CAS3IACEAE 



Caesalrcinia srilliesii or Bird of Paradise, is a tall shrub 



i h — * 



with bip innate leaves, very fine leaflets and large showy yellow 

 flower:-.. It was introduced in the southwest at a very early date , 

 as an ornamental and has escaped fro:: cultivation in many locali- 

 ties. Along rocky arroyos in the foothills it probably has some 

 erosion control value. It is, however, valueless as forage and be- 

 cause of its disagreeable odor, not too desirable as an ornamental. 



Cassia wislizonii. This is totally unlike the common Cassia 

 of the southwest. It is a spreading bush with small dark green 

 leaflets and large fragrant yellow flowers. It is confined to a 

 narrow belt in southwestern Hew Mexico and southeastern Arizona within 

 the United States but extends into Mexico. This should be used ex- 

 tensively as an ornamental in the warmer parts of our range. It is 

 almost valueless for erosion control or for forage. 



Cassia coves ii Is a low gray herbaceous perennial with rather 

 largo leaflets and yellow flowers. It is very common in southern 

 Now Mexico and southern Arizona in the foothills. It is of little 

 value for erosion control and none for forage, and among other things 

 lias a very offensive odor. Closely related to this are C. li ndheimcri , 

 and C. roemcriana and C, bauhinioides, scattered near the Mexican 

 border in Texas, Hew Mexico and Arizona. 



Cassia loptoc a rp a is a rather tall bush-like herbaceous per- 

 ennial with coarse green leave,:, pointed leaflets and very long, 

 squarish pods. It has an offensive odor and is of no forage value. 

 It is sufficiently abundant, however, to be a fair soil binder. It 

 ranges from western Texas, southern Arizona end southern New Mexico, 

 south to South America. 



It Is highly probable that all of these Cassias are important 

 bird food plants as they produce large amounts of small pea-like 

 seeds . 



Chamaecrista nictitans, Partridge Pea, is a sensitive plant 

 which has an extremely wide distribution as a weed. It occupies 

 waste places and over-grazed, areas. Being a slender, short-lived 

 annual with very small roofs, it has but little value as an erosion 

 control plant although it may prove to be worthwhile as a quick pea 

 crop and as a nurse plant for grasses or other perennials. It can 

 readily be recognized by its yellow flowers and distinctly sensitive 

 leaves. 



* Ch amae or i s t a wrightii is a perennial with a hard wood" root 

 and herbaceous toe. It is sufficiently abundant in places to be a 

 re. A factor in erosion control, and apparently it is a much better 



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