Cabeza Prieta Natural History Association
Sonoran Desert Plants

Disclaimer and Explanation

There are 473 entries in this list of Sonoran Desert plants. You may limit the list to plants that have specific characteristics by using the Plant Identificaton Form. Use the Key Word Search Form to generate a list of plants who's database record contain your search phrase.

List plants by scientific name: [A-C] | [D-H] | [I-P] | [Q-Z] | [A-Z]

• Abronia villosa (Sand Verbena) - perennial forb *
• Abutilon incanum (Indian mallow, pelotazo) - medium shrub *
• Abutilon malacum (Yellow Indian-mallow) - perennial forb
• Abutilon palmeri (Indian Mallow, Flowering Maple) - low shrub *
• Acacia angustissima (White-ball acacia, fern acacia) - medium shrub *
• Acacia constricta (Whitethorn acacia (with spines)) - tall shrub *
• Acacia constricta (Whitethorn acacia (without spines)) - tall shrub *
• Acacia greggii (Cat Claw, Wait-a-minute Bush) - tall shrub *
• Acalypha californica (Acalypha pringlei) (Hierba del Cancer, copperleaf) - low shrub *
• Achyronychia cooperi (onyxflower) - annual forb *
• Acleisanthes longiflora (Angel's trumpets (ovate-triangular leaves)) - perennial forb
• Acleisanthes longiflora (Angel's trumpets (lanceolate leaves)) - perennial forb
• Acourtia wrightii (Brownfoot) - perennial forb
• Adenophyllum porophylloides (Adenophyllum) - low shrub *
• Agave deserti subsp. Simplex (Desert agave, Mezcal) - succulent *
• Agave schottii (Amolillo, Shin Dagger) - succulent *
• Allionia incarnata (Trailing four-o'clock) - annual forb *
• Allium macropetalum (Desert onion, cebollin) - perennial forb *
• Aloysia wrightii (Oreganillo) - low shrub *
• Amaranthus fimbriatus (Fringed pigweed, Bledo, Quelitillo) - annual forb
• Amaranthus palmeri (Careless weed) - annual forb,invasive
• Ambrosia ambrosioides (Canyon ragweed, giant bursage) - medium shrub *
• Ambrosia confertiflora (Slim-leaf ragweed, Estafiate) - perennial forb
• Ambrosia cordifolia (Heart-leaf bursage) - medium shrub *
• Ambrosia deltoidea (Triangle-leaf bursage) - low shrub *
• Ambrosia deltoidea (Triangle-leaf bursage) - low shrub *
• Ambrosia dumosa (White bursage) - low shrub *
• Ambrosia ilicifolia (Holly-leaved bursage) - low shrub *
• Amsinckia intermedia var. intermedia (Fiddleneck) - annual forb *
• Amsinckia tessellata (Checker fiddleneck) - annual forb
• Anemone tuberosa (Desert windflower) - perennial forb *
• Anisacanthus thurberi (Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle, Chuparosa) - medium shrub *
• Antirrhinum cyathiferum (Desert snapdragon) - annual forb
• Argemone gracilenta (Prickly poppy, cardo, crested pricklepoppy, bluestem pricklepoppy, chicalote) - perennial forb *
• Aristida adscensionis (Six-weeks three-awn, zacate tres barbas) - annual grass *
• Aristida californica var. californica (California three-awn, tres barbas de California) - perennial grass *
• Aristida parishii (Parish three-awn) - annual grass *
• Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi (A. glauca) (Purple three-awn, tres barbas) - annual grass *
• Aristida ternipes var. gentilis (A. hamulosa) (Poverty three-awn, zacate arana de tres barbas) - perennial grass *
• Aristida ternipes var. ternipes (Spidergrass, zacate arana) - perennial grass *
• Aristolochia watsonii (Pipevine, Indian-root, Dutchman's pipe) - perennial vine
• Asclepias albicans (White-stem milkweed, yamate) - medium shrub *
• Asclepias erosa (Giant sand-milkweed, Hierba del Cuervo) - perennial forb
• Asclepias linaria (pine-needle milkweed) - perennial forb *
• Asclepias subulata (Desert Milkweed) - medium shrub *
• Astragalus insularis var. harwoodii (Sand locoweed) - annual forb *
• Astragalus nuttallianus var. imperfectus (Small-flowered milkvetch) - annual forb *
• Astrolepis cochisensis ssp. Cochisensis (Scaly star fern) - fern
• Astrolepis sinuata (Wavy cloak fern) - fern *
• Atriplex canescens (Four-wing saltbush) - medium shrub *
• Atriplex elegans ssp fasciculata (Wheel-scale orach, chamiso cenizo) - annual forb
• Atriplex elegans ssp. elegans (Wheel-scale orach, chamiso cenizo) - annual forb
• Atriplex hymenelytra (Desert-holly) - subshrub
• Atriplex linearis (A. canescens ssp. Linearis) (Narrow-leaf saltbush) - medium shrub
• Atriplex pacifica (Pacific orach) - annual forb *
