vision of Agr

ural Sciences

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

S (D/mawentafe

for Low-elevation Desert Areas
of Southern California

CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL
Experiment Station
Extension Service

CIRCULAR 496

** ^

"%* "

Photo above and on front cover courtesy of Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce.

IN THE DESERT AREAS of Southern California the first settlers recognized the need for
ornamental plantings for the comfort of both man and beast. Over the years many
different kinds of plant materials have been tried. Some have barely survived. Many
have proved totally unsuited to the heat, aridity, and wide variation of diurnal tem-
perature, to the soil, water, and salinity characteristic of this desert. A surprising number
of plants have grown satisfactorily.

Recent studies have emphasized the marked effect of trees, shrubs, vines, and good
ground cover on the temperature in and around homes and buildings. In order to deter-
mine what plants could be recommended for home and community use, the authors
surveyed existing plants at different seasons from December, 1952, to May, 1954. In
the Coachella Valley of Riverside County, the survey covered Palm Springs, Indio, and
nearby communities. In the Imperial Valley, plantings in and around Brawley, El Centro,
Imperial, Meloland, Holtville, and adjacent areas were studied. Along the Colorado
River, the survey included plantings in Needles, Blythe, and on the former United States
Department of Agriculture, Yuma Field Station at Bard, California. The survey included
plantings in the northern low-elevation valleys, such as Death Valley and around
Bagdad.

This circular replaces Bulletin 750

THE AUTHORS:

Mildred E. Mathias, Assistant Specialist, Department of Botany, University of California, Los
Angeles.
/ Woodbridge Metcalf, Extension Forester, University of California, Berkeley.

Marston H. Kimball, Extension Ornamental Horticulturist, University of California, Los Angeles.
Robert S. Ayers, Associate Agriculturist, Agricultural Extension Service, Imperial County.
' Chester L. Hemstreet, Associate Agriculturist, Agricultural Extension Service, San Bernardino
County.
Dean D. Halsey, Assistant Agriculturist, Agricultural Extension Service, Riverside County.

FEBRUARY, 1961

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

for LOW-ELEVATION DESERT

AREAS of SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

LOCATION

California deserts. There are sec-
tions of three desert areas in eastern Cali-
fornia: to the north is the high elevation,
known as the Great Basin (4,500 to over
7.000 feet elevation) ; to the south lie
both the middle elevation, or the Mojave
(2,000 feet to 4,500 feet elevation), and
the low elevation, or Sonoran Desert,
known locally as the Colorado Desert
(below 1,000 feet). The accompanying
map shows the close relationship of the
middle- and low-elevation areas. This
study is concerned with the low-elevation
desert, an area lying below 1,000 feet
elevation along the Colorado River and
in the Imperial, Coachella, Borego, Palo
Verde, Panamint, and Death valleys of
California.

CLIMATE

Temperature. The climate of the
area is desert subtropical, characterized
by daily maximums from 90° F to 110°
from mid-May through September. Dur-
ing this season, temperatures may be
100° or higher every day for six to ten
weeks and occasionally longer. All-time
extremes have been recorded from 119°
at Bagdad, 130° at Amos, to 134° in
Death Valley. During winter months,
temperatures in the 80's and 90's have
been recorded at all stations.

Temperatures as recorded in standard
weather bureau instrument shelters, often
in garden-modified environments, arc
uniform throughout the area. With the
exception of Death Valley, station rec-
ords differ only 2° to 3° plus or minus
the average mean daily maximum or

mean daily minimum for each month. In
Death Valley, temperatures are consist-
ently 2° to 8° warmer day and night in
the summer and 1° to 3° cooler in the
winter.

Diurnal fluctuation is wide — 40° to
60° being common. Winters are mild, the
usual minimum ranging from 28° to 30\
Severe freezes occur infrequently when
temperatures drop to 13° to 18°. An ex-
treme low of 5° was recorded on one
occasion in Blythe.

Rainfall. Average recorded rainfall Is
from 1.69 inches in Death Valley to 5.62
inches at Palm Springs, with an average
for the entire low-elevation desert area of
about 3.5 inches. Almost the entire sea-
sonal rainfall may occur in one storm
which can be a violent summer thunder-
storm. Precipitation in December, Janu-
ary, and February normally accounts for
about half the yearly total. In some years
there is practically no rain. Annual rain-
fall distribution is shown on the accom-
panying map.

Growing season. This period is long,
with 300 days normally expected between
spring and fall frosts. Some crops are
grown throughout the entire year. As a
result of differences in elevation, consid-
erable variation in minimum tempera-
tures is known to occur within short
distances. This is indicated by the exist-
ence on the slopes above the valley floors
of thermal belts in which more tender
plants are growing.

Wind. Wind and sandstorms are com-
mon occurrences. Windbreaks make pos-
sible the growing of a much wider range
of plants.

[4]

Mean Precipitation Low-elevation Desert

LOCATION

YEARS

OF

RECORD

ELEVATION,
FEET

ANNUAL
TOTAL

WINTER

December,
January,
February

SPRING

March,
April,
May

SUMMER

June,

July,

August

FALL

Sept.,
October,
November

Amos

Bagdad

Blythe

Brawley

Borego Valley*.

Calexico

Death Valley...

El Centro

Imperial

Indio

Mecca

Needles

Palm Springs. . .
Yuma, Arizonaf

Average

51
23
42
44
9
32
40
21
32
73
39
63
56
30

255

784

268

-119

550

0

-178

-50

-69

-20

-175

477

420

141

2.42
2.28
4.05
2.44
3.99
3.18
1.69
3.23
3.38
3.20
3.30
4.63
5.62
3.39

1.05
0.78
1.61
1.33
1.44
1.38
0.75
1.63
1.76
1.71
1.56
1 87
3.48
1.17

0.38
0.54
0.55
0.45
0.53
0.43
0.37
0.39
0.36
0.43
0.42
0.69
0.86
0 38

0.60
0.52
0.80
0.24
1.22
0.67
0.22
0.37
0.45
0.35
0.65
1.06
0.41
0.74

0.39
0.44
1.09
0.42
0.80
0.70
0.35
0.84
0.81
0.71
0.67
1.01
0.87
1.10

3.34

1.54

0.48

0.59

0.73

* Included in precipitation table only. Highest temperature of record, 120° (July); lowest 19° F (December),
t Across the Colorado River from Bard, California. Complete, long-time weather record is available.

Rainfall is low

IN THE DESERT AREA

Temperatures are high

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE— 14 STATIONS

JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. NOV. DEC.

[5]

Atmosphere. The desert atmosphere
is nearly always extremely dry. A limited
area directly north of the Gulf of Cali-
fornia frequently experiences moderately
high humidity in the summer. The mois-
ture is insufficient to cause clouds but
does raise the relative humidity to about
30 per cent. Aside from this localized
effect, relative humidity at mid-day over
most of the desert during the summer is
in the range of 10 to 20 per cent.

SOILS AND SALINITY

Soils. In the Imperial and Palo Verde
valleys are alluvial deposits from the
Colorado River, which vary in texture
from sandy loams to clays. There are
areas of windblown sands around the
perimeter of the valleys. Soils of the
Coachella Valley are of. local alluvial
origin and range from coarse sands to
clay.

Salinity. With the exception of a few
high alluvial fans, desert soils are char-
acteristically saline. They must be re-
claimed before ornamental plantings will
succeed. Reclamation processes are the
same as those used for commercial agri-
culture.

IRRIGATION AND WATER QUALITY

Irrigation. The widely varying soils
require different irrigation practices.
Plants on lighter soils need to be irri-
gated with relatively small quantities of
water every few days, while on heavy
soils irrigation applications should be
heavier and less frequent.

Ornamental plantings in the desert are
entirely dependent on irrigation. There
is a close relationship between irrigation
for plant growth and for the control of
salinity in the soil.

