PLANTAG INAC3AE 



that this plant can bo overgrazed as areas in the Paradise Valley 

 north of Phoenix, Arizona, which produced solid stands in previous 

 years, produced sparingly this year after a few seasons of heavy 

 grazing by sheep. The Indian wheat itself is an evidence of over- 

 use of the range. 



Mr. H. C. Gambee of the Phoenix Union High School attempted 

 in 1936 to collect and market Indian Wheat as psylla. While the 

 seed proved of high grade judged by the amount of .jell produced, 

 he found himself unable to market his product in competition with 

 seed producers in foreign countries. It is possible, however, that 

 selections of good strains and irrigation and cultivation, may pro- 

 duce plants, the seeds of which can be harvested more inexpensively, 

 and cleaner seeds produced. It is doubtful, however, whether the 

 blonde seeds as produced by this and related species, can ever suc- 

 cessfully compete with the black psylla. 



Results in the nursery with Indian V.heat have been quite 

 discouraging. Indications are that the seed should be planted the 

 same season it is collected and not stored for use one or two sea- 

 sons after collection. 



These plants produce a close ground cover but it lasts but 

 a short time and has very little effect on erosion. As a nurse 

 crop, however, it is probably good. 



RUBIACEAE 



Bouvardia ternifolia, a very showy shrub at blossoming time, 

 is confined in our range according to Standi ey, to western Texas, 

 extending from there to Sonora and far south in Mexico. It is 

 highly probable that it occurs in southern New Mexico and Arizona. 

 It has bright red tubular flowers and quite dark green leaves. The 

 plant has been extensively used in Mexico medicinally. As an ero- 

 sion control plant it has distinct possibilities as it is a good 

 soil binder, often growing quite thicket-like in dry washes in the 

 oak belt. It is doubtless better suited to use as an ornamental. 

 B. glob err ina is quite similar to B. ternifolia . It is confined 

 to southern Hew Mexico, southern Arizona and Mexico. 



C e pha 1 an t hu s occid ent al is or Button Bush, grows across the 

 continent and from Canada to Mexico. In our range it is rare but 

 widely distributed along streams in rock;,'' canyons. It is an excel- 

 lent stream bank binder but its use for this purpose ia very limited. 

 It may be recognized by its large dogwood- like leaves and flowers 

 and seed which occi^r in round balls. 



-128- 