• Atriplex polycarpa (Desert saltbush, chamiso cenizo) - low shrub *
• Ayenia filiformis (Ayenia pusilla) (Ayenia) - subshrub
• Ayenia filiformis (Ayenia pusilla) (Ayenia) - subshrub
• Baccharis brachyphylla (Hairy baccharis) - low shrub
• Baccharis salicifolia (B. glutinosa) (Seep willow, batamote) - tall shrub *
• Baccharis sarothroides (Desert Broom) - medium shrub *
• Baileya multiradiata (Desert Marigold) - perennial forb *
• Baileya multiradiata (Desert Marigold) - perennial forb *
• Baileya pleniradiata (Woolly desert-marigold, Tecomblate) - perennial forb *
• Baileya pleniradiata (Woolly desert-marigold, Tecomblate) - perennial forb
• Bebbia juncea var. aspera (Sweetbush) - low shrub *
• Boerhavia diffusa (Red spiderling) - trailing perennial,introduced,invasive *
• Boerhavia erecta var. erecta (Spiderling) - annual forb
• Boerhavia erecta var. intermedia (Spiderling) - annual forb
• Boerhavia spicata (Spiderling) - annual forb
• Boerhavia wrightii (Spiderling) - annual forb
• Bothriochloa barbinodis (Andropogon barbinodis) (Cane bluestem, zacate popotillo) - perennial grass *
• Bouteloua aristidoides (Six-weeks needle grama, aceitilla, navajita) - annual grass *
• Bouteloua barbata (Six-weeks grama, navajita, zacate liebrero) - annual grass *
• Bouteloua trifida (Red grama, navajita china) - perennial grass *
• Bowlesia incana (Hairy bowlesia) - annual forb
• Brachiaria arizonica (Panicum arizonicum) (Piojillo de Arizona) - annual grass *
• Brandegea bigelovii (Desert starvine) - perennial viny forb *
• Brassica tournefortii (Sahara mustard, wild turnip, mostaza) - annual forb,introduced,extremely invasive *
• Brassica tournefortii (Sahara mustard, wild turnip, mostaza) - annual forb,introduced,extremely invasive *
• Brickellia atractyloides var. atractyloides (Leather-leaved brickellia) - low shrub
• Brickellia coulteri (Brickell-bush) - low shrub *
• Bromus carinatus (California brome) - grass *
• Bromus rubens (B. madritensis ssp. Rubens) (Foxtail brome, red brome, bromo rojo) - introduced annual grass *
• Bursera microphylla (Elephant tree) - small tree *
• Caesalpinia glauca (Hoffmanseggia glauca) (Hog potato, camote de raton) - perennial forb
• Calandrinia ciliata (Red Maids) - annual forb *
• Calliandra eriophylla (Fairy Duster) - low shrub *
• Calochortus kennedyi (Desert mariposa, Red mariposa-lily, Flame mariposa) - annual forb *
• Calycoseris wrightii (White tackstem) - annual forb *
• Camissonia arenaria (Sand evening primrose) - annual forb
• Camissonia boothii ssp. Condensata (Woody bottle-washer) - annual forb *
• Camissonia californica (California suncup, mustard evening primrose) - annual forb *
• Camissonia chamaenerioides (Willow-herb evening primrose) - annual forb
• Camissonia claviformis ssp. Claviformis (Brown-eyed evening primrose) - annual forb *
• Camissonia claviformis ssp. Peeblesii (Brown-eyed evening primrose) - annual forb
• Camissonia claviformis ssp. peirsonii (Peirson's brown-eyed primrose) - annual forb *
• Camissonia claviformis ssp. Rubescens (Brown-eyed evening primrose) - annual forb *
• Carlowrightia arizonica (Lemilla) - low shrub
• Carnegia gigantea (Saguaro, Sahuara, Giant Cactus) - tall columnar cactus *
• Castela emoryi (Crucifixion thorn, corona de cristo) - small tree *
• Castilleja chromosa (Desert Paintbrush) - perennial forb *
• Castilleja exserta (Orthocarpus exserta) (Purple owl clover) - annual forb *
• Caulanthus lasiophyllus var. lasiophyllus (Cutleaf thelypodium) - annual forb *
• Celtis pallida (Desert hackberry) - tall shrub *
• Cenchrus incertus (Field sandbur, huipapori) - grass *
• Chaenactis carphoclinia (Pebble pincushion) - annual forb *
• Chaenactis fremontii (Fremont's pincushion, morning bride) - annual forb *
• Chaenactis stevioides (Desert pincushion) - annual forb *
• Chamaesaracha coronopus (False nightshade, small groundcherry, green-leaf five-eyes) - perennial forb *
• Cheilanthes parryi (Parry's lip fern) - fern
• Chenopodium murale (Net-leaf goosefoot, chuhal, cuhal) - annual forb
• Chilopsis linearis (Desert willow) - medium tree *
• Chloris virgata (feather fingergrass, cola de zorra, zacate lagunero) - annual grass *
• Chorizanthe brevicornu ssp. Brevicornu (Brittle spine-flower, short-horn spine-flower) - annual forb *
