Chihuahuan Desert Field Guide - Plants

Animals

Note: This new online Chihuahuan Desert Field Guide is part of ongoing efforts by the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition (CDEC) to help more people connect with this important part of our natural heritage. All of the animals and plants shown on these pages can be found at Tom Mays Park, site of the upcoming Third Annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta planned for September 22, 2007.  This guide will grow over time.  Volunteers who are interested in helping develop this online guide are encouraged to contact Rick LoBello at rickllobello@cs.com.  Unless noted all photos and content by Rick LoBello.

Ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens
This common desert plant is often confused as a cactus especially when the plant is without leaves.
Leaves on ocotillo grow in response to rain almost any time of the year.  The plant resembles an upside down octopus with tentacles (branches) and all. 
 

Green-flowered Cactus, Echinocereus chloranthus
This hedgehog cactus is widespread in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  Flowers appear as early as February and can be greenish to reddish brown. 

Desert sumac, Rhus microphylla
This small shrub is quite common in the Chihuahuan Desert.  It is also called littleleaf sumac.  Small white flowers appear in May.

Desert sumac, Rhus microphylla
The berries of desert sumac are eaten by desert birds and small mammals.  They are also used by people in making a refreshing Chihuahuan Desert drink.  Dr. Barton Warnock, who published a series of plant guides to West Texas in the 1970s, wrote that the fruits should be steeped in warm water for about 30 minutes and then strained and chilled.  To sweeten the drink he recommended adding honey and when taken as a hot tea stated that the drink brings relief to swore throats (Warnock, 1974).

Apache plume, Fallugia paradoxa
This widespread shrub is a member of the Rose family.   The name Apache comes from the feathery purple tails of the fruits that resemble an Apache headdress.  According to Warnock (1974) native Americans used an infusion of leaves to stimulate hair growth.

Apache plume, Fallugia paradoxa
Flowers appear on this shrub from April to October. 

Plants continued
Animals
 

References
Warnock, Barton, H.  Wildflowers of the Guadalupe Mountains and the Sand Dune Country, Texas.
Sul Ross State University, 1974.