Lll-E ZONES 11 



have the following named zones in New Mexico, with lists 

 of some of their most characteristic plants, by which they 

 may be recognized. 



1, Lower Sonoran Zone. This covers the lower 

 plains and mesas and the larger river valleys of the southern 

 third of the State. Characteristic woody plants are the 

 Creosote Bush (Cozillea gliitinosa) (often mistakenly called 

 Greasewood), the Spanish Bayonet or Dagger {Yucca 

 iiiacrocarpa) .Zizypluis lycioidcs, Condalia spathiilata, Tornillo 

 or Screw Bean (Strombucarpa puhescois), Acacia constrlcta, 

 Acacia grcggii. Desert Willow {Chilopsis linearis) and Valley 

 Cottonwood (Popiiliis zi'lsliccni). On the mesas Black Grama 

 {Boufcloua criopoda). Tobosa Grass (Hilaria niutica). False 

 Needlegrass (Sclcropogou hrcvifoliiis), Mesquite Grass 

 (Muhlenbcrgia portcri) and several of the true needle 

 grasses (Aristida spp. ) are characteristic, while in the valleys 

 Salt-grass (Distichlis spicata) and Bunch grass (Sporobolus 

 air aides) are common, especially in alkaline soils. A number 

 of species of Cacti are also common. This zone is dry all the 

 time and hot in the summer time. The average precipitation 

 is 8 or 9 inche.-; and the maximum summer temperature is 

 from 100' to 106^ F. 



2. Upper Sonoran Zone. This zone covers the 

 plains and wooded foothills of the mountains and follows 

 back up the watercourses in the mountains into the timbered 

 area. Its separation from the zone below is not well marked. 

 The characteristic woody plants are the Pinyon (Pintis 

 edtilis), the Alligator-bark Juniper (Sabina pachyphloea) 

 the Cedars or Sabinas {Sabina inonospcnna and 5. utahcnsis) 

 several of the evergreen Oaks (Qucrcus arizonica, Q. grisca, 

 Q. cmoryi, Q. Iiypolcnca), Mountain Mahogany (Cerocarpus 

 paucidcntatits), Algerita (Odosfemon haciuafocarpa). Wild 

 Grape (Vifis ariconica). Choke Cherry (Padiis spp.), the 

 Sycamore (Platamts zvrightii), several Will< ws (Salix spp.). 

 the Alder (/ilniis oblongifolia) , the Ifackberry {Celtis 