• Chorizanthe corrugata (Wrinkled spine-flower) - annual forb
• Chorizanthe rigida (Rigid spineflower, rigid spinyherb) - annual forb *
• Clematis drummondii (Texas virgin bower) - woody vine
• Colubrina californica (California snake bush, snakewood) - tall shrub
• Condalia globosa (Bitter condalia) - tall shrub,small tree *
• Condalia warnockii (Mexican crucillo) - medium shrub *
• Coursetia glandulosa (Baby Bonnets) - tall shrub *
• Crassula connata (Tillaea erecta) (Pigmy-weed) - annual forb
• Crossosoma bigelovii (Ragged rockflower) - straggly shrub *
• Croton sonorae (Sonora croton) - medium shrub *
• Croton wigginsii (Dune croton) -
• Cryptantha angustifolia (Panamint cat's eye, popcorn flower) - annual forb *
• Cryptantha barbigera (Bearded cryptantha) - annual forb
• Cryptantha ganderi (Dune cryptantha) - annual forb
• Cryptantha holoptera (Winged cryptantha) - annual forb
• Cryptantha maritima var. maritima (White-haired cryptantha) - annual forb
• Cryptantha maritima var.pilosa (White-haired cryptantha) - annual forb
• Cryptantha micrantha subsp. micrantha (Dwarf cryptantha) - annual forb
• Cryptantha pterocarya var. cycloptera (Wing-nut cryptantha) - annual forb *
• Cucurbita digitata (Coyote gourd, calabachilla, chichi coyota) - vine *
• Cuscuta umbellata (Flat-globe dodder) - parasitic forb
• Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon (Bermuda grass, zacate bermuda, zacate ingles) - introduced invasive stoloniferous perennial grass *
• Cyperus esculentus var. esculentus (Yellow nutgrass, coquillo, amarillo, cebollin) - sedge
• Cyperus squarrosus (Cyperus aristatus) (Dwarf sedge) - sedge
• Dalea mollis (Silky dalea) - perennial forb *
• Datura discolor (Datura wrightii) (Sacred datura, thornapple, western jimson) - perennial forb,halucinogenic and poisonous *
• Daucus pusillus (Wild carrot, Zanahoria silvestre) - annual forb *
• Delphinium scaposum (Bare-stem larkspur) - perennial forb,poisonous *
• Descurainia pinnata (Tansy mustard) - annual forb *
• Descurainia pinnata (Tansy mustard) - annual forb *
• Dichelostemma capitatum subsp. pauciflorum (Blue dicks, wild-hyacinth, coveria) - perennial forb *
• Digitaria californica (Trichachne californica) (Cottontop, zacate punta blanca) - perennial grass *
• Dimorphocarpa pinnatifida (Dithyrea wislizenii) (Dune spectacle-pod) - annual forb
• Ditaxis brandegeei var. intonsa (Sonoran silverbush) - low shrub
• Ditaxis lanceolata (Narrowleaf silverbush) - low shrub *
• Ditaxis neomexicana (New Mexico ditaxis) - perennial forb
• Ditaxis serrata var. serrata (Serrate ditaxis) - perennial forb
• Dithyrea californica (Spectacle-pod) - annual forb *
• Dodonea viscosa (D.angustifolia) (Hopbush) - tall shrub *
• Draba cuneifolia var. integrifolia (Wedge-leaf draba) - annual forb *
• Drymaria viscosa (Drymaria) - annual forb
• Dudleya arizonica (Gila live-forever) - perennial forb *
• Echinocactus polycephalus (Cotton-top cactus) - spherical cactus *
• Echinocereus engelmannii (Strawberry hedgehog Cactus) - low columnar cactus *
• Echinocereus nicholii (Golden hedgehog cactus) - low columnar cactus *
• Echinochloa colonum var. colonum (Junglegrass, junglerice, leopard grass, zacate rayado, zacate pinto, zacate tigre) - annual grass *
• Echinochloa crusgalli var. crusgalli (Barnyard grass, zacate de agua, zacate de corral) - introduced annual grass *
• Echinomastus erectocentrus var. Acunata (Acuña cactus) - low columnar cactus *
• Encelia farinosa (Brittlebush, incienso) - low shrub *
• Encelia farinosa var phenicodonta (Brown-center brittlebush) - low shrub
• Encelia frutescens (Button Brittlebush, Green brittlebush, Rayless encelia) - low shrub *
• Enneopogon desvauxii (Spike pappusgrass, zacate lobero) - perennial grass *
• Ephedra aspera (Mormon tea, Boundary ephedra, tepopote) - low shrub *
• Ephedra trifurca (Canutillo, tepopote, long-leaved joint-fir) - medium shrub *
• Eragrostis cilianensis (Stinking lovegrass, zacate apestoso) - introduced annual grass *
• Eragrostis lehmanniana (Lehmann lovegrass, zacate africano) - introduced perennial grass *
• Eremalche exilis (Eremalche) - annual forb
• Eriastrum diffusum (Miniature Woollystar) - annual forb *
• Ericamera laricifolia (Turpentine bush) - low shrub *
• Erigeron divergens (E.lobatus) (Desert fleabane) - annual forb