Water quality. A few areas have
high-quality water of local origin. Under
these conditions, salinity is seldom a
problem. In the main, the low-elevation
desert is irrigated with water from the
Colorado River, which is a gypsiferous
water with about one ton of dissolved

salts per acre foot. With this type of
water and with low rainfall, salinity can
build up rapidly in the soil unless enough
water is used to maintain adequate leach-
ing. In these areas, flood irrigation is rec-
ommended for lawns as well as for trees
and shrubs to prevent accumulations of
salt in the root zone.

Most native plants are susceptible to
root rot diseases when the soil around
their roots is kept wet during the sum-
mer. Consequently, they should be
planted by themselves where they can be
watered at longer intervals.

The University of California Agricul-
tural Extension Service with offices in
each county is available for consultation
as to needs and methods of reclamation,
soil management, and irrigation prac-
tices.

PLANT MATERIALS

Three lists of plant materials* are pre-
sented: I — those plants actually observed
by the authors or by Edward G. Noble.
Superintendent, Department of Agricul-
ture, Yuma Field Station, Bard, Califor-
nia, 1917 to 1948. Plants contributed and
rated by Mr. Noble are marked (1) in
the list; II — plants reliably reported; and
III — suggestions for trial plantings.

Cacti and other succulents, agaves,
garden annuals, and bulbs which are
commonly grown are not listed. These
may be used in variety or season as de-
sired.

All species and varieties in List I are
known to be adapted to the low-elevation
desert. Those in List II are believed
equally satisfactory. Their successful uti-
lization will depend on maintaining suit-
able cultural conditions. Many plants
listed as evergreens may be partly or
wholly deciduous in cold winters. Some
listed as deciduous may be nearly ever-
green in warm winters.

* The nomenclature used follows L. H.
Bailey, Manual of Cultivated Plants, 1949, and
Hortus Second, 1941.

[6]

LIST I

A grading of 1, 2, 3, and 4 is utilized
to indicate frequency of distribution of
plants in the area surveyed: 1, a large
number of plants in general use in most
communities; 2, fewer plants with rather
general distribution; 3, a few plants
found in three or more locations or many
specimens of the same plant in one place;
4, plants found in only one or two places,
or a single specimen. Location is shown
when the frequency rating is 3 or 4.
When location is not listed, general or
common (1 or 2) distribution is indi-
cated.

Only those species and varieties found
capable of making satisfactory growth
and appearance under desert environ-
ment are listed. All species accepted for
this list were three, four, or more years
old, having survived as many complete
seasons. Plants in List I were graded for
condition: 1, excellent; 2, fair; and 3,
acceptable. The grade was not assigned
until at least one specimen was found in
the grade allowed. To cite an example,
many individuals of Ceratonia siliqua,
Carob, were found apparently showing
saline injury and possibly some iron
chlorosis before good plants were dis-
covered. The same is true of Cedrus
deodar a and Acacia bailey ana, excellent
specimens of which were found in Palm
Springs. The existence of these good
specimens prove their suitability to the
climate when soil and water are favor-
able. As a consequence, these species are
graded Condition 1.

When only weak, sickly plants of a
species were observed under good grow-
ing conditions, that species was consid-
ered unsuitable, and therefore not listed.
Eucalyptus citriodora can be cited as an
example.

Plants are scored in three grades with
respect to drought resistance : 1 ) drought
tolerant, such as desert natives; 2) mod-
erately drought tolerant, such as the
olive, oleander, most palms, and the al-
mond, which will use large quantities of

water if available, but which will do
reasonably well on greatly reduced sup-
plies; and 3) not drought tolerant, such
as citrus, elms, willows, myrtles, or pyra-
cantha.

Plants are not rated for salinity toler-
ance. However, relative susceptibility, or
tolerance, is indicated by the location and
general utilization of a plant. Those
widely distributed in all areas can be con-
sidered moderately tolerant.

LIST II

This compilation is from published
and unpublished lists of plants for low-
elevation desert areas of California and
Arizona. No gradings are given. The list
has been compiled from five sources in-
dicated by numbers corresponding to the
numbered list below :

(1) 1938. Ornamental Plants for Subtropical
Regions. Roland S. Hoyt. Livingston Press, Los
Angeles.

(2) 1951. Plants for Imperial Valley. A mimeo-
graphed leaflet issued by the University of Cali-
fornia Agricultural Extension Service of Im-
perial Valley, El Centro, California.

(3) 1951. Desert Agriculture. Circular 176 of
the University of California Agricultural Exten-
sion Service.

(4) 1952. Trees for Yuma County. Mimeo-
graphed leaflet issued by the University of Ari-
zona Agricultural Extension Service, Yuma
County, Yuma, Arizona.

(5) 1953. Private, unpublished list. Courtesy of
Arthur Barton, Glendale, California.

LIST III

These plant materials are suggested for
experimental trial. Many have been rec-
ommended for desert areas in other parts
of the world and may well be adapted.
The list has been prepared from personal
notes of the authors (no reference num-
ber) and the following references with
source indicated by number:

(6) 1948. Shrubs and Trees for Australian Gar-
dens. Ernest E. Lord, Section V, "The Hot Dry
Inland," pp. 367-77.

(7) 1951. Flowering Shrubs and Trees for South
African Gardens. Sima Eliovson, "Plants for
Dry Conditions," pp. 40-41.

(8) 1951. Ornamental Shrubs for the Southern
Great Plains. Farmers Bulletin 2025, U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.

[7]

Coniferous trees and shrubs

List I — Species and Varieties of Plants KnownYo

Mr

4

Scientific name

Common name

Fre-
quency

Location

Condi-
tion

Remarks

Cedrus deodara

Deodar cedar

4

El Centro, Palm
Springs

1

Specimen in El Centro *
shows saline injury

Cupressus glabra

Arizona cypress

1

1

Usually grown as C. ari-
zonica

Cupressus

Monterey cypress

4

Blythe, Thermal

2

+

macrocarpa

r

Cupressus

Italian cypress

1

1

Great variation from colum-

sempervirens

nar to spreading <•

Juniperus

Pfitzer juniper

1

1

Several varieties; bright

chinensis

blue berries * *

Juniperus hori-

Creeping juniper

4

Blythe

1

zontalis

*

Juniperus sabina

Savin juniper

2

1

Injured by salinity

Pinus canariensis

Canary Island pine

2

1

Pinus halepensis

Aleppo pine

1

1

4

Thuja orientalis

Chinese arborvitae

1

1

Shrub and tree forms

Palms

Arecastrum ro-

Cocospalm

3

Blythe, El Centro

2

Tall slender grayish trunk

manzoffianum

Chamaerops hu-

European fan palm

4

Bard

1

Hairy trunk y

milis (1)

Erythea bran-

San Jose Hesper

4

Bard

1

<

degeei (1)

palm

Erythea edulis (1)

Guadalupe palm

4

Bard

1

<

Phoenix

Canary Island palm

1

1

Heavy trunk; wide spread-

canariensis

ing

Phoenix

Date palm

1

1

Halawi, Saidy, Zahidi, Bar-

dactylifera

bi recommended for home
use

Sabal exul (1)

Victoria palmetto

4

Bard

1

•

Sabal texana (1)

Texas palmetto

4

Bard

1

• i

Washingtonia

California fan palm

1

1

Desert native; heavy trim J

filifera

•

Washingtonia

Mexican fan palm

1

1

Slender trunk

robusta

-

Evergreen trees

« 1

A cacia pendula

Weeping acacia

3

Brawley, Indio

1

Attractive foliage

Acacia retinodes

Wirilda

3

Brawley, Thermal

1

Attractive flowers -4

u

[8]

■ •

row Satisfactorily in Low-elevation Desert Environment

*■

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Frost
tolerance

) '/•night
'distance

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3

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3

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X

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X

X

X
X
X
X

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X
X
X
X
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X

X
X

X

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X
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X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X
X

X
X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X
X
X

2 x x x x x

2 x-x x xx x

,2 xxx x x

* 2 xx x x

2 x-xxxx x x

2 x-xxx x x

2 x x x x

+ 2 xx x x

2 x x x x x x

2 x x x x x x

(Continued on next page )

[9

Evergreen trees (continued)

List I — Species and Varieties of Plants Knov i iu

Scientific name

Common name

Fre-
quency

Location

Condi-
tion

— v.

