Indigenous, Desert Appropriate and Recommended Plant Lists

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Indigenous, Desert Appropriate and Recommended Plant Lists

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Indigenous List | Desert Appropriate List | Recommended List

Indigenous Plant List

This list was compiled by the City of Scottsdale to be used in conjunction with the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESLO) regulations in the Zoning Ordinance. These plants may be used for revegetation in Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) areas and in right-of-way as well, as any landscape areas.

The location and height of plants that are not on this list are regulated by ESLO (Section 6.1070.G.1.i in the Zoning Ordinance). The plants on this list are indigenous to Scottsdale but may not be appropriate for all locations. Plants listed below are generally found within the following elevation ranges: 1,500 - 2,500 feet are designated by an equal sign (=); 2,500 - 3,000 feet designated by a percent sign (%) and 3,000 plus feet designated by a number sign (#). The choice of plants for a specific site should be based upon whether the plants occur naturally within the area where the property is located.

The Zoning Administrator in the Planning, Neighborhood and Transportation Division may add plants to this list based upon recommendations from city staff. Private consultants may suggest to staff that plants be added or deleted from the list.
Plants that are protected by the Native Plant Ordinance , Chapter 46 of the City Code and Section 6.1070 of the Zoning Ordinance, are designated with an asterisk ( * ).

Plants designated with a plus ( + ) are restricted according to Water Resources Ordinance No. 3161 and must receive prior approval from the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the City of Scottsdale Water Resources Department before
they may be lawfully planted. The indigenous plants on this list are also, in general, low water users according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Please check with staff as to where a variety of a specific plant species may be indigenous. (updated 11-2-2009)

TREES
* Acacia constricta * Acacia greggi * Berberis haematocarpa Berberis harrisoniana * Canotia holocantha * Celtis pallida Celtis reticulata * Cercidium (Parkinsonia) floridum * Cercidium (Parkinsonia) microphylum * Chilopsis linearis + * Juniperous monosperma * Olneya tesota + * Populus fremontii * Prosopis velutina * Quercus turbinella Rhus ovata Vauquelinea californica	# % # % # % # % = % # = % # = % # = % # % # # = # = % # # # #	White Thorn Acacia Cat Claw Acacia Red Barberry Harrison Barberry Crucifixion Thorn Desert Hackberry Net-Leaf Hackberry Blue Palo Verde Foothill Palo Verde Desert Willow One-Seeded Juniper Ironwood Cottonwood Arizona Mesquite Scrub Oak Sugar Sumac Arizona Rosewood
SUCCULENTS / CACTI
Agave deserti Agave murpheyi Agave palmeri * Carnegiea gigantea Dasylirion wheeleri Echinocereus engelmannii cactus * Ferocactus cylindraceus Barrel * Ferocactus wislizenii Barrel * Fouquieria splendens Mammilaria microcarpa Cactus Opuntia engelmannii Opuntia fulgida Opuntia leptocaulis Opuntia phaecantha Opuntia versicolor Peniocereus greggii Yucca baccata * Yucca elata	= = % # = % # # = % # = % # = % = % # = % % # = % =% = % # = % # = % # = % % #	Desert Agave Murphey's Agave Palmer's Agave Saguaro Desert Spoon Hedgehog Cactus Compass Barrel Fishhook Barrel Ocotillo Fishhook Cactus Engelmann’s Prickly-Pear Chainfruit Cholla Desert Christmas Cholla Sprawling Prickly-Pear Staghorn Cholla Desert Night-Blooming Cereus Banana Yucca Soaptree Yucca
SHRUBS / BUSHES
Ambrosia ambrosioides Ambrosia deltoidea Ambrosia dumosa Anisacanthus therberi Atriplex canescens Atriplex lentiformis Atriplex polycarpa Calliandra eriophylla Cassia (Senna) covesii Cercis occidentalis Cercocarpus betuloides Chrysothamnus nauseosus Datura wrightii Dodonaea viscosa Encelia farinosa Encelia frutescens Ephedra aspera Ericameria laricifolia Eriogonum fasciculatum Gutierrezia sarothrae Hyptis emoryi Justicia californica Koeberinia spinosa Larrea tridentata (divaricata) Lotus rigidus Lycium andersonii Lycium fremontii Pluchea sericea Simmondsia chinesis Trixis california Vigueria deltoidea Ziziphus obtusifolia	= % = % = = = = = % # = % # # = % # = % % # = % # # = % # % # % # % # % # = % # = % % # % = % # = % # % # = % # % # = % # = %	Giant Bursage or Canyon Ragweed Triangle-Leaf Bursage or Bursage White Bursage Desert Honeysuckle Fourwing Saltbush Quailbrush Desert Saltbush Fairy Duster Desert Senna Western Redbud Brich-Leaf Mountain Mahogany Rabbitbush Sacred Datura Hopbush Brittlebush Green Brittlebush Mormon Tea Turpentine Bush Flat-Top Buckwheat Snakeweed Desert Lavender Chuparosa Crucifixion Thorn Creosote Bush Deer Vetch Desert Wolfberry Fremont Wolfberry Arrow Weed Jojoba Bush Trixis Goldeneye Greythorn
ANNUALS / PERENNIALS / VINES
Abronia villosa Amsinckia intermedia Baileya multiradiata Cucurbita digitata Dichelostemma pulchellum Dyssodia pentachaeta Eriophyllum lanosum Eschscholzia mexicana Gaillardia aristada Gilia latifolia Janusia gracilis Lasthenia chrysostoma Lesquerella gordoni Lupinus sparsiflorus Machaeranthera asteroides Melampodium leucanthum Orthocarpus purpurascens Penstemon parryi Penstemon pseudospectabilis Phacelia campanularia Phacelia crenulata Platystemon californicus Proboscidea parviflora Psilostrophe cooperi Plantago purshii Rafinesquia neomexicana Salvia columbariae Senecio salignus Sphaeralcea ambigua Stephanomeria pauciflora	= % % # % # % # % # = %	Sand Verbena Fiddleneck Desert Marigold Coyote Gourd Desert Hyacinth Dogweed/Golden Dyssodia Woolly Daisy Mexican Gold Poppy Gaillardia Starflower Slender Janusia Vine Goldfields Bladderpod Mustard Desert Lupine Purple Aster Blackfoot Daisy Owl’s Clover Parry’s Penstemon Arizona Penstemon Desert Bluebell Scorpionweed Cream Cups Devil’s Claw Paper Flower Indian Wheat Desert Chicory Desert Chia Willow Groundsel Desert Globemallow Desert Straw
GRASSES
Aristida purpurea Bouteloua aristidoides Bouteloua curtipendula Erioneuron pulchellum Hilaria berlangeri	= % = % # = % # = % # = %	Purple Threeawn Needle Grama Sideoats Grama Fluffgrass Curly Mesquite