• Eriochloa aristata var. aristata (Bearded cupgrass, zacate taza) - annual grass *
• Eriogonum deflexum (Skeleton Weed) - annual forb *
• Eriogonum deflexum (Skeleton Weed) - annual forb *
• Eriogonum fasciculatum (Wild buckwheat) - low shrub *
• Eriogonum inflatum (Desert trumpet, bladder stem, guinagua) - annual forb
• Eriogonum thomasii (Thomas buckwheat) - annual forb *
• Eriogonum thurberi (Thurber buckwheat) - annual forb
• Eriogonum trichopes var. trichopes (Little trumpet) - annual forb
• Eriogonum wrightii var. pringlei (Wright buckwheat) - subshrub
• Eriogonum wrightii var. pringlei (Wright buckwheat) - subshrub
• Erioneuron pulchellum (Tridens pulchellus) (Fluff-grass, zacate borreguerro) - perennial stoloniferous grass *
• Eriophyllum lanosum (White easter bonnets, woolly daisy) - annual forb *
• Eriophyllum lanosum (White easter bonnets, woolly daisy (opposite leaves)) - annual forb *
• Erodium cicutarium (Filaree, storksbill, heronsbill, alfilerillo) - annual forb,introduced,widespread
• Erodium texanum (False filaree, desert storksbill) - annual forb *
• Eryngium nasturtiifolium (Eryngium) - perennial forb
• Eschscholtzia californica ssp. mexicana (Mexican Gold Poppy) - annual forb *
• Eschscholzia minutiflora (Little gold poppy) - annual forb *
• Eucnide rupestris (Velcro plant) -
• Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida (Chrysanthemum-leaved hideseed) - annual forb *
• Eucrypta micrantha (Peluda, dainty desert hideseed) - annual forb
• Euphorbia abramsiana (Chamaesyce abramsiana) (Golondrina) - annual forb
• Euphorbia albomarginata (Rattlesnake weed) - perennial forb *
• Euphorbia eriantha (Euphorbia eriantha) - annual forb *
• Euphorbia florida (Chamaesyce florida) (Flowery spurge) - annual forb
• Euphorbia hyssopifolia (Chamaesyce hyssopifolia) (Hyssop spurge) -
• Euphorbia micromera (Chamaesyce micromera) (Golondrina) - annual forb
• Euphorbia pediculifera var. pediculifera (Chamaesyce pediculifera) (Louse spurge) - perennial forb
• Euphorbia petrina (Chamaesyce petrina) (Golondrina) -
• Euphorbia polycarpa (Chamaesyce polycarpa) (Desert spurge) - perennial forb *
• Euphorbia setiloba (Chamaesyce setiloba) (Fringed spurge) - annual forb
• Euphorbia spathulata (Euphorbia spathulata) -
• Euphorbia trachysperma (Chamaesyce trachysperma) (Euphorbia trachysperma) -
• Fagonia californica subsp. Californica (California fagonia) - subshrub
• Fagonia californica subsp.californica (California fagonia) - subshrub *
• Fagonia callifornica subsp. longipes (California fagonia) - subshrub
• Fagonia pachyacantha (Fagonia) - subshrub
• Ferocactus cylindraceus (Mountain barrel cactus) - medium columnar cactus *
• Ferocactus emoryi (Coville barrel cactus) - medium columnar cactus *
• Ferocactus wislizenii (fishhook barrel, Arizona barrel) - medium columnar cactus *
• Festuca octoflora (Vulpia octoflora) (Sixweeks fescue, eight-flowered fescue, fescua) - annual grass *
• Filago arizonica (Arizona fluffweed) - annual forb
• Filago californica (California fluffweed) - annual forb
• Fouquieria splendens (Ocotillo) - tall shrub *
• Gaillardia arizonica (Arizona blanket-flower) - annual forb *
• Galium stellatum var. eremicum (Starry bedstraw) - low shrub *
• Gaura parviflora (Lizard-tail, velvet-leaf gaura) - annual forb *
• Geraea canescens (Dune Sunflower, desert sunflower) - annual forb *
• Gilia latifolia (Broad-leaf gilia) - annual forb
• Gilia latifolia (Broad-leaf gilia) - annual forb
• Gilia stellata (Star gilia) - annual forb *
• Grusonia kunzei (Opuntia kunzei) (Desert club cholla, Devil cholla) - low columnar cactus *
• Gutierrezia arizonica (Arizona snakeweed) - annual forb
• Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) - perennial forb
• Gymnosperma glutinosa (Gumhead) - low shrub
• Hedeoma nanum var. macrocalyx (False pennyroyal) - perennial forb
• Helianthus niveus (Dune sunflower (opposite leaves), Mirasol) - annual forb *
• Helianthus niveus (Dune sunflower (alternate leaves), Mirasol) - annual forb
• Heliotropium curassavicum (Alkali heliotrope, hierba del sapo) - annual forb
• Herissantia crispa (Bladder mallow) - perennial forb *
• Hesperocallis undulata (Ajo lily, Desert lily) - perennial forb *
• Heteropogon contortus (Tanglehead, zacate colorado) - perennial grass *