« «

Remarks J '
f

f

Acacia saligna

Golden wreath
wattle

4

El Centro

2

Shows some saline burn

<

Arbutus unedo

Strawberry tree

2

Fine red fruits « 4

Bauhinia

Orchid tree, moun-

2

2

Purple flowers in spring;

variegala

tain ebony

partly deciduous *

Brachy chiton

Bottle tree

1

Weeping form best

populneum

/

Callistemon

Fire-fall tree

1

Fine red flowers; weeping

viminalis

•

Casuarina species

Beefwood

1

Several species .

Celtis laevigata

Mississippi haek-

3

Holtville,

Good lawn tree; fast grow -

berry

Needles

ing 4

Ceralonia siliqua

Carob, St. John's
bread

1

Not salt tolerant

Citrus auranti-

Mandarin lime

4

Indio

Avoid use in red scale areas

folia

(Rangpur)

4

Citrus aurantium

Sour or bitter orange

2

Avoid use in red scale areas

Citrus grandis

Shaddock

4

Indio

Avoid use in red scale area's *

{maxima)

Citrus limon

Lemon

2

Avoid use in red scale areas;
Eureka best variety ^

Citrus medica

Citron

4

Indio

Avoid use in red scale areas

Citrus mitis

Calamondin

4

Indio

Avoid use in red scale areas*:
good street tree

Citrus paradisi

Grapefruit

1

Avoid use in red scale area 1 :
Marsh seedless best va-
riety s

Citrus reticulata

Tangerine

2

Avoid use in red scale areas

Citrus sinensis

Valencia and navel
orange

2

Avoid use in red scale areas'

Eriobotrya

Loquat

3

Blythe, Palm

Edible fruit

japonica

Springs

k

Eucalyptus ca-

Red gum

1

Widely used as windbreak

maldulensis

- t

(E. rostrata)

Eucalyptus poly-

Australian beech;

4

Desert Center,

Good cut foliage

anthemos

silver dollar euca-
lyptus

Needles

1

Eucalyptus

Corkscrew euca-

4

Blythe

2

Good cut foliage

pulverulenta

lyptus

■•i

Eucalyptus rudis

Desert gum

1

Attractive blue-gray foli.7 .ge ^

Eucalyptus sider-

Pink-flowered iron

3

Blythe, ElCentro,

2-3

Striking black bark and

oxylon rosea

bark

Palm Springs

bluish foliage „,

[10]

frow Satisfactorily in Low-elevation Desert Environment (Continued)

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Frost
tolerance

>

>.ought
ewstance

«5

CO

to

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CM

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2

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

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X

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X

^ 2

X

-

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

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2

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

K 3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

*

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

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X

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2

X

X

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X

X

X

►-

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X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

(Continued on next page )

[11]

Evergreen trees (concluded)

List I — Species and Varieties of Plants Known >?

Scientific name

Common name

Fre-
quency

Location

Condi-
tion

•♦ 4

Remarks , \

1

Eucalyptus

Gray gum

1

2

Tall tree with good form

iereticornis

*

(E. umbellata)

Eucalyptus

Manna gum

3

Blythe

1

<
Good windbreak

viminalis

*
Needs shade and heavy

Ficus benjamina

4

Bard

3

watering ^

Ficus macro-

Moreton Bay fig

4

Bard

3

Needs shade when young

phylla

<

Fortunella

Kumquat

4

Bard

1

Nagami variety

margarita

< I

Grevillea robusta

Silk oak

1

1

Several forms; will stand
lawn watering

Leptospermum

Australian tea tree

4

Meloland

2

laevigatum

Magnolia

Magnolia, bull bay

4

Palm Springs

1

Fine flowering shade tre#;

grandijlora

will stand lawn watering

Olea europaea

Olive

1

1

Large trees move easily h ■

Parkinsonia

Jerusalem thorn

1

1

Green stems; golden flowers

aculeata

Pistacia atlantica

African pistache

3

Brawley, Indio

1

Male and female trees

Pistacia mexicana

Mexican pistache

4

Indio

1

Fine foliage; possible

hybrid; male and female
trees

Prosopis chilensis

Chilean mesquite

3

Bard, El Centro

1

Good form; large pods A

Prunus

Carolina cherry

4

Indio

2

Needs shade

caroliniana

■i

Quercus agrifolia

Coast live oak

4

Palm Springs

2

Probably marginal

Quercus vir-

Southern live oak

4

Holtville

1

Dense crown makes heavy*

giniana

shade; needs water

Rhus lancea

3

El Centro, Indio

1

Beautiful foliage; very
promising

Schinus molle

Peruvian pepper
(California pep-
per)

2

1-2

Feathery foliage; rose
colored berries „ \

Schinus terebin-

Brazilian pepper

3

Blythe, El Centro

1

Good shade tree

thifolius

Tamarix aphylla

Athel or tamarisk

1

1

Good windbreak; needs Y

(T. articulata)

pruning

Ulmus parvifolia

Chinese evergreen
elm

2

2

Usually deciduous in this
area; ornamental fruit in
winter; needs pruning

i

[12]

i

row Satisfactorily in Low-elevation Desert Environment (Continued)

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Frost
tolerance

K

>rought

u

I

33

sTistance

«o

CO
J

CO

to

©

CM

s

o

CO

>
o
-o

c

s

M

C

t

a

0Q

a
o

c

3

o

"3

1

ed
>>

0)

-c
c

0)
CO

Ml

c
Q

c
a

o

a

3
a

CO

M

c

'5.

s

3

u
S

3

I

Q

2

6

o

3

m

c
o

a

3
Oh

u

0>

c

H

>>

5

JZ

a

co

>>

u

K

2

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

♦»

2

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

» 2

X

X

X

X

X

1

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

1

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

*

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

y

3

X

X

X

X

X

1

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

(Continued on next page )

[13]

Deciduous trees

List I — Species and Varieties of Plants Kno n^io

Scientific name

Common name

Fre-
quency

Location

Condi-
tion

Remarks * i

Acer species

Maple

4

BIythe

2

Young trees; looks promis-
ing

A ilanthus

Tree of heaven

3

Palm Springs

1

Needs pruning

altissima

A Ibiziajulibrissin

Silk tree

4

Meloland

2

Attractive flowers

Carya illinoensis

Pecan

2

1

Mahan, Burkett, Success
varieties

Calalpa speciosa

Catalpa

3

BIythe, Palm
Springs

1

Good flowers

4

Cotinus coggygria

Smoke tree

4

Holtville

2

Fine tree; will stand lawn
watering

Dalbergia sissoo

Sissoo tree

4

Indio

1

Good foliage
Edible fruit

Ficus carica

Fig

1

1

Fraxinus velutina

Arizona or Modesto
ash

1

1

Fast growing shade tree

Gledilsia tria-

Honey locust

4

Palm Springs

3

Needs pruning 4

canihos

Jacaranda acuti-

Jacaranda

1

2

Blue flowers

folia

Juglans species

Royal hybrid wal-
nut

4

Bard

1

Will stand lawn watering

Madura pomifera

Osage orange

2

Melia azedarach

Chinaberry tree

2

Will stand lawn watering;
needs pruning

Melia azedarach

Texas umbrella tree

1

Dense shade *

umbraculiformis

Morus species

Mulberry

1

*

Kingan fruitless recom^
mended; fruit may be a
nuisance; good for lawn
planting

Pistacia chinensis

Chinese pistache

4

Bard

Colorful fruit; male and fe-
male tree

Plalanus

London plane

4

BIythe, Palm

Good lawn tree

acerifolia

Springs

- \

Platanus

Western sycamore

2

Good lawn tree; stands

racemosa

pruning

Populus alba

White poplar, local-
ly called silver
maple

4

BIythe

Good lawn tree

1

Populus balsam-

Balsam poplar

4

Brawley

Several young trees

ifera

Populus

Carolina poplar

3

BIythe

Will stand lawn watering

canadensis

«

14

row Satisfactorily in Low-elevation Desert Environment (Continued)

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Froat

>■

>rcu'ght
si&ance

to

CO

CO

J

CO

y

o

CO

J

o
©

CO

u

o

>
o

c

09
©

«5

1

a

CO

t

a

a
2

TJ

C
3
O

"3

T3

'I

03

>>

a

o

-v

C

55

c

a
a
O

©

as
H

a

CO

c
'5.

c
§

M

.a
3

c

s

s

3

n

1

-X

03

Q

>>

o

3
5

a

N

e
o
I*

m

Ji
"S.

