{"id":485,"date":"2024-06-25T22:48:15","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T22:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/?page_id=485"},"modified":"2025-09-30T13:34:50","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T20:34:50","slug":"vegetation-activities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"Vegetation Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"unityblocks-hero\" class=\"wp-block-unityblocks-hero hide-content\" data-herotype=\"heading-hero\" data-image=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/vegetation-activities-hero.jpg&quot;,&quot;altText&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;cssClass&quot;:[],&quot;size&quot;:&quot;medium&quot;}\" data-subtitle=\"{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;highlightColor&quot;:&quot;white&quot;,&quot;maxWidth&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;cssClass&quot;:[]}\" data-title=\"{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Vegetation activities&quot;,&quot;highlightColor&quot;:&quot;gold&quot;,&quot;maxWidth&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;cssClass&quot;:[]}\" data-contents=\"[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;maxWidth&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;cssClass&quot;:[],&quot;highlightColor&quot;:&quot;white&quot;}]\" data-contentscolor=\"white\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"unityblocks-anchor-menu\" class=\"wp-block-unityblocks-anchor-menu\" data-items=\"[{&quot;icon&quot;:[&quot;&quot;,&quot;&quot;],&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Adaptation&quot;,&quot;targetIdName&quot;:&quot;adapt&quot;},{&quot;icon&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Study the Vegetation&quot;,&quot;targetIdName&quot;:&quot;study&quot;},{&quot;icon&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Vegetation Protocols&quot;,&quot;targetIdName&quot;:&quot;protocols&quot;},{&quot;icon&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Vegetation Identification Key&quot;,&quot;targetIdName&quot;:&quot;key&quot;},{&quot;icon&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Vegetation Data&quot;,&quot;targetIdName&quot;:&quot;data&quot;}]\" data-firstelementid=\"\" data-focusfirstfocusableelement=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2 my-6 my-xl-12\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mt-0 anchor-menu-target\" id=\"adapt\">Adapted to desert living<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past 100 years, people have removed a lot of native Sonoran Desert vegetation and planted non-native plants, trees and shrubs in urban areas. However, some desert remnants remain within the Phoenix metropolitan area, for example, Papago Park near the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scientists are conducting plant surveys across the Phoenix metropolitan area. They will be comparing the survey results to studies done 20 years ago. They also are interested in comparing vegetation in desert remnants to that in residential areas, parks, golf courses and vacant lots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You can help preserve our natural environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can participate in this study by comparing schoolyard and\/or backyard data to desert remnant data and sharing this information with CAP LTER scientists. You may also decide to correlate your vegetation studies with the Ecology Explorers\u2019 bird and insect studies.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"uds-section bg-color bg-gray-1 \" ><div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-0\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mt-0 anchor-menu-target\" id=\"study\">Study the vegetation in our ecosystem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why study vegetation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"uds-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>Plants form the basic foundation of food webs and support other life forms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Native plants have unique adaptations for living in desert environments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Non-native plants have different requirements (soil, water, nutrients) than native plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The vegetation can influence the kinds of animals that are attracted to the area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vegetation can be a sensitive indicator of change in local or regional environments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vegetation can have an impact on local climate and water use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What vegetation should we study?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The items most commonly found in a schoolyard include grass, trees, shrubs, cacti and ground cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does vegetation tell us about the urban environment?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Vegetation tells us about other environmental factors such as nutrient or water availability. Differences between residential areas and desert remnants tells us about human behavior and decisions to alter the landscape. Identifying non-native vegetation contributes to understanding similarities and differences between animal populations in desert remnants and residential areas. There may be many factors that help to explain why certain types of vegetation are planted in particular areas. Not all residential areas are alike, so it is also worthwhile to compare differences among schoolyards and backyards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What materials will you need?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"uds-list wp-block-list\">\n<li>Map of your school<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pencil<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data sheet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protractor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ruler<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Metric tape measure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Metric measuring wheel (optional)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/study.