• Hibiscus coulteri (Desert rose mallow) - straggly shrub *
• Hibiscus denudatus (Rock hibiscus) - low shrub *
• Hordeum murinum ssp. Glaucum (Wild barley, cebadilla silvestre) - introduced annual grass *
• Horsfordia alata (Pink velvet mallow) - straggly shrub *
• Horsfordia newberryi (Orange velvet-mallow) - medium shrub *
• Hymenoclea monogyra (Slender burrobrush) - low shrub
• Hymenoclea salsola var. pentalepis (White burro-bush) - low shrub *
• Hymenothrix wislizeni (Yellow thimblehead) - forb
• Hymenothrix wislizenii (Yellow thimblehead) - forb
• Hymenoxys odorata (Bitterweed) - annual forb *
• Hyptis emoryi (Desert lavender) - medium shrub *
• Ipomoea hederacea (Morning glory, trompillo morado) -
• Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia (Alkali goldenbush (non-lobed leaves)) - low shrub,medium shrub *
• Isocoma acradenia var. acradenia (Alkali goldenbush (lobed leaves)) - low shrub,medium shrub *
• Jacobinia ovata (Jacobinia) - medium shrub *
• Jacobinia ovata (Jacobinia) - medium shrub *
• Janusia gracilis (Janusia) - woody vine *
• Jatropha cardiophylla (Sangre-de-Cristo) - low shrub *
• Jatropha cinerea (Ashy limberbush) - medium shrub *
• Jatropha cuneata (Limberbush) - medium shrub *
• Juniperus coahuilensis (Roseberry juniper) - Tree, Shrub *
• Justicia californica (Chuparosa) - medium shrub *
• Kallstroemia californica (California caltrop, mal de ojo) - annual forb
• Kallstroemia grandiflora (Orange caltrop, baiborin, mal de ojo) - annual forb
• Krameria erecta (Krameria parviflora) (Range ratany) - low shrub
• Krameria grayi (White ratany) - low shrub *
• Langloisia setosissimum (Bristly calico) - annual forb *
• Lappula redowskii (Stickseed) - annual forb
• Larrea divaricata subsp. tridentata (Larrea tridentata) (Creosote bush) - medium shrub *
• Lepidium lasiocarpum (Sand peppergrass) - annual forb *
• Lepidium lasiocarpum (Sand peppergrass) - annual forb *
• Leptochloa mucronata (L. filiformis) (Red sprangletop, zacate salado, desparramo rojo) - annual grass *
• Leptochloa viscida (Sticky sprangletop, zacate salado pegajoso) - annual grass *
• Lesquerella gordonii (Gordon's bladderpod) - annual forb *
• Lesquerella tenella (Delicate bladderpod) - annual forb
• Linanthus bigelovii (Bigelow linanthus) - annual forb
• Linanthus bigelovii (Bigelow linanthus) - annual forb
• Linanthus demissus (Desert snow) - annual forb *
• Loeflingia squarrosa ssp. Cactorum (Loeflingia) - annual forb
• Lophocereus schottii (Senita cactus) - tall columnar cactus *
• Lotus humistratus (Foothill bird's-foot trefoil) - annual forb *
• Lotus rigidus (Wiry lotus) - annual forb *
• Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus (Lotus salsuginosus) - annual forb
• Lotus strigosus (Hairy lotus, desert bird's-foot trfoil, desert lotus) - annual forb *
• Lupinus arizonica (Arizona lupine) - annual forb *
• Lupinus concinnus (Elegant lupine) - annual forb *
• Lupinus sparsiflorus (Arroyo lupine, Coulter's lupine) - annual forb *
• Lycium andersonii (Desert wolfberry, salicieso) - medium shrub
• Lycium berlandieri (Wolfberry, bachata, salicieso) - medium shrub *
• Lycium cooperi (Wolfberry, bachata, salicieso) - medium shrub *
• Lycium fremontii (Fremont wolfberry) - medium shrub *
• Lycium macrodon (Desert thorn, wolfberry) - medium shrub *
• Lycium parishii (Parish wolfberry) - medium shrub *
• Lyrocarpa coulteri (Lyre-pod) - perennial forb *
• Machaeranthera coulteri var. arida (Psilactis) - annual forb *
• Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. gooddingii (Spiny goldenweed) - perennial forb *
• Malacothrix fendleri (Fendler's desert dandelion) - annual forb *
• Malacothrix glabrata (Smooth desert dandelion) - annual forb *
• Malvella leprosa (Dollarweed, alkali mallow) - perennial forb
• Malvella sagittifolia (Malvella) - perennial forb *
• Mammillaria grahamii (Mammillaria microcarpa) (Fishhook pincushion cactus) - pincushion cactus *
• Mammillaria tetrancistra (Corkseed fishhook cactus) - pincushion cactus
• Mammillaria thornberi (Thornber fishhook cactus, cabeza de viejo) - short pincushion cactus
• Marina parryi (Parry's false prairie-clover) - perennial forb *
• Marsilea vestita (Hairy water-clover) - fern
• Matelea parvifolia (Angle pod) - perennial vine