In

3

a.

o

£

>>

M

o]

'6

0>
CO

1

S3

3

X

X

X

X

X

.3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

-

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

x3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

(Continued on next page )

[15]

List 1 — Specif

is and Varieties of Plants Kn j>wn

Deciduous trees (concluded)

Scientific name

Common name

Fre-
quency

Location

Condi-
tion

Remarks

i

Populus candi-

Balm of Gilead

4

Blythe

1

Windbreak and shade tae

cans

Populus nigra

Lombardy poplar

3

Blythe, Needles

1

Subject to borers; shori

italica

lived

Prunus species

Flowering peach,
almond, apricot,
cherry, plum

2

2

Most flower well only &M

cold winters

•

Prunus cerasifera

Purple-leaved plum

4

Blythe

1

Good lawn tree

pissardii

Robinia pseudo-

Black locust

1

2

Fragrant white flowers,

acacia

good foliage

Salix babylonica

Weeping willow

2

2

Good lawn tree; give <
plenty of water

Salix nigra

Black willow

2

2

Good lawn tree

Ulmus hollandica

Dutch elm

4

Holtville

1

Will stand lawn watering

Ulmus pumila

Siberian elm

1

1

Needs annual pruning

Ziziphus jujuba

Jujube

3

Bard, Needles,
Palm Springs

1

Edible fruit; good lawn ti

Evergreen shrubs

Abelia grandiflora

Abelia

4

Brawley, El

1

V

Centro

Acacia farnesiana

Huisache, sweet
acacia

2

1

•

Buddleja asiatica

White buddleia

4

Needles

1

Fragrant white flowers*

Buddleja davidii

Summer lilac

4

El Centro

1

Lilac to rose-purple flowei

Buddleja mada-

Yellow buddleia

4

Needles

1

Yellow flowers

gascariensis

Callistemon

Bottle brush

4

Blythe

1

-

citrinus

Callistemon

Bottle brush

3

Brawley, El

1

■*

rigidus

Centro

Carissa grandi-

Natal plum

2

1

flora

.

Cassia arlemi-

Wormwood cassia

1

1

Can be pruned low

sioides

Cassia

Nairobi cassia

4

El Centro

1

nairobensis

-

Cassia species

4

Brawley

1

Splendida and other va-
rieties

Cestrum diurnum

Day jessamine

4

Needles

1

Fragrant white flowers

4

•

[16

•row Satisfactorily in

Low-elevatior

Desert Environment (Continued)

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Frost
tolerance

Drought

Y

T

?

S

?

g

s

f

i

1

1

1
A

o

1

1

|

1

1

1

Q

o

1

n

a.

H

1

X

3

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

„

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

3

x

3

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

[17]

(Continued on next page)

FOLD THESE PAGES

DOWN FOR MAP

Evergreen shrubs (continued)

List 1 — Species and Varieties of Plants Known to

Grow Satisfactorily in Low-elevation Desert Environment (Continued)

_

„

Fre-
quency

Location

Condi-

Remarks

Drought

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Frost

1

M

1
1

%

1

u

1

■&

i

z

I

z

s

1

1

1

1

I

0

o

i

i

3

1

I

2?

o

a

1

1

H

1

I

Clinmaelaucium

Geraldton wax-

4

Palm Springs,

Excellent cut flowers

2

X

X

X

X

X

T

X

uneinatum

flower

Thermal

Citrus limon

Meyer lemon

4

Blythe

Good tub plant or hedge;
good fruit

3

X

X

X

X

X

Cocculus lauri-

Snail seed

3

Bard, El Centro,

2

North exposure; good cut

2

X

X

X

X

X

folius

Palm Springs

foliage

Cotoneasler

Cotoneaster

4

Blythe

Red berries in winter

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

pannosa

Dodonaea viscosa

Hop bush

4

Brawley

2

Narrow-leaved form; also
available in purple leaf

2

x

X

x

X

X

X

X

Duranta repcns

Pigeon berry

2

Colorful flowers and fruit

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Elaeagnus

Oleaster

4

Meloland

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

pungens

Eremocitrus

Australian desert

4

Indio

Fruit edible

2

X

X

X

X

X

glauca

kumquat

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Euonymus

Japanese euonymus

2

Green and variegated

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

japonicus

Euunijmus kiaut-

Chinese euonymus

4

Bard

3

X

X

X

X

schovicus {E.

patens (1)

Feijoa sellowiana

Pineapple guava,
Feijoa

2

Edible fruit

2

X

x

X

X

X

Gardenia species

Gardenia

4

Palm Springs

Sheltered locations

3

X

X

X

X

X

Gossypium

Thurber's cotton

4

Bard

Arizona native

2

x

X

x

,\

X

thurberi

Heteromeles

Toyon, Christmas

3

Holtville, Palm

Fine red berries in winter;

2

X

x

X

X

X

X

arbutifalla

berry

Springs

avoid heavy watering

Hibiscus species
Ipomoea crassi-

Hibiscus
Shrub morning

1
3

Holtville

Several species and varie-
ties
Attractive flowers

3
3

X

X

X

x

X

X

x

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

caulis

glory

Jasminum humile

Jasmine

4

Needles

Yellow flowers

3

X

X

X

X

x

X

Lantana camara

Lantana

3

Bard, Blythe,
Needles

Sprouts from roots after
freeze

2

x

X

X

x

X

Lanlana monte-

Lantana.

4

Desert Center

Lavender flowers; trailing

2

X

X

X

X

X

vidensis (L.

sellowiana)

Leucophyllum

Texas ranger

1

Keep on the dry side

2

X

X

X

X

X

~frutescens

(L. lexanum)

higustrumja-

Japanese privet

3

Bard, Needles

Stands heavy watering;

3

X

X

X

X

X

ponicum

good hedge

(Continued on next page )

[1

3]

[19]

MOJAVE AND SONORAN DESERTS OF CALIFORNIA

The low-elevation desert (Sonoran Desert) is shown in white. It con-
sists of the Coachella, Imperial, and Palo Verde valleys, a border strip
northward along the Colorado River, and two extensive southeast-to-
northwest troughs, one an extension of the Palo Verde Valley running
northwestward from Blythe, the other an extension inland past Cadiz and
including Death Valley. These areas are surprisingly uniform in climate

and in native and exotic ornamental flora. They are very different from
the western portion of the Mojave Desert, the ornamental flora of which
will be listed in a later publication.

Average annual precipitation is shown on the small map. Note that the
low-rainfall area (white) on the precipitation map includes the entire low-
elevation desert.

