Canyon Life

Whitethorn Acacia (Vachellia constricta) is ubiquitous in Sabino Canyon and most of Tucson. For this month’s plant, I …

Sabino, a refuge for Tumamoc globeberry... Biologist Frank Reichenbacher points to Tumamoc globeberry (Tumamoca …

Native grasses help to prevent erosion and provide food and shelter for many of the desert creatures. Deer, Javalina, …

Familiar common names that you might have heard are Buckwheat, Sorrel, Rhubarb and Dock. The Buckwheat, or …

Video by Peter Angerbauer …

The flowers open at night and are visible early in the day. The flowers will often wilt in the heat or sun. Plants of …

The Netleaf Oak is usually known from higher elevations and it was a surprise when one of our Naturalists (Fred Heath) …

There are at least 15 different species of Brassicaceae in Sabino Canyon. Taxonomically, plants in a family all have …

Other common names for each of these include Shrubby Indian Mallow, Yellow Indian Mallow, Yellow Flower Indian …

Hairy (or Hoary) Bowlesia (Bowlesia incana) is one of the first plants that we see coming up in the spring. This …

Ephedra species are in the group of seed producing plants called Gymnosperms that includes conifers, cycads, Ginkgo and …

You can distinguish the Desert Zinnia by it's white flowers vs. the yellow Paper Flower. Paper Flowers are taller and …

There’s lots of Desert Senna (Senna covesii) blooming in Sabino Canyon right now.  Despite little rain this summer, the …

Also known as Queen of the Night and Reina de la Noche Most of us have taken a break from Sabino Canyon for the …

There are 13 species of ferns observed and documented in Lower Sabino Canyon. Ferns in the Desert???!!! Usually …

Cactus flowers are usually showy and have many stamens, petals and sepals May is Getting hot.  Hard to think about …

Did you know that Chia is growing in Sabino Canyon? Did you know that Chia is growing in Sabino Canyon?  The …

The Chain-fruit Cholla blooms from May through August at elevations from 1000 to 4000 ft. So be sure to look for the …

Burro WHAT? Lots of shrubby, yellow flowering bushes are around this time of year.  One of these plants is Isocoma …

Hairy leaves helps the plant to retain moisture and shields the leaves from the sun April 2019 was a spectacular spring …

The cacti of the genus Ferocactus are varied and can range from less than a foot tall to as much as 12 …