• Maurandya antirrhinum (Snapdragon vine) - non-woody vine *
• Menodora scabra (Twinberry, rough menodora) - perennial forb
• Mentzelia affinis (Triangle-seed blazing-star, pega pega) - annual forb *
• Mentzelia albicaulis (White-stem blazing star) - annual forb
• Mentzelia involucrata var. megacantha (Stickleaf, silver blazing-star, pega pega) - annual forb *
• Mentzelia multiflora (Blazing star) - perennial forb
• Mentzelia oreophila (Mentzelia puberula) (Mentzelia oreophila) - shrub *
• Mimosa dysocarpa (Velvetpod mimosa) - medium shrub *
• Mirabilis bigelovii var bigelovii (Desert four o'clock, desert wishbone bush) - perennial forb *
• Monolepis nuttalliana (Poverty weed, patata) - annual forb
• Monoptilon bellioides (Mojave desert star) - annual forb *
• Muhlenbergia microsperma (Littleseed muhly, liendrilla chica) - annual grass *
• Muhlenbergia porteri (Bush muhly, zacate aparejo) - perennial grass *
• Nama demissum (Purplemat) - annual forb *
• Nama hispidum (Bristly nama, morada, sandbells) - annual forb
• Nemacaulis denudata var. gracilis (Woolly heads) - annual forb
• Nemacaulis denudata var. gracilis (Woolly heads) - annual forb
• Nemacladus glanduliferus var. orientalis (Threadstem) - annual forb
• Nicotiana clevelandii (Desert tobacco, tobaco del coyote) - annual forb *
• Nicotiana obtusifolia (Nicotiana trigonophylla) (Desert tobacco) - perennial forb *
• Nolina bigelovii (Desert tree-beargrass) - low shrub *
• Nolina microcarpa (Beargrass, sacahuista, basket grass) - low shrub *
• Notholaena californica ssp. Californica (Indian fern, california cloak fern) - fern
• Notholaena standleyi (Star cloak fern) - fern *
• Oenothera arizonica (Arizona evening primrose) - annual forb
• Oenothera deltoides subsp. deltoides (Dune primrose, White desert primrose) - annual forb *
• Oenothera primiveris (Yellow desert primrose) - annual forb *
• Oligomeris linifolia (Desert cambess, slender-leaf cambess) - annual forb
• Olneya tesota (Ironwood) - medium tree *
• Opuntia acanthocarpa (Buckhorn cholla) - low arborescent cactus *
• Opuntia arbuscula (Pencil cholla) - medium arborescent cactus *
• Opuntia basilaris (Beaver tail cactus) - pad cactus *
• Opuntia bigelovii (Teddy bear cholla) - low arborescent cactus *
• Opuntia chlorotica (Pancake prickly-pear) - pad cactus *
• Opuntia echinocarpa (Silver cholla) - low arborescent cactus *
• Opuntia engelmannii var. engelmannii (Engelmann prickly pear) - pad cactus *
• Opuntia engelmannii var.flavispina (Engelmann prickly pear) - sprawling pad cactus *
• Opuntia fulgida var. fulgida (Chain-fruit cholla) - tall arborescent cactus *
• Opuntia fulgida var. mammillata (Spineless chain-fruit cholla) - medium arborescent cactus *
• Opuntia leptocaulis (Desert Christmas cholla, Tasajillo) - sprawling cactus *
• Opuntia leptocaulis (Desert Christmas cholla, Tasajillo) - sprawling cactus *
• Opuntia ramosissima (Diamond cholla) - sprawling cactus *
• Opuntia spinosior (Cane cholla) - medium arborescent cactus *
• Opuntia spinosior (Cane cholla) - medium arborescent cactus *
• Opuntia spinosior (Cane cholla) - medium arborescent cactus *
• Opuntia versicolor (Staghorn cholla) - medium arborescent cactus *
• Orobanche cooperi (Desert broomrape, flor de tierra) - perennial forb *
• Palafoxia arida var. arida (Spanish needles) - annual forb *
• Panicum alatum var. alatum (Panicum) - grass
• Panicum hirticaule var. hirticaule (Mexican panicgrass) - grass *
• Parietaria floridana (Parietaria hespera) (Desert pellitory) - annual forb
• Parkinsonia florida (Cercidium floridum) (Blue Palo Verde) - medium tree *
• Parkinsonia microphyllum (Cercidium microphyllum) (Foothill paloverde) - medium tree *
• Pectis papposa var. papposa (Desert chinchweed, Manzanilla del coyote) - annual forb *
• Pectocarya heterocarpa (Mixed-nut comb-bur) - annual forb
• Pectocarya platycarpa (Broad-wing comb-bur) - annual forb
• Pectocarya recurvata (Arched comb-bur) - annual forb *
• Peniocereus greggii var. transmontanus (Cereus greggii) (Cereus, Reina de la noche, Night-blooming cereus) - sprawling cactus *
• Peniocereus striatus (Wilcoxia) - sprawling cactus *
• Pennisetum ciliare (Cenchrus ciliaris) (Buffelgrass, zacate buffel) - introduced,invasive perennial grass
