Succelents of the Sonoran Desert section of the site.
Yucca schottii (Mountain Yucca)
Santa Rita Mountains
As its common name suggests. Mountain Yucca is an upland species, where it grows in moist, open forests, as shown here. Superficially, it resembles Soap-tree Yucca but the leaves are more blue-green and have brown edges which do not fray into abundant white fibres.
Ferns & Alllies
Bommeria hispida
Chiricahua Mountains
Notholaena cochisensis
Chiricahua Mountains