Evergreen shrubs (continued)

List I — Species and Varieties of Plants Known to

Scientific name

Common name

Fre-
quency

Locati

Condi-
tion

Remarks

Ligustrum

lucidum
Ligustrum

ovalifolium
Malvaviscus

arboreus (M.

mollis)
Myrtus communis

Nandina do-

mestica
Nerium oleander

Nicotiana glauca

Pittosporum

tobira
Photinia serru-

lata
Plumbago cap en-
sis
Poinciana

gilliesii
Prunus ilicifolia
Prunus lyonii
Psidium cattlei-

anum
Pyracantha

species
Rhus inlegrifolia
Rosmarinus

officinalis
Sophora secundi-

flora
Spartium

junceum
Stenolobium stam
Tamarix

pentandra
Tamarix

tetrandra
Tetrapanax

papyriferum

Chinese privet
California privet
Turk's cap

Common myrtle

Heavenly bamboo

Oleander

Tree tobacco

Japanese

pittosporum
Japanese photinia

Leadwort

Bird of paradise

bush
Holly-leafed cherry
Catalina cherry
Strawberry guava

Fire thorn, pyra-
cantha
Lemonade berry
Rosemary

Mescalbean

Spanish broom

Yellow bells
Salt cedar

Feathery pink

tamarix
Rice paper plant

B raw ley

Cathedral City

Blythe, Indio,
Needles

Thermal
Palm Springs
Bard

Palm Springs
Blythe

Indio

Blythe, Needles

Brawley, Needles

Indio

Stands heavy watering; can

train to small tree
Stands heavy watering;

good hedge
Will stand heavy watering

Shiny foliage; trimmed as
small tree in Blythe parks
Winter color

Various colored flowers;

foliage poisonous
Weed used effectively as an

ornamental
Shade; green and variegated

Part shade

Attractive blue flowers;

rapid grower
Brilliant red and yellow

flowers

Sheltered location
Edible fruit

Attractive berries; several
species and varieties

Culinary herb

Fragrant purple flowers; can

be trained as small tree
Fragrant yellow flowers

Can be pruned to small tree
Naturalized along streams;
will stand lavyn watering
Will stand lawn watering

[20]

row Satisfactorily in Low-elevation Desert Environment (Continued)

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Frost
tolerance

T3

c

>i«ight
si stance

CO

CO

CO
CO

CO

o

CO

o
o

CO

>
o

3
03

o

M

a

a
co

a
a
o

-a
c

3

&

1

o3

0)

s

CO

s
Q

a
o

00

03

a

CO

M

s
'a

3
11

.3

M

3

s

3

03

Q

>>

03

o

01

3

m

N

3.
o

m

J5

"3.

Il

3
Oh

u

0>

3
0>

H

>>

T3

|H

03

A

a

CO

>>

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

-3

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

J

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

.. 2

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

>2

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

> 2

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

-

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

1

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

1

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

^2

X

X

X

X

X

X

"f

3

X

X

X

X

X

r

(Continued on next page)

[21]

Evergreen shrubs (concluded)

List | — Species and Varieties of Plants Known *c

-*

Scientific name

Common name

Fre-
quency

Location

Condi-
tion

Remarks 4 1

i 1

Thevetia

Yellow oleander

1

1

Good flowers

peruviana (T.

nereifolia)
Viburnum spe-

Viburnum

4

Thermal

1

<• 4

Needs part shade; robustum
and others

cies
Vitex negundo

heierophylla
Wigandia

caracasana

Monks pepper
Wigandia

2
3

Needles, Palm
Springs

1
1

Open lacy effect; nearly de-'
ciduous r

Big leaved soft shrub; blue
flowers

Xylosma

Xylosma

4

Palm Springs

1

senticosa

Deciduous shrubs

.*-.

Cercis reniformis

Texas redbud

4

Bard

1

Red flowers in spring

Chaenomeles la-

Japanese flowering

4

Bard

1

Spiny barrier hedge

genaria (1)

quince

" ^

(Cydoniaja-

ponica)
Elaeagnus

angustifolia
Erythrina crista-

galli
Lagerstroemia

indica

Russian olive

4

Bard

1

Seedlings abundant— can be
nuisance; makes small i. fee

Coral tree

4

Blythe

1

Needs winter protection*,
red flowers

Crapemyrtle

1

1

Flowering shrub or small
tree; smooth bark; takes

lawn watering <

Punica granatum

Pomegranate

1

1

Red flowers and fruit; good
hedge; dwarf form av^'l-
able

Spiraea tricho-

Korean spirea

4

Bard

1

White flowers in clusters v

carpa (1)
Spiraea van-

Bridal wreath

2

3

White flowers in clusters"

houttei
Syringa vulgaris

Lilac

4

Blythe

1

Full shade; will flower after
very cold winter

Vines*

V-

Antigononlep-
topus

Rosa de Montana,
coral vine

1

1

Coral colored flowers; *
sprouts after frost ^ ^

Asparagus

Asparagus fern

4

Needles

1

plumosus

-♦

♦ Nearly all vines can be held low or trained high depending on the support provided.

r 22 1

3W Satisfactorily

in

Low-elevation Desert Environment (Continued)

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Frost
tolerance

-ought
js tance

«0

CO
J

CD
CO

©

00

CN1

o
o

CO

hi

>

o

G
eg

M

c
■5

0>
ft

■8

a
ft
o

c

3

o

"3

T3

6

>i

ft,

4>

C

JH

55

01
ee
(3

0>

Q

c
ft
O

01

u
sJ
ft
02

c

'ft
0>

0>

c

01

o>

60

60

3

a

I

St

6

3
1

c
m

Q

>>

cS

o

01

3

Oi
N
C
O
Ih

ffl

"ft

3
ft)

Oi

3
0>

H

>>

c3

a

0>
02

>>
03

E

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

V

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

X

X

X

X

X

X

*•

2

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

X

2

r

X

X

X

X

X

X

1

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

"3

X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

X

X

(Continued on next page)

[23

Vines (continued)

List I — Species and Varieties of Plants Kncvvvr^to

Scientific name

Common name

Fre-
quency

Location

Condi-
tion

Remarks 4
t

Asparagus

Asparagus fern

3

Blythe, Needles

Low growing

sprengeri

H

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea

1

Many varieties; comes bac1

species

after freeze; evergreen

Camp sis grand:-

Chinese trumpet

4

Bard

Large flowers; deciduous

flora

creeper

Campsis radicans

Common trumpet
vine

2

Orange flowers; deciduous

Clytostoma callis-

Argentine trumpet

4

Palm Springs

Blue flowers; evergreen*

tegioides

vine

Cryptostegia

Rubber vine

4

Bard

Milky juice; evergreen *' i

grandiflora

Doxantha unguis-

Cats claw

4

El Centro, Palm

Yellow flowers; slender;

cati

Springs

evergreen
Wall cover; milky juice

Ficus pumila

Creeping fig

4

Brawley

Hedera helix

English ivy

2

Needs shade and moisture

Ipomoea dissecta

Alamo vine

4

Needles

Dies back in winter

Ipomoea

Common morning

2

Dies back in winter <

purpurea

glory

Jasminum

Jasmine

1

Several species; evergreen

species

Lonicera japonica

Japanese honey-
suckle

2

Fragrant flowers; evergree
Dies back in winter

Lycium halimi-

Matrimony vine

4

Blythe

folium

-♦

Parthenocissus

Virginia creeper

1

Good wall cover; deciduoi

quinquefolia

1

Parthenocissus

Boston ivy

4

Palm Springs

Good wall cover; deciduoi

tricuspidata

<

Passiflora edulis

Passion vine

2

Rapid grower; deciduous;
spray for caterpillars

Phaseolus

Snail vine

4

Palm Springs

A

caracalla

Pithecoctenium

4

Palm Springs

Creamy flowers; evergreen

cynanchoides

Pyroslegia ignea

Goldenshower

2

Bright orange flowers jji
winter; evergreen

Senecio confusus

Climbing senecio

4

Holtville

Orange flowers; evergreete

Tecomaria

Cape honeysuckle

1

Orange flowers; dark fo-

capensis

liage; evergreen ^

Trachelospermum

Star jasmine

2

White flowers; vine or

jasminoides

ground cover; evergree i '

Vinca minor

Periwinkle

4

Needles

Ground cover ,

[2

>4] * <

- i

iof Satisfactorily in Low-elevation Desert Environment (Continued)

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Frost
tolerance

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00

J

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(Continued on next page)

[25]

Vines (concluded)

List I — Species and Varieties of Plants Kr jvto t

Scientific name

Vitis vinifera

Wistaria sinensis Wistaria

Common name

European grape

Fre-
quency

Location

Condi-
tion

Blythe, Holt-
ville

Remarks

Deciduous; needs annu
pruning; Thompson 3ee<
less, Perlette, Dejjgl}
Black Monucca, Ribi<
recommended varie Las