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/study.jpg 360w, https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/study-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mt-0 anchor-menu-target\" id=\"protocols\">Vegetation protocols<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to survey schoolyard vegetation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>a). Size of yard: measure perimeter, use geometry to calculate area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>b). Estimate the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/EstimatingPercentagesVegetation.pdf\">percentage of landcover<\/a>&nbsp;in your study area. Record your findings on the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/SiteHabitatDescriptVeg.pdf\">habitat description data sheet<\/a>. You will need to do this before entering data into the CAP LTER database. <strong>You only need to do this once per area of study.<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-4\">c). Record the number, identity, location and size of trees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"uds-list wp-block-list is-style-steplist-maroon\">\n<li>Count trees, give ID numbers to the trees you will be measuring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify species (mesquite) or category (palm)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measure circumference at breast height (CBH)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Estimate height<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Estimate size of canopy<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-4\">d). Record the number, identity, location and size of cacti<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"uds-list wp-block-list is-style-steplist-maroon\">\n<li>Count cacti, give ID numbers to the cacti you will be measuring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify species<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measure circumference (CBH) for tall cacti and area covered for smaller cacti<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measure height: for small cactus use a tape measure, for large cactus estimate following procedure for trees<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-4\">e.) Record the number, location and size of shrubs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"uds-list wp-block-list is-style-steplist-maroon\">\n<li>Count shrubs, give ID numbers to shrubs you will be measuring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify species<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use tape measure to measure height and canopy size<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-7\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mt-0 anchor-menu-target\" id=\"key\">Vegetation identification key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Identification key for study of vegetation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Included here is a key to common desert plants that are found in the Sonoran Desert and may be used in \u201cdesert landscaping\u201d and a list with descriptions of common ornamental plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may wish to create your own \u201ckey\u201d for plants around your schoolyard as they may be a combination of ornamental and desert plants. You might wish to contact local landscape architects or nurseries for help in identifying your plants.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cactus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barrel cactus. Large plant (0.5-3 m high). Barrel shaped. Vertical ribs.<\/h4>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/06\/barrel-cactus.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-495\" style=\"width:300px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"uds-list wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Ferocactus acanthodes<\/em> (Compass barrel cactus). None of the spines are hooked.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Ferocactus wislizeni <\/em>(Fishhook barrel cactus). Some of the spines are hooked.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cholla cactus.&nbsp;Cylindrical stems, many branches.<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"109\" src=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/06\/Capture-2024-06-25-144048.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-496\" style=\"width:300px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"uds-list wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa<\/em>&nbsp;(buckhorn cholla). End joints 2 cm or more in diameter. Joints do not fall off and there are no joints scattered under plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Cylindropuntia arbuscula<\/em>&nbsp;(pencil cholla). End joints 7-10 mm in diameter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Cylindropuntia bigelovii<\/em>&nbsp;(teddy bear cholla). Fruits do not grow in chains. End joints short and very easily dislodged. May be joints scattered around underneath plant. Can be up to 6 feet tall (~1.8 m).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Cylindropuntia fulgida<\/em>&nbsp;(chain fruit cholla). Fruits grow in chains. End joints longer and may be dislodged but not as easily. Can be up to 12 feet tall (~3.6 m).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Cylindropuntia leptocaulis<\/em>&nbsp;(desert Christmas cactus). End joints 3-5 mm in diameter and 2.5-7.5 mm long. Plant less than 1 m high. May have red fruit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hedgehog cactus<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"99\" src=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/06\/Capture-2024-06-25-144742.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-498\" style=\"width:300px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"uds-list wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Echinocereus engelmannii<\/em>&nbsp;(Engelmann\u2019s hedgehog cactus). Vertical ribs. Plant small. Usually less than 0.5 m high. Stems single jointed. Grows vertically. Plant looks very spiny.