PAPILIOITACEAE 



Each root produces numerous long, lax stems with abundant leaves. 

 It has short spikes of white flowers. Its spreading habit and per- 

 ennial roots make it a desirable erosion control plant. It must 

 also be considered excellent for forage and wildlife. It produces 

 an abundance of small peas, 



Desma nthus illinoiensis is not uncommon as a weed in some 

 parts of the southwest. In general habit it closely resembles wild 

 licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepi toda) , forming as it does dense stands of 

 erect stems and numerous horizontal roots. It, however, has clusters 

 of smooth curved pods instead of the burs produced by the licorice. 

 The loaves of D. illino iens is arc very fine and arc bip innate. Ho 

 work has boon done to prove the value of this plant for erosion 

 control. It doubtless requires sites which receive some overflow 

 during the summer but the root system is excellent and the fact that 

 the plant is a weed, though not a bad one, should not preclude its 

 use at least on some demon strati on areas. It produces an abundance 

 of small peas which suggest it for wildlife. Its forage value is 

 low. 



* Desmanthus janes ii is a small, almost prostrate plant with 

 a woody base and fine bip innate leaves. It has clusters of rather 

 long, somewhat curved pods and grows on very dry, rocky sites in the 

 foothills in the southwest. It is fair forage and doubtless excel- 

 lent for wildlife, such as quail. The field worker is likely, if 

 not careful, to confuse this with Cal lian dra eriophylla. The latter, 

 however, is a true shrub and 1ms purple flowers with very long 

 exserted stamens contrasted to the yellowish flowers with rather 

 short stamens of D. jane si i. 



♦Desmanthus virgatum was discovered recently in southern 

 Arizona and southern JTew kexicc. It doubtless is not uncommon in 

 northern Mexico. In general habit that from southern Arizona 

 resembles D. illinoiensis but is much taller, often being four or 

 five feet high and much more showy. The specimen from southern New 

 Mexico grew in a very dry site and was almost decumbent. The bi- 

 p innate leaves are large in outline but the leaflets are very 

 small. It has a good root system, evidently is oaten by stock and 

 must supply abundant: peas for bird food. It may prove to be a 

 worthwhile plant on the range in warn situations. 



GEEAEIACEAE 



*Er odium cicutar ium , Alfilaree, is am exotic which has become 

 thoroughly naturalized and has made a very desirable citizen. It 

 has spread- into out-of-the-way places almost throughout the south- 

 west and when there is a reasonable amount of rainfall during the 

 winter it produces abundant forage. Two or three other species of 