Heavy deciduous vine

Desert native trees and shrubs

-*

A cacia greggii

Cats claw

4

Needles

Evergreen shrub
Green bark; small tree

Cercidium tor-

Palo Verde

1

reyanum

■i

Chilopsis linearis

Desert willow

1

Slender leafed, large shn
or tree; good flowers ^

Dalea spinosa

Smoke tree

3

Cathedral City

Gray spiny shrub or t ree

Encelia farinosa

Incienso

4

Palm Springs

Yellow flowers; evergrc&n
shrub

Eriodictyon

Yerba santa

4

Palm Springs

Lavender flowers; evergre

crassifolium

shrub

Fallugia paradoxa

Apache plume

4

Borego

White flowers; evergreen
shrub ^

Fouquieria

Ocotillo, devil's

3

Blythe, Cathe-

Long spiny stems; red

splendens

coachwhip

dral City

flowers V

Hyptis emoryi

Desert lavender

3

Borego, Palm
Springs

Fragrant lavender flowers
evergreen shrub "♦

Isomeris arborea

Bladder pod

3

Borego, Palm
Springs

Yellow flowers; evergreen!
shrub

Larrea tridentata

Creosote bush

3

Blythe, Cathe-

Large evergreen shrub

(L. divaricata)

dral City,
Needles

<

V

Olneya tesota (1)

Desert ironwood

4

Bard

Small spreading tree; hare
wood ^

Populusfremontii

Valley Cottonwood

1

Male tree is without cottc
good windbreak ¥2 \

Prosopis glandu-

Mesquite

1

Large evergreen shrub

losa (P.juli-

tree; yellow flower*

flora)

Prosopis

Screwbean mesquite

4

Bard

Evergreen shrub or tree':

pubescens

curled pods

Quercus tur-

Scrub oak

4

Palm Springs

Evergreen shrub

binella

"7 i

Rhus ovata

Sugar bush

3

Indio, Palm
Springs

Attractive small tree or
shrub *

Washingtonia

California fan palm

1

filifera

i*

Yucca brevifolia

Joshua tree

4

Needles

Specimen plant

i 1 '

-1 i '

Satisfactorily in Low-elevation Desert Environment (Continued)

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Frost
tolerance

It

■s

ce

CO

CO

co

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(Concluded on next page )

List 1 — Species and Varieties of Plants Knov^.M

Miscellaneous

-4

Scientific name

Common name

Fre-
quency

Location

Condi-
tion

Remarks f 4
i

.1 canthus mollis

Acanthus

4

B raw ley

2

Shade; perennial

A maranthus tri-

Joseph's coat

2

Borders; variegated folmg

color

annual 4 4

Aptenia cordifolia

Dew plant

4

Needles

Succulent pot plant; groin
cover ;(

A rundo don ax

Giant reed

1

Temporary windbreak; I J
ennial; variegated forflft

Aster species

Perennial asters

4

Thermal

Needs shade

Carina species

Canna

1

Bedding plant; perennia*!

Clerodendrum

Hose glory-bower

4

Bard

Evergreen; perennial; ros

bungei

red flowers

Corladeria

Pampas grass

1

Plume-like heads; peren^ni

selloana

Cycas revoluta

Segopalm

4

Cathedral City

Specimen plant r

Cyperus alterni-

Umbrella plant

3

Blythe, Holtville,

Plant near or in pools

folius

Needles

-*

Dichondra re pens

Dichondra

4

Bard

Ground cover for shade
only; perennial

Euphorbia hctero-

Mexican fire-plant

2

Borders; perennial

phylla

Ficus elastica

Rubber plant

4

Cathedral City,

Protected container plant-
ings

Palm Springs

Hedychium spe-

Ginger

4

Palm Springs

Needs wind protection^).'

cies

shade

Lobelia laxiflora

4

Needles

Perennial; may be usee* as
ground cover

Mentha piperita

Peppermint

4

Bard

Shade and moisture; "pert
nial

Musa species

Banana

3

Desert City, El
Centro, Palm
Springs

Needs wind protection;
perennial v

Pennisetum

Fountain grass

4

Holtville

Purplish flower-head; p«r(

ruppelii

nial

Phyla nodi flora

( Ireeping lippia

4

Bard

Flowering ground cover; i

(Lippia repens)

perennial

Phyllostachys

Yellow bamboo

3

El Centro,

Slender stems; variegated

aurea

Needles, Palm
Springs

leaves; perennial

Phyllostachys

Giant bamboo

4

Bard

Heavy stems; perennial

bambusoides

i

Iiicinus

Castor bean

1

Various leaf colors; ^crc

corn munis

nial; seeds are poisonc

Rosa species

Hoses

1

Bush and climbers; ma^ryS
varieties

Vinca rosea

Periwinkle

1

Perennial ^,

ow Satisfactorily in Low-elevation Desert Environment (Concluded)

Height

Growth habit

Foliage color

Frost
tolerance

/ought
isfTance

CD

CO

5D
CO

o

y

o
1
o

CO

CD
O

c

03
O

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u

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etil

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X

X

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X

X

X

X

X

3

X

X

X

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-3

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

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3

X

X

X

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X

X

X

X

X

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2

X

X

X

X

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3

X

X

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X

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3

X

X

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3

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,3

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X

X

X

X

f3

X

X

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r3

X

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*

X

X

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X

X

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X

X

X

X

4

X

X

X

i-3

X

X

X

X

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3

X

X

X

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rt 2

X

X

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X

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X

X

X

X

X

X

► 3

X

X

X

X

X

LIST I! — Plants Reliably Reported to Grow in
Low-elevation Desert Areas of California

CONIFEROUS TREES AND SHRUBS

Scientific Name
Cupressus forbesii (4)
Juniperus deppeana pachyphloea (4)
Pinus sabiniana (5)

PALMS

Erythea arm-ata (4)

EVERGREEN TREES

Acacia melanoxylon (3)
Eucalyptus crebra (3)
Pithecellobium dulcc (4)
Pittosporum phillyraeoides (4)

Common Name

Tecate, or Forbes cypress
Silver alligator juniper
Digger pine

Mexican blue palm

Blackwood acacia
Narrow-leaved iron bark
Manila tamarind
Weeping pittosporum

DECIDUOUS TREES

Acer negundo (1)
Celtis australis (1)
Koelreuteria paniculata (3)
Malus floribunda (5)
Salix laevigata (3)
Sophora japonica (1)

Box-elder
Hackberry
Goldenrain tree
Flowering crabapple
Eed willow
Japanese pagoda tree

•

EVERGREEN SHRUBS OR SMALL TREES

Acacia armata (3)

Acacia cultriformis (4)

Acacia latifolia (5)

Acacia longifolia (3)

Acacia podalyriae folia (4)

Adenocarpus viscosus (1)

Camellia species (5)

Cistus species (1,4)

Coprosma baueri (5)

Cotoneaster lactea (5)

Cytisus species (1,2,3)

Diosma ericoides (1)

Erica canaliculata (1)

Eucalyptus globulus compacta (5)

Fremontia mexicana (3)

Genista species (1)

Hakca species (1)

Ilex cornuta (5)

Ilex cornuta burfordii (5)

Jasminum sambac (1)

Lavandula officinalis (1)

(L. spica)
Lavatera assurgentiflora (3)
Leonotis leonurus (1)
MaJwnia nevinii (1)
Malvastrum capense (1)
Phillyrea latifolia (1)
Pyrus Tcawalcamii (5)
Santolina chamaecyparissus (1)
Teucrium species (1)
Viburnum opulus nanum (3)

Kangaroo thorn

Knife acacia

Acacia

Sydney golden wattle

Pearl acacia

Sticky flatpod

Camellia

Rock rose

Mirror plant

Cotoneaster

Broom

Breath of heaven

Heather

Dwarf blue gum

Mexican fremontia

Broom

Hakea

Chinese holly

Burford holly

Arabian jasmine

Lavender

Tree mallow
Lions ear
Nevins mahonia
Cape mallow
Tree phillyrea
Evergreen pear
Lavender-cotton
Germander
Snowball

[30

«
<•

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Prunus glandulosa (1)
Rhamnus species (1)
Robinia hispida (1)

VINES

Colony ction species (3)

Cardiospermum halicacabum (3)

Dolichos lignosus (1)

Lathy rus latifolius (3)