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pincushion cactus<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"60\" src=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/06\/Capture-2024-06-25-145040.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-499\" style=\"width:297px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"uds-list wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Mammillaria grahamii <\/em>(Arizona fishhook cactus). Vertical ribs. Small round cactus. Spines are hooked (like a fishhook).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prickly pear cactus&nbsp;Stems flat and broad.<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/06\/Capture-2024-06-25-145125.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-500\" style=\"width:297px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"uds-list wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Opuntia basilaris<\/em> (beavertail cactus). Plants without spines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Opuntia chlorotica<\/em> (pancake prickly pear). All of the long spines on the flat surface of the stems point downward. Most stems are more round than oblong. Spines 2-4 cm long.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Opuntia engelmannii <\/em>(Engelmann\u2019s prickly pear). Joints can be more than 25 cm long. Joints more oblong than round. Spines 2-4 cm long. Usually does not grow close to ground. Spines equally distributed between top and bottom halves of joints.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Opuntia phaeacantha<\/em> (brown-spined prickly pear or sprawling prickly pear). Joints 15-25 cm long. Joints more oblong than round. Spines 5-6 cm long. Most of longer spines are on top half of joints. Grows close to ground.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Saguaro cactus<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"287\" src=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/06\/Capture-2024-06-25-145306.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-501\" style=\"width:300px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"uds-list wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Carnegiea gigantea<\/em>&nbsp;(saguaro). Vertical ribs. Stem is much taller than wide (at least 10 times). Very massive. One main trunk with the possibility of several branches high up on the trunk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ocotillo&nbsp;(Not actually a cactus but may be confused as one. Actually a shrub.)<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"173\" src=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/06\/Vegetation-Ocotillo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-502\" style=\"width:295px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<ul class=\"uds-list wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Fouquieria splendens<\/em>&nbsp;(ocotillo)&nbsp;Up to 6 m tall, vertical branches joining at ground. Many spines along branches. Leaves green, oval, up to 5 cm. long. Most of the year canes are leafless.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>Species<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Description<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Acacia greggii<\/em>&nbsp;(catclaw acacia)<\/td><td>Spines very curved, like a cat\u2019s claw.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Parkinsonia florida<\/em>&nbsp;(blue palo verde)<\/td><td>Bark\/branches blue-green, leaflets 4-8 cm long, usually 3 or less pairs of leaflets per stem.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Parkinsonia microphylla<\/em>&nbsp;(foothills palo verde)<\/td><td>Bark\/branches yellow-green. Leaflets very tiny (3 mm long or less). Usually 4 to 8 pairs of leaflets per stem.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Parkinsonia aculeata<\/em>&nbsp;(Mexican palo verde)<\/td><td>Bark and\/or young branches yellow-green. Main leaf stems flattened and 10 cm long or longer. Leaflets alternate. Spines in clusters of three.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Olneya tesota<\/em>&nbsp;(ironwood)<\/td><td>Medium-sized tree, up to 9 m tall. Trunk up to 45 cm in diameter. Leaflets and bark grayish. Bark may be stringy. Spines not yellow and may be slightly curved.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Prosopis velutina<\/em>&nbsp;(velvet mesquite)<\/td><td>Small tree, up to 3 m tall. Leaflets and bark not gray, spines yellowish, not curved. Bark not stringy. Branches grow in a zig-zag pattern.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shrubs <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>Characteristics<\/strong><\/th><th>Go to<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Leaves absent or obscure<\/td><td><a href=\"#ii\">Go to II<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Leaves linear, sides parallel (like a blade of grass)<\/td><td><a href=\"#iii\">Go to III<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Leaves triangular (deltoid)<\/td><td><a href=\"#iv\">Go to IV<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Everything else<\/td><td><a href=\"#v\">Go to V<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading anchor-menu-target\" id=\"ii\">II<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong><strong>Species<\/strong><\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Description<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Ephreda&nbsp;<\/em>sp.<br><em>Ephedra fasciculata<\/em>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<em>Ephedra torreyana&nbsp;<\/em>|&nbsp;<em>Ephedra trifurca<\/em>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<em>Ephedra viridis<\/em><\/td><td>1 m tall. Scale-like leaves, when present. Stems are yellow-green. Stems jointed.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Fouquieria splendens<\/em>&nbsp;(ocotillo)<\/td><td>Leaves green, oval, up to 5 cm long. Leafless most of the year. Many spines on stems.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Krameria grayi<\/em>&nbsp;(white ratany)<\/td><td>Up to 0.5 m tall. Leaves gray, finely hairy, narrow, up to 12 mm long.