MG desert adapted plants and plant selection · 2011-04-25 · 4/25/2011 2 8686.04 Langleys per...
Transcript of MG desert adapted plants and plant selection · 2011-04-25 · 4/25/2011 2 8686.04 Langleys per...
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• Ecology defined:
The interaction of organisms with the environment
Living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) environments
• Scant precipitation (< 10 inches per year)
• 100,000 square miles• 60 mammal species• 350 bird species• 20 amphibian species• At least 100 reptile
species• 30 species of fish• More than 2,000 plant
species• 17 indigenous cultures
Guaymas, Sonora
Dunes near Yuma
Superstition Mountains
Slope of Picacho Peak
Saguaro National Park
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8686.04 Langleys per kWh/m2/day
Plant adaptations• Waxy cuticle• Succulence• Spines, hairs• Microbial associations• Altered photosynthetic
strategies
Animal adaptations• Migration• Nocturnal habits• Long ears, long legs• Aestivation
Curved-bill thrasher
Cactus wren
Anna’s hummingbird
Phainopepla
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Palo verde root borer beetle Cicada
Bark scorpion
Tarantula hawk (w/tarantula!)
Ground snakes
Western diamondback rattlesnake
Desert kingsnake
Arizona coral snake
California leaf-nosed bat
Coyote
Javelina
Mule deer
Bursage
Brittlebush
Desert broom
Desert marigold
Saguaro
Engelmann’s prickly pear
Teddy bear cholla
Fishhook barrel
Velvet mesquite Palo verde
Desert ironwood
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Palo verdes
Parkinsoniafloridum – blue palo verde
Parkinsoniamicrophyllum –foothills paloverde
Parkinsoniapraecox – Palo brea
Bursera microphylla – elephant tree
CreosoteWolfberry
Jojoba
Ocotillo
• Boyce Thompson Arboretum• Arizona-Sonora Desert
Museum• The Heard Museum• Hoo-hoogam Ki Museum• Tohono Chul Park
Additional Resources
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Kelly Young
Extension Horticulture Agent, University of Arizona
602‐827‐8200 x 319
Wrong Plant, Wrong Location
Leads to poor care choices.
Selecting Appropriate Species:Right Plant, Right Location
Selecting Appropriate Species1. Mature size and space available2. Plant characteristics: Form, Allergies, Poisonous/edible,
Fragrance3. Maintenance requirements: Pruning, Fertilizing, Trashy,
Weedy4. Plant tolerances to site characteristics: Heat/cold,
Drought/flooding, Air pollution, Insects, Diseases, Salinity, pH, Light
5. Functional uses: Shading, Screening, Erosion, Traffic, Wildlife, Safety
6. Suitability: City and street, Electric lines, Patio and oasis, Pools
Landscape Plants for the Desert Southwest: Use it!Common Name: Blue Palo VerdeBotanical Name: Cercidium floridumMature Size: 30' h x 30' w Flower Color: Bright yellowSun: full or reflected sun Flower Season: springWater: very low Foliage Color: blue‐green Growth Rate: fast Foliage Texture: fine Form: vase‐shaped Evergreen? Semi‐evergreenHardiness: 11‐20° F Litter: seasonal Allergenic: no Thorns: small Attracts Wildlife: birds Other Features: Vivid spring color. Nesting for birds.Recently reclassified as Parkinsonia florida.Native to: Sonoran Desert Plant Type: tree
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Common Name: Texas Mountain LaurelBotanical Name: Sophora secundiflora
Mature Size: 8' h x 6' w Flower Color: Purple clustersSun: full sun Flower Season: springWater: low Foliage Color: dark greenGrowth Rate: slow Foliage Texture: mediumForm: upright, dense Evergreen? Evergreen Hardiness: 1‐10° F Litter: lowAllergenic: no Thorns: noneOther Features: Fragrant flowers.
Can be grown as a small tree.Native to: Chihuahuan DesertPlant Type: tree, shrub
Eremophilaprostrata
Pyracantha sp.
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Selecting PlantsSize relative to container
Health ‐ no evidence of:InsectsDiseaseCultural problemsWounds (especially at nursery stake)
StructureNatural plant habit/form maintainedWide branch anglesLower limbs not removedNo nursery stake
Root systemNot rootboundNo girdling roots at top of container
Transplanting1. Till area 3 to 5x diameter of rootball and no deeper, with
rough or sloping side walls
2. Dig hole in center of tilled area no deeper than rootball
3. Do not amend backfill
4. Score or butterfly rootball to reduce probability of girdling roots, set top of rootball at or slightly above soil surface
5. Do not pack backfill around rootball
6. Form irrigation well at rootball boundary, irrigate entire tilled area to settle soil without packing
7. Mulch soil surface to depth of 4”, keep mulch away from plant trunk
8. Do not prune unnecessarily
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StakingA. Use at least two stakes. Put stakes outside rootball and
irrigation well at right angles to direction of heaviest wind.B. Hold trunk and bend canopy to one side. If canopy does
not return to upright position, move up trunk and try again. Find lowest point on trunk at which the canopy can return to upright position. Put ties about 6” above this point. One set of cross ties is best.
C. Use wire for ties. Protect trunk by putting wire inside garden hose. Trunk should not move inside garden hose, but wire should be loose so that trunk and garden hose can move as a unit.
D. Cut off top of stakes below canopy to prevent limbs from rubbing against stakes.