ABOUT THE COLLECTION

Desert Plants is a unique botanical journal published by The University of Arizona for Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum. This journal is devoted to encouraging the appreciation of indigenous and adapted arid land plants. Desert Plants publishes a variety of manuscripts intended for amateur and professional desert plant enthusiasts. A few of the diverse topics covered include desert horticulture, landscape architecture, desert ecology, and history. First published in 1979, Desert Plants is currently published biannually with issues in June and December.

Digital access to this material is made possible by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum, and the University Libraries at the University of Arizona.


QUESTIONS?

Contact Desert Plants at DesertPlants@cals.arizona.edu.


Table of Contents

Recent Submissions

  • Selenium and Casilleja

    University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1983
  • Reviews

    University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1983
  • A Report on Special Events at the Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum

    Crosswhite, Carol D.; Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum (University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1983)
  • Greenhouse Establishment of Alfalfa in Three Soil Materials Associated with Arizona Coal Mining

    Day. A. D.; Department of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona (University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1983)
    The effects of three soil materials, three mulching treatments, and two moisture treatments on the growth and forage production of Vernal' alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) for use in coal mine waste reclamation were studied in a 3 -year experiment in the greenhouse at Tucson, Arizona. The three soil materials were: (1) Gila loam, (2) Unmined soil, and (3) Coal mine soil. The three mulching treatments were: (1) No mulch, (2) Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) straw, and (3) Russian thistle (Salsola kali L.). The two soil moisture treatments were: (1) Optimum (60 cm total) and (2) Stressed j30 cm total). Significant differences were observed in number of stems per pot, plant height, and forage yield between soil materials, mulching treatments, and soil moisture treatments. The greatest number of stems per pot, the tallest plants, and the highest forage yield were produced in the Gila loam, barley straw mulch, and optimum soil moisture treatment. Use of a soil mulch (incorporated organic matter mulch) produced better plant growth and more forage than when soils were not mulched. Barley straw was a more effective mulching material than was Russian thistle. Within soil materials and within mulching treatments forage yields were significantly higher with optimum soil moisture than they were when moisture was limited.
  • Biogeographical Distribution of Salt Marsh Halophytes on the Coasts of the Sonoran Desert

    Yensen, N. P.; Glenn, E. P.; Fontes, M. R.; Environmental Research Laboratory, University of Arizona (University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1983)
    Twenty-four species of intertidal halophytes were recorded from 15 coastal salt marshes of the Sonoran desert. The Pacific salt marshes were found to be the most diverse, with 14.4 species per marsh, while the western Gulf of California had 8.9, and the eastern Gulf, 13.7. A low species diversity was found in the northwestern Gulf due to the absence of mid- and high-zoned halophytes. High-zoned species were geographically patchier on all coasts. The species formed three elevational groups within the intertidal zone: LOW: Spartina foliosa Trin, Distichlis palmeri (Vasey), Rhizophora mangle L., Laguncularia racemosa (L.), Avicennia gerimans (L.), Salicornia bigelovii Torr., S. europaea L., and Batis maritima L.; MID: Salicornia virginica L., Suaeda californica S. Wats., laumea carnosa (Less.), Sesuvium verrucosum Raf., Limonium californicum (Boiss.1 and Cressa truxillensis H.B.K.; HIGH: Salicornia subterminalis Parish, Allenrolfea occidentalis (S. Wats.), Frankenia grandifolia Cham. and Schlect, F. palmen S. Wats., Monanthochloe littoralis Engelm., Distichlis spicata (L.), Suaeda fruticosa (L.), Atriplex barclayana (Benth.), A. canescens (Pursh) and Sporobolus virginicus (L.). Thirty additional species were recorded in the supralittoral zone.
  • Australian Acacias Used for Landscaping in Arizona

    Starr, Greg; Department of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona (University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1983)
  • The Wild Beans of Southwestern North America

    Buhrow, R.; Department of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona (University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1983)
  • Desert Plants, Volume 5, Number 2 (Summer 1983)

    University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1983