• Pennisetum setaceum (P. ruppelii) (Fountain grass) - introduced, invasive perennial grass *
• Penstemon parryi (Parry penstemon) - perennial forb *
• Penstemon pseudospectabilis var. pseudospectabilis (Mojave beard tongue) - perennial forb
• Penstemon subulatus (Arizona scarlet-bugler) - perennial forb *
• Perityle emoryi (Desert rockdaisy) - annual forb *
• Petalonyx thurberi subsp. thurberi (Sandpaper plant) - medium shrub
• Peucephyllum schottii (Desert fir, Pygmy cedar) - low shrub *
• Phacelia ambigua (Phacelia crenulata) (Scorpionweed) - annual forb *
• Phacelia distans (Blue-eyed scorpion-weed) - annual forb *
• Phacelia neglecta (Brittle phacelia) - annual forb *
• Phalaris minor (Little-seed canary grass, alpisillo, alpiste silvestre) - annual grass *
• Phaseolus filiformis (Slim-Jim bean, desert bean) - annual forb *
• Phlox tenuifolia (Phlox) - perennial forb *
• Pholistoma auritum var. arizonicum (Arizona fiesta flower) - annual forb *
• Phoradendron californicum (Desert mistletoe, Toji) - parasite on trees *
• Physalis crassifolia var. versicolor (Desert groundcherry, tomatillo del desierto) - subshrub,edible fruits *
• Physalis lobata (Ground cherry) - perennial forb *
• Plantago ovata (Plantago insularis var. fastigiata) (Woolly plantain, Indian wheat, pastora) - annual forb
• Plantago patagonica (Plantain) - annual forb *
• Pleuraphis rigida (Hilaria rigida) (Big galleta, galleta grande, tobosa) - large perennial grass *
• Pleurocoronis pluriseta (Arrow-leaf) - small shrub
• Pleurocoronis pluriseta (Arrow-leaf) - small shrub
• Pluchea purpurascens var. purpurascens (P. sericea) (Arrow weed) - tall shrub *
• Poa bigelovii (Bigelow bluegrass, zacate azul nativo) - annual grass *
• Polygonum argyrocoleon (Silversheath) - annual forb
• Porophyllum gracile (Odora, hierba del venado) - perennial forbs,strongly scented foliage *
• Portulaca halimoides (Portulaca) - annual forb
• Prenanthella exigua (Lygodesmia exigua) (No Common Name) -
• Proboscidea altheaefolia (Devil's claw, gato, una de gato, torito) - annual forb
• Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana (Western honey mesquite) - medium tree *
• Prosopis pubescens (Screwbean mesquite) - medium tree *
• Prosopis velutina (Velvet mesquite) - medium tree *
• Psathyrotes ramosissima (Desert velvet) - annual forb *
• Psilostrophe cooperi (Paper flower) - low shrub *
• Psorothamnus emoryi var. emoryi (Emory indigo-bush) - medium shrub
• Psorothamnus spinosus (Smoke tree) - small tree *
• Quercus ajoensis (Ajo oak) - medium tree *
• Rafinesquia californica (California chicory) - annual forb
• Rafinesquia neomexicana (Desert chicory) - annual forb *
• Rhamnus crocea (Holly-leaf buckthorn, red berry buckthorn) - medium shrub *
• Rhus kearneyi subsp. kearneyi (Desert sumac) - tall shrub *
• Salazaria mexicana (Bladder sage) - medium shrub
• Salsola tragus (Salsola kali) (Russian thistle, tumbleweed, chamizo volador) - annual forb,introduced,invasive *
• Salvia columbariae (Desert chia, chia, california sage) - annual forb *
• Sarcostemma cynanchoides var. hartwegii (Climbing milkweed) - non-woody vine *
• Schismus arabicus (Arabic schismus) - introduced annual grass *
• Schismus barbatus (Mediterranean grass) - introduced annual grass *
• Sebastiania bilocularis (Sapium biloculare) (Jumping bean) - medium shrub *
• Selaginella arizonica (Arizona spike-moss, flor de piedra) - spike moss *
• Selaginella eremophila (Desert spike-moss, flor de piedra) - spike moss
• Senecio lemmonii (Lemmon groundsel) - subshrub
• Senecio mohavensis (Mojave groundsel) - annual forb *
• Senna covesii (Cassia covesii) (Desert senna, daisillo, hojasen) - perennial forb *
• Setaria leucopila (White-haired bristlegrass, zacate temprano) - grass *
• Silene antirrhina (Sleepy catchfly) - annual forb
• Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) - medium shrub *
• Sisymbrium irio (London rocket, pamita) - annual forb,introduced,widespread *
• Solanum eleagnifolium (Silver-leaf nightshade, white horse-nettle) - perennial forb
• Sonchus asper (Prickly sow thistle, chinita) - introduced weedy annual forb *
• Sonchus oleraceus (Common sow thistle, chinita) - introduced weedy annual forb *
• Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass, zacate johnson) - introduced perennial grass *
