S0LA1JACEAE 



not adaptable to the wide range in which L. pallid um is found and 

 is not particularly good as an erosion control plant. We have 

 beautiful bushes growing on the nursery at Tucson and these supply 

 us with more seed than we require. Perhaps a more careful study 

 should be made of other southwestern species of which we have sev- 

 eral in southern New Mexico and Arizona. It is possible too that 

 strains can be developed which will produce fruit of desirable size 

 and flavor. 



*Lycium pall i dum , Pale Wolf berry. While there are other 

 Lyciums the fruits of which are used to some extent by the Indians 

 and by birds, this is the most outstanding as a soil erosion plant. 

 It forms thickets on mounds and on bottom lands and since it has a 

 vast system of horizontal roots it is a good soil binder. It is 

 browsed by sheep and goats. The association of this with old Aztec 

 ruins has led to the belief that the Aztec either cultivated it or 

 used it extensively and scattered the seeds about their dwellings. 

 ThQ plants are found almost throughout the southwest at altitudes 

 i rom 3,000 to 6,000 feet. It is much more abundant, however, in 

 the Navajo country and in southern Utah than elsewhere. Up to 193^ 

 it had not been planted in the nursery. 



SCROPHDLARIACEAB 



Ant irrhinum antirrhinif lorum and Maurandia wislizeni are 



herbaceous perennial vines with handsome blue flowers and small 

 *■ « 



triangular arrow-shaped leaves. The normal range is western Texas, 

 southern New Mexico and Mexico. A. antirrhini f lorum extends into 

 southern Arizona also. These plants may have little value for 

 erosion control but both are worthy of use as ornamentals and may 

 become of importance as windbreaks in association with brush. They 

 are extremely drought resistant. 



BIGN0NIACSAE 



* Chilopsis linea ris , the Desert Willow, can be compared to 

 the Catalpa as the flowers are very similar and the two belong to 

 the same family. This species is being more generally used for 

 revegetation and erosion control work than most any plant outside 

 of the true willows and cottonwoods. Along our desert washes and 

 draws it forms natural thickets which quite effectively hold soil 

 and boulders. This tree is well worthy of more serious attention. 

 Under cultivation it grows rapidly and should with proper pruning, 

 make a tree of sufficient size for a good post or even two posts. 

 After being cut it sprouts vigorously. The wood takes a satiny 

 finish, has a pleasant odor and is very durable. In nursery prac- 

 tice it is best to use seed, as they germinate readily. Cuttings 

 are also very satisfactory. 



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