Lathy rus odoratus (3)

MuehlenbecTcia complexa (1)

Phaseolus coccineus (3)

Pueraria thunbergiana (P. hirsuta) (1)

Quamoclit pennata (3)

Thunbergia species (3)

Tropaeolum peregrinum (3)

Ftfo's arizonica (3)

Flowering almond
Coffee berry
Rose acacia

Moonflower
Balloon vine
Australian pea
Perennial sweet pea
Sweet pea (annual)
Wire vine

Scarlet runner (annual")
Kudzu vine
Cypress vine (annual)
Clock vine (annual)
Canarybird vine
Canyon grape

LIST III — Plant Materials Suggested for Experimental
Trial in Low-elevation Desert Areas

CONIFEROUS TREES AND SHRUBS

Scientific Name Common Name

Callitris calcarata (6)
Callitris robusta (6)
Juniperus procera africana (6)
Libooedrus decurrens

Black cypress-pine
White cypress-pine
Dwarf African juniper
Incense cedar

EVERGREEN TREES

Acacia decurrens mollis (6)
Brachy chiton rupestris (6)
Cassia brewsteri (6)
Celtis sinensis
Eucalyptus lehmannii (6)
Eucalyptus leucoxylon rosea (6)
Eucalyptus melliodora (6)
Eucalyptus platypus
Eucalyptus populifolia (6)
Geij'era par vi flora
Gyrostemon cotinifolius (6)
Melaleuca styphelioides (6)
Phytolacca dioica
Stenochilus longifolius (6)

Black wattle

Bottle tree

Cigar cassia

Chinese hackberry

Bushy yate

Pink-flowered whitewood

Yellow box

Kound-leaf moort

Bimble box

Wilga

Bell-fruit tree

Prickly paperbark

Umbu tree

Berrigen

DECIDUOUS TREES

Albizia lebbeck
Broussonetia papyrifera
Zelkova serrata

Womans-tongue
Paper mulberry
Japanese zelkova

Acacia accola (6)
Acacia acinacea (6)
Acacia aneura (6)
Acacia bynoeana (6)
Acacia calami folia (6)
Acacia drummondii (6)
Acacia myrti folia (6)

EVERGREEN SHRUBS OR SMALL TREES

Golden glory wattle
Gold-dust wattle
Mulga

Dwarf nealie
Wallowa

Drummond wattle
Myrtle wattle

[31]

Scientific Name
Acacia pubescens (6)
Acacia salicina (6)
Acacia spectabilis (G)
Adenocarpus foliosus
Albizia distachya (A. lophantha) (G)
Aleurites fordii (6)
Angophora cor di folia (6)
Anisacanthus wrightii (8)
Artemisia abrotannm (8)
Atriplex species
BaecMa ramosissima (6)
BaecMa virgata (G)
Banlcsia crici folia (G)
Banlcsia marginata (G)
Banksia ornata (G)
Banlcsia scrrata (G)
Berberis sargentiana (G)
Brachysema lanceolatum (G)
Buddie ja salvifolia (G)
Calliandra eriophylla
Callicarpa species (8)
Callistemon braeliyandros ((5)
Callistemon phocniceus (G)
Callistemon salignus (G)
Callistemon speeio.sus (G)
Callistemon teretifolius (6)
Caloeephalus brownii (6)
Calothamniis gilesii (G)
Calothamnus quadrifidus (G)
Calotham7iiis villosus (G)
Cantua buxi folia (G)
Cassia corymb osa (7)
Cassia didymobotrya (7)
Cassia eremophila ((5)
Cassia laevigata (G)
Cassia sturtii (G)
Cassia tomentosa (G)
Ceanothus edwardsii (G)
Cestrum species (7)
Cienfugosia hakeaefolia (G)
Coprosma retusa (G)
Cotoneaster acutifolia (8)
Cotoneaster divaricata (8)
Cotoneaster glaueophylla serotina (G)
Cotoneaster mierophylla (G)
Cotoneaster mult i flora (8)
Crotalaria agatiftora (7)
Cuphea micropetala (7)
Cowania stansburiana (8)
Dalea species (8)
Dampiera rosmarini folia (G)
Dryandra mueronulata (G)
Eehium fastuosum (7)
E chiu m virescens (G)
Eremopliila maclclinlayi
Eremophila oppositi folia ((5)
Erica lusitanica (G)
7tr('rrt meditcrranea (6)
Eriostemon myoporoides (G)
Eriostemon obovalis (6)

[32

Common Name
Downy wattle
Willow wattle
Mudgee wattle
Canary Island lupine
Cape wattle
Tung oil tree
Dwarf apple-myrtle
Wright anisacanth
Oldman wormwood
Saltbush

Rosy heath-myrtle
Twiggy heath-myrtle
Heath banksia
Silver banksia
Desert banksia
Saw banksia
Sargent barberry
Swan River pea-bush
Winter buddleia
Hairy-leaved calliandra
Reautyberries
Prickly bottle-brush
Fiery bottle-brush
Willow bottle-brush
Showy bottle-brush
Bearded bottle-brush
Cushion bush
Giles net-bush
Crimson-cluster net-bush
Woolly net-bush
Flower of the Incas

Desert cassia
Smooth cassia
Dense cassia
Woolly cassia
Edward ceanothus

Red-throat hibiscus
Looking-glass plant
Peking cotoneaster
Spreading cotoneaster
Late cotoneaster
Rockspray cotoneaster
Multiflora cotoneaster
Canary bird bush
Cigar bush
Cliffrose
Dalea

Rosemary dampiera
Swordfish dryandra
Pride-of -Madeira
Madeira vipers bugloss
Desert pride
Twin-leaf emu bush
Spanish heath
Biscay heath
Long-leaf waxflower
Fairy waxflower

Scientific Name
Escallonia macrantha (7)
Eucalyptus ~burdettiana (6)
Eucalyptus calycogona (6)
Eucalyptus concinna (6)
Eucalyptus crucis (6)
Eucalyptus desmondensis (6)
Eucalyptus dumosa angulosa
Eucalyptus eremophila (6)
Eucalyptus erythrocorys (6)
Eucalyptus forrestiana (6)
Eucalyptus grossa (6)
Eucalyptus Tcruseana (6)
Eucalyptus lansdowniana (6)
Eucalyptus mitrata (6)
Eucalyptus nutans (6)
Eucalyptus oldfieldii (6)
Eucalyptus preissiana (6)
Eucalyptus pyriformis (6)
Eucalyptus steedmanii (6)
Eucalyptus stricTclandii (6)
Eucalyptus tetraptera (6)
Eucalyptus torquata (6)
Eucalyptus viridis (6)
Eutaxia microphylla (6)
Forest leva neo-mexicana (8)
Fuchsia species (6)
Gompholobium huegelii (6)
Gompholobium latifolium (6)
Goodia loti folia (6)
Grevillea alpestris (6)
Grevillea alpina (6)
Grevillea aquifolia (6)
Grevillea liookeriana (6)
Grevillea ilicifolia (G)
Grevillea lavandulacea (G)
Grevillea macrostylis (6)
Grevillea pterosperma (6)
Grevillea rosmarinifolia (6)
Grevillea thelemanniana (G)
Grevillea wilsonii (6)
Hakea cucullata (6)
HaTcea elliptica (6)
Halcea sulcata (6)
HaTcea undulata (6)
Halcea vittata (6)
Halimium species (6)
Hardenbergia monophylla fruticosa (6)
IZefce salicifolia (6)
iZe&e salicifolia variegata (6)
Helichry sum cor datum (6)
Helichrysum elatum (6)
Helichry sum thyrsoideum (G)
Hibbertia linearis (6)
Hibbertia sericea (6)
Hovea celsii (H. elliptica) (6)
Hovea longi folia lanceolata (6)
Hypericum calycinum (6)
Indigophora australis (6)
Iochroma tubulosum (7)
Isopogon roseus (6)

[33]