• Spermolepis echinata (Scale seed) - annual forb
• Sphaeralcea ambigua subsp. ambigua (Desert globe mallow) - perennial forb *
• Sphaeralcea coulteri (Annual globe mallow, mal de ojo) - annual forb *
• Sphaeralcea emoryi (Mal de ojo) - perennial forb
• Sphaeralcea orcuttii (Orcutt globe mallow) - annual forb
• Sporobolus airoides (Alkali sacaton, zacaton alcalino) - grass *
• Sporobolus cryptandrus (Sand dropseed, zacate de arena) - grass *
• Stenocereus thurberi (Organ pipe cactus) - tall columnar cactus *
• Stephanomeria pauciflora var. pauciflora (Desert straw) - perennial forb *
• Stephanomeria schottii (Schott's wire-lettuce) - annual forb
• Stillingia linearifolia (Stillingia) - perennial forb *
• Streptanthella longirostris (Long-beaked twist-flower) - annual forb
• Streptanthus carinatus subsp.arizonicus (Arizona jewelflower) - annual forb *
• Stylocline micropoides (Desert nest-straw) - annual forb
• Suaeda moquinii (Suaeda torreyana) (Desert seepweed, quelite salado) - subshrub
• Tamarix ramosissima (Salt-cedar, tamarisk, salado, pino salado) - medium tree,introduced,invasive
• Tetraclea coulteri (Coulter's wrinkle-fruit) - perennial forb
• Teucrium cubense subsp. depressum (Germander) - annual forb
• Teucrium glandulosum (Germander) - perennial forb *
• Thamnosma montana (Turpentine broom) - shrub
• Thymophylla concinna (Manzanilla del coyote) - annual forb
• Thymophylla pentachaeta (Common dogweed) -
• Thysanocarpus curvipes (Lacepod) - annual forb *
• Thysanocarpus curvipes (Lacepod) - annual forb *
• Tidestromia lanuginosa (Honeysweet, Hierba ceniza) - annual forb
• Tiquilia canescens (Wooly crinklemat, oreja del perro) - low shrub *
• Tiquilia canescens (Wooly crinklemat, oreja del perro) - low shrub *
• Tiquilia palmeri (Coldenia, crinklemats) - annual forb
• Tribulus terrestris (Puncture vine, goathead, torito, toboso) - annual forb
• Trichoptilium incisum (Yellow head, yellowdome) - annual forb *
• Tridens muticus var. muticus (Slim tridens) - perennial grass *
• Triteleiopsis palmeri (Blue sand lily) - perennial forb *
• Trixis californica (Trixis) - low shrub *
• Trixis californica (Trixis) - low shrub *
• Uropappus lindleyi (Silver puffs) - annual forb *
• Uropappus lindleyi (Silver puffs) - annual forb *
• Vauquelinia californica (Arizona rosewood) - small tree,large shrub *
• Verbena bracteata (Prostrate vervain) - perennial forb
• Verbena bracteata (Prostrate vervain) - perennial forb
• Verbena gooddingii (Glandularia gooddingii) (Goodding's vervain) - perennial forb
• Verbena officinalis ssp. halei (Vervain) - perennial forb
• Veronica peregrina subsp. xalapensis (Purslane speedwell, necklace-weed) - annual forb
• Viguera parishii (Parish goldeneye) - low shrub *
• Wislizenia refracta ssp. Refracta (Jackass clover) - annual forb
• Yucca arizonica (Yucca) - succulent *
• Zinnia acerosa (Desert zinnia) - low shrub *
• Ziziphus obtusifolia var. canescens (Gray-thorn) - tall shrub *
• Ziziphus obtusifolia var. canescens (Gray-thorn) - tall shrub *

The scope of this page is to provide links to information and images of most or all of the plant species native to the Sonoran Desert of southwestern Arizona. Currently, not all the species in this region are on the list, but more will be added from time to time. Information and images for species already on the list are continually being added and updated. Because of this, be sure to check back occasionally.

The plant identification page and the plant images are meant to be only a first step in the identification process. In spite of our best efforts, it is not possible to insure that 100% accuracy in identifying unknown plants can be obtained by using search keys and photographs. When it is of critical importance to be absolutely sure of the identification of a plant, a specimen must be examined by a professional botanist and verified at a recognized herbarium.

* Specie page has photos.

Questions and comments are encouraged. If you have any of these or are in disagreement with any information or images being presented, please contact us at, content_mgr@cabezaprieta.org Feedback is necessary to enable us to correct incorrect information and to further fine-tune the identification process.

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