ZYGOPHYLLACEAE 



The Creosote Bush is unpalatable and a very poor erosion control 

 plant. The leaves of the plant have been used medicinally by the 

 Indians and attempts have been wade in the past to commercialize 

 it as a medicinal plant. The leaves are rich in resins and oils 

 and attempts to analyze it by destructive distillation have result- 

 ed in rather serious poisoning to the men conducting the work. If 

 the plant were loss common it would be highly prized as an orna- 

 mental as the leaves arc dark, shiny green and the flowers are a 

 showy yellow. One of the pleasant memories for the traveler in the 

 southwest is the odor of creosote after a shower. 



Peganum harm.ulu.rn, African Rue, is a low spreading shrub with 

 an abundance of fleshy narrow green leaves which are unpalatable to 

 livestock. The plant was introduced from Asia into the valley east 

 of Doming, New Mexico some years ago and has spread over considerable 

 area since that time. It lias a root system which grows a fraction 

 of the distance between here and China. It seems likely that the 

 plant is one which should be eradicated. In valleys of the type of 

 that around Doming it is a serious competitor of the more palatable 

 shrubs such as Chamiza, and it seems likely that the extremely deeply- 

 bedded roots will eventually cause a serious depiction of the lower 

 ground water. The plant has practically no superficial roots and 

 for that reason is not an ideal erosion control plant and since it 

 is unpalatable and seems to be an ideal pest, not only should It not 

 bo distributed but it should be eradicated if possible. 



SIFA.RU3ACEAE 



Holacantha omoryi, one of our Crucifixion Thorns, is one to 

 which the term seems most applicable. The bushes or small trees 

 are not only all thorns but the thorns are stiff and point in all 

 directions. In the United States it is confined to a small portion 

 of Maricopa, Pima end. Pinal Counties in Arizona. It lias been 

 reported doubtfully from Mexico. Though it is usually a small tree 

 with a distinct trunk it frequently forms thickets which collect 

 wind-blown dirt end tend to form dunes. These are usually a harbor 

 for some plants which do not thrive under our intensive civilization 

 with its attendant land abuse. It is of little value as an erosion 

 control plant. 



Ai lant hus glandulosa or Tree of Heaven, is an exotic from 

 China, which has been planted practically all over the United States. 

 The fact that it produces wood unsuited for use as posts, lumber 

 or even firewood, and sometimes becomes a weed, has put this tree 

 i?i an unfavorable light with most of tho Soil Conservation people. 

 The tree, however, has its favorable points, among them drought 

 resistance, ability to seed itself in an area and form thickets 

 which are good soil binders and which supply abundant shade for 



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