Common Name

Burdette gum
Red mallee

Victoria desert mallee
Silver mallee
Desmond mallee
Congoo mallee
Tall sand mallee
Red-cap gum
Forrest marlock
Phillips river gum
Kruse mallee
Crimson mallee box
Mitre gum
Nodding gum
Oldfield gum
Bell-fruit mallee
Ooldea mallee
Steedman gum
Strickland gum
Four-wing gum
Coolgardie gum
Green mallee
Small-leaf eutaxia
New Mexican forestiera
Fuchsia
Pale wedge-pea
Broad wedge-pea
Goldentip
Goldfields grevillea
Mountain grevillea
Prickly grevillea
Toothbrush grevillea
Holly grevillea
Lavender grevillea
Mount Barren grevillea
Desert grevillea
Rosemary grevillea
Spider-net grevillea
Wilson grevillea
King hakea
Oval-leaf hakea
Furrowed hakea
Wavy-leaf hakea
Striped hakea

Shrubby coral pea
Willow-leaf Hebe
Variegated willow-leaf Hebe
Heart-leaf everlasting
Tall everlasting
Cascade everlasting
Showy guinea flower
Silky guinea flower
Oval-leaf hovea
Lance-leaf hovea

Australian indigo

Rose eonebush

Scientific Name
JacJcsonia floribunda (6)
Kunzea ambigua (6)
Kunzea parvi folia (6)
Lambertia formosa (6)
Lasiopetalum behrii (6)
Leptospermum rotundifolium (6)
Leptospermum scoparium (6,7)
Lespedeza bicolor (8)
Leucopogon biflorus (6)
Leucopogon virgatus (6)
Lissanthe strigosa (6)
Melaleuca decussata (6)
Melaleuca elliptica (6)
Melaleuca fulgens (6)
Melaleuca hyperici folia (6)
Melaleuca lateritia (6)
Melaleuca longicoma (6)
Melaleuca nesophila (6)
Melaleuca nodosa (6)
Melaleuca radula (6)
Melaleuca scabra (6)
Melaleuca steedmanii (6)
Melaleuca thymifolia (6)
Melaleuca wilsonii (6)
Melianthus major (6)
Micromyrtus ciliatus (6)
Myoporum debile (6)
Myoporum desertii (6)
Myoporum montqnum (6)
Nitraria schoberi (6)
Olearia myrsinoides (6)
PerovsTcia atriplici folia (8)
Persoonia juniperina (6)
Persoonia linearis (6)
Phebalium stenophyllum (6)
Pholidia gibbi folia (6)
Pimelea axi flora (6)
Pimelea flava (6)
Pimelea octophylla (6)
Pimelea rosea (6)
Pimelea spectabilis (6)
Pittosporum crassifolium (6)
Podalyria sericea (6)
Polygala apopetala
Poly gala my rti folia (6)
Pomaderris lanigera (6)
Prostanthera aspalathoides (6)
Prostanthera nivea (6)
Prostanthera ovalifolia (6)
Pultenaea daphnoides (6)
Pultenaea scabra (6)
Bhamnus alaternus (6)
ii!/iMS microphylla (8)
Rpyena lucida (6)
Salvia ballotae flora (8)
Salvia microphylla (s. grahamii) (6)
Salvia greggii (8)
Scholtzia oligandra (6)
Solanum pseudo-capsicum (6)
Spyridium parvifolium (6)

Common Name
Holly pea
White kunzea
Crimson kunzea
Port Jackson honey-flower
Pink velvet bush
Round-leaf tea tree
Tea tree
Shrub lespedeza
Twin-flower beard-heath
Common beard-heath
Peach-heath
Cross honey-myrtle
Granite honey-myrtle
Scarlet honey-myrtle
Hillock bush
Robin redbreast bush
Long-claw paperbark
Western tea-myrtle
Jointed honey-myrtle
Graceful honey-myrtle
Rough honey-myrtle
Steedman honey-myrtle
Thyme honey-myrtle
Wilson honey-myrtle
Large honey-flower
Fringed heath-myrtle
Amulla
Turkey bush
Water bush
Nitre bush
Silky daisy-bush
Russian-sage perovskia
Prickly geebung
Narrow-leaf geebung
Narrow-leaf phebalium
Scaled emu bush
Tough rice-flower
Yellow rice-flower
Downy rice-flower
Pink rice-flower
Banjine rice-flower
Silver karo
Silky podalyria

Myrtle-leaf milkwort
Woolly pomaderris
Scarlet mint-bush
Snowy mint-bush
Oval-leaf mint-bush
Large-leaf bush-pea
Rough bush-pea
European rhamnus
Little-leaf sumac
Shiny royena
Shrubby blue sage
Graham sage
Autumn sage
Pink scholtzia
Jerusalem cherry
Australian dusty miller

[34]

Scientific Name
Stenochilus gldber (6)
Stenochilus maculatus (6)
Stranvaesia davidiana (6)
Styphelia adscendens (6)
Swainsona galegifolia (6)
Swainsona grey ana (6)
Swainsona procumbens (6)
Tamarix hispida (8)
Templetonia retusa (6)
Tetratheca ciliata (6)
Tetratheca pilosa (6)
Teucrium chamaedrys (8)
Thevctia thevetioides
Thryptomcne calycina (6)
£7<77ii molinae (6)
Vauquelinia calif ornica (8)
Zieria aspalathoides (6)
Zieria veronicea (6)

Common Name
Dwarf emu bush
Spotted emu bush
Low stranvaesia
Golden heath
Goatsrue Swainson pea
Darling pea
Pretty Swainson pea
Kashgar tamarix
Red templetonia
Pinkeye
Hairy pinkeye
Chamaedrys germander
Large-flowered thevetia
Bushy thryptomene
Chile guava
Arizona rosewood
Heath zieria
Pink zieria

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Scientific Name
Berberis aggregata (6)
Berberis rubrostilla (6)
Berberis wilsoniae (6)
Caryopteris incana (8)
Colutea arboreseens (6,8)
Colutea cilicica (8)
Fontanesia fortunei (8)
Rhamnus frangula (8)

Common Name
Salmon barberry
Scarlet bead barberry
Wilson barberry
Common bluebeard
Bladder senna
Bladder senna
Fortune fontanesia
Glossy buckthorn

VINES

Hardenbergia violacea (H. monophylla) (6)

Kennedy a nigricans (6)

Kennedya rubicunda (6)

Pandorea pandorana (6)

Pandorea jasminioides (6)

Passi flora manicata (6)

Passi flora mollissima (6)

Podranea brycei (7)

Podranea ricasoliana (6)

Senecio tamoides (7)

Solanum jasminoides (7)

Sollya fusiformis (S. heterophylla) (6)

Purple coral-pea
Black coral-pea
Dusky coral-pea
Wonga vine
Bower-of -beauty
Red passion-flower
Banana passion-fruit
Zimbabwe creeper
Pink tecoma
Canary creeper
White potato vine
Bluebell creeper

MISCELLANEOUS

Chrysanthemum frutescens (6)
Cordyline stricta (6)
Doryanthes excelsa (6)
Doryanthes palmeri (6)
Euphorbia biglandulosa
Euphorbia wulfenii (6)
Felicia angustifolia (6)
Helichrysum cor datum (6)
Limonium diclcsonii (6)
Phlomis fruticosa (6)
Ruscus aculeatus (6)

Marguerite
Erect palm lily
Globe spear lily
Palmer spear lily

Wulf en spurge
Lilac felicia
Heartleaf everlasting
Pink statice
Jerusalem sage
Butcher's broom

[35]

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This survey has been greatly benefited by the interested cooperation of nursery-
men, staff members at the United States Experimental Date Gardens, Indio, Univer-
sity of California and staff members at Meloland Field Station, and residents of the
areas involved.

Special acknowledgments are due to the following staff members of the University
of California for assistance in preparation of various sections: Dr. F. A. Brooks,
Agricultural Engineering, Davis; Professor M. R. Huberty, Irrigation and Soils, Los
Angeles; Dr. Harlan Lewis, Botany, Los Angeles; and Dr. V. T. Stoutemyer, Flori-
culture and Ornamental Horticulture, Los Angeles.

10m-2,'()l (BG224)WP