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading anchor-menu-target\" id=\"iii\">III<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong><strong>Characteristics<\/strong><\/strong><\/th><th>Go to<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Leaves hairy<\/td><td><a href=\"#a\">Go to A<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Leaves not hairy<\/td><td><a href=\"#b\">Go to B<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading anchor-menu-target\" id=\"a\">A<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong><strong><strong>Species<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Description<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Hymenoclea salsola<\/em>&nbsp;(burro brush, cheeseweed)<\/td><td>Leaves, dark green, very slender, lower leaves have 3 or more threadlike divisions, up to 7.6 cm long. Foliage has a cheesy odor when crushed.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Leaves not hairy<\/td><td><a href=\"#b\">Go to B<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading anchor-menu-target\" id=\"b\">B<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong><strong><strong>Species<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Description<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Atriplex canescens<\/em>&nbsp;(four-wing saltbush)<\/td><td>Up to 2.5 m but mostly 1.2 m. Leaves gray green, narrow up to 5 cm long.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Baccharis salicifolia<\/em>&nbsp;(seep willow)<\/td><td>Up to 3.5 m high. Leaves dark green, shiny, waxy, sticky, lance-shaped, toothed, up to 15 cm long and 12 mm wide.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Baccharis sarothroides<\/em>&nbsp;(desert broom)<\/td><td>Up to 3 m tall. Leaves bright green, smooth, sticky, up to 4 cm long and 3 mm wide. Growth resembles a broom.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Bebbia juncea<\/em>&nbsp;(chuckwalla\u2019s delight)<\/td><td>Up to 1.2 m tall. Leaves (when present) dark green, sparse, linear to lance shaped, lobed, rough, hairy, up to 5 cm long.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Gutierrezia sarothrae<\/em>&nbsp;(broom snakeweed)<\/td><td>Up to 1.2 m tall. Leaves dark green, very narrow, up to 3 mm wide and 6.4 cm long.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading anchor-menu-target\" id=\"iv\">IV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong><strong>Characteristics<\/strong><\/strong><\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Ambrosia deltoidea<\/em>&nbsp;(triangle bursage)<\/td><td>Up to 1.2 m tall. Leaves gray green above, white and hairy underneath, finely toothed, up to 3 cm long.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Viguiera parishii<\/em>&nbsp;(parish viguiera)<\/td><td>Up to 1.2 m tall. Leaves dark green, hairy, toothed, crinkled, up to 4 cm long. Grayish bark.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading anchor-menu-target\" id=\"v\">V<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong><strong>Characteristics<\/strong><\/strong><\/th><th>Go to<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Leaves serrate (toothed) or divided\/compound AND hairy<\/td><td><a href=\"#a1\">Go to A<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Leaves serrate (toothed) or divided\/compound and NOT hairy<\/td><td><a href=\"#b1\">Go to B<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Leaves simple and entire (not toothed) AND hairy<\/td><td>G<a href=\"#c1\">o to C<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Leaves simple and entire (not toothed) and NOT hairy<\/td><td><a href=\"#d1\">Go to D<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading anchor-menu-target\" id=\"a1\">A<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong><strong><strong>Species<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Description<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Ambrosia ambrosioides<\/em>&nbsp;(canyon ragweed)<\/td><td>Up to 1 m tall. Leaves green, hairy, elongated to lance-shaped, toothed, up to 12.7 cm long and 2.5 cm wide.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Hibiscus denudatus<\/em>&nbsp;(rock hibiscus)<\/td><td>Up to 1 m tall. Leaves yellow-green, densely hairy, oval to elliptical shaped, toothed and up to 3 cm long.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Hyptis emoryi<\/em>&nbsp;(desert lavendar)<\/td><td>Up to 4.5 m tall. Leaves gray-green, oval shaped, hairy, toothed, up to 6 cm long.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading anchor-menu-target\" id=\"b1\">B<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong><strong><strong>Species<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Description<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Celtis pallida<\/em>&nbsp;(desert hackberry)<\/td><td>Up to 6 m tall. Leaves dark green, elliptical to oval, toothed or untoothed, up to 4 cm long and 19 mm wide.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Trixis californica<\/em>&nbsp;(trixis)<\/td><td>Up to 1 m tall. Leaves dark green, lance-shaped, smooth edge or toothed, up to 5 cm long and 12 mm wide.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading anchor-menu-target\" id=\"c1\">C<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong><strong><strong>Species<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Description<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Trixis californica<\/em>&nbsp;(trixis)<\/td><td>Up to 1 m tall. Leaves dark green, lance-shaped, smooth edge or toothed, up to 5 cm long and 12 mm wide.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading anchor-menu-target\" id=\"d1\">D<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong><strong><strong>Species<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Description<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Atriplex polcarpa<\/em>&nbsp;(little-leaf saltbush)<\/td><td>Resembles&nbsp;<em>Atriplex canescens<\/em>&nbsp;(see part III B), but leaves are small.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Celtis pallida<\/em>&nbsp;(desert hackberry)<\/td><td>Up to 6 m tall. Leaves dark green, elliptical to oval, toothed or untoothed, up to 4 cm long and 19 mm wide.