Desert Appropriate Plant List

Printable list (pdf/19kb/3pp)

These plants can be used in landscaped areas that are not enclosed, but are separated from Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) by low walls, paved walkways, headers, or similar physical barriers. If landscaped areas are not physically separated from Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) areas, the plants that may be used shall come from the Indigenous Plant List above. Plants on this list may be used in areas that are enclosed by a three (3) foot high, or greater, opaque wall. (updated 11-02-09)

TREES
Acacia berlandieri Acacia cochliacantha Acacia crassifolia Acacia farnesiana Acacia pennatula Acacia rigidula Acacia schaffneri Ceiba aesculifolia Cercidium (Parkinsonia) sonorae Condalia globosa Jatropha cinerea Lysiloma watsonii divaricatum		Guajillo Boat-spine Acacia Butterfly Acacia Sweet Acacia Feather Acacia Chaparro Prieta Twisted Acacia Silk Cotton Tree Sonoran Palo Verde Globosa Blue Wood Leafy Limberbush Rincon Feathertree
SUCCULENTS / CACTI
Agave colorata Agave geminiflora Agave lechugilla Agave lophantha Agave ocahui Agave parryi huachucensis Agave parryi truncate Agave victoriae-reginae Chrysactina Mexicana Dasylirion acrotriche Dasylirion longissima Dasylirion texanum Echinocactus grusonii Eurphorbia antisyphilitica Hesperaloe nocturna Nolina bigelovii Nolina lingifolia Nolina matapensis Nolina microcarpa Opuntia basilaris Opuntia violaceae Stenocereus thurberi Yucca schidigera Yucca schottii Yucca vallida Yucca whipplei		Mescal Ceniza Twin-Flowered Agave Lechugilla Holly Agave Ocahui Agave Huachuca Agave Gentry's Agave Queen Victoria Agave Domianita Daisy Green Desert Spoon Toothless Sotol Texas Sotol Golden Barrel Cactus Candelia Night-Blooming Hesperaloe Bigelow Nolina Mexican Grass Tree Tree Bear Grass Bear Grass Beavertail Cactus Purple PRicky Pear Organ Pipe Cactus Mohave Yucca Mountain Yucca Tree Yucca Our Lord's Candle
SHRUBS / BUSHES
Acacia angustissima Acacia cultiformis Aloysia lycioides Aloysia wrightii Anisacanthus andersonii Anisacanthus puperulus Anisacanthus quadrifidus wrightii Asclepias