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Larrea tridentata<\/em>&nbsp;(creosote bush)<\/td><td>Up to 3 m tall. Leaves dark green to yellow-green, waxy, resinous, three leaflets joined at base, up to 10 mm long. Strongly scented.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Lycium<\/em>&nbsp;sp. (wolfberry)<\/td><td>Branches usually spiny. Leaves in clusters. Leaves shaped from nearly cylindrical to flat. Leaves fleshy.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Simmondsia chinensis<\/em>&nbsp;(jojoba)<\/td><td>Up to 3.5 m tall. Leaves grayish green, leathery, thick and elliptical, up to 4 cm long.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Ziziphus obtusifolia<\/em>&nbsp;(gray thorn)<\/td><td>Spine branches. Leaves alternate and in clusters. Leaves oblong or elliptcal.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Trixis californica<\/em>&nbsp;(trixis)<\/td><td>Up to 1 m tall. Leaves dark green, lance-shaped, smooth edged or toothed, up to 5 cm long and 12.7 mm wide.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2 my-6 my-xl-12\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-8\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mt-0 anchor-menu-target\" id=\"data\">Vegetation data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Record your data using the sheet outlines below<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Data Sheet: Need a data sheet to record your data? Choose a link below to get a printable data sheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"uds-list wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/SiteHabitatDescriptVeg.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Site and Habitat Description<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/VegetationDataSheet.pdf\">Vegetation Data Sheet<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-485","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"uds_featured_image":null,"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Vegetation Activities | Central Arizona\u2013Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Activities for teachers to use to teach their students about vegetation.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Vegetation Activities | Central Arizona\u2013Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Activities for teachers to use to teach their students about vegetation.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Central Arizona\u2013Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-30T20:34:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/study.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"360\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"180\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/vegetation-activities\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/vegetation-activities\\\/\",\"name\":\"Vegetation Activities | Central Arizona\u2013Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/vegetation-activities\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/vegetation-activities\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/33\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/study.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-25T22:48:15+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-30T20:34:50+00:00\",\"description\":\"Activities for teachers to use to teach their students about vegetation.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/vegetation-activities\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/vegetation-activities\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/vegetation-activities\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/33\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/study.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/33\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/study.jpg\",\"width\":360,\"height\":180,\"caption\":\"study\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/vegetation-activities\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Vegetation Activities\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/\",\"name\":\"Central Arizona\u2013Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/globalfutures.asu.edu\\\/caplter\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Vegetation Activities | Central Arizona\u2013Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research","description":"Activities for teachers to use to teach their students about vegetation.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Vegetation Activities | Central Arizona\u2013Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research","og_description":"Activities for teachers to use to teach their students about vegetation.","og_url":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/","og_site_name":"Central Arizona\u2013Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research","article_modified_time":"2025-09-30T20:34:50+00:00","og_image":[{"width":360,"height":180,"url":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/study.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/","url":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/","name":"Vegetation Activities | Central Arizona\u2013Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/study.jpg","datePublished":"2024-06-25T22:48:15+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-30T20:34:50+00:00","description":"Activities for teachers to use to teach their students about vegetation.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/study.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/09\/study.jpg","width":360,"height":180,"caption":"study"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/vegetation-activities\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Vegetation Activities"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/#website","url":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/","name":"Central Arizona\u2013Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/485","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=485"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/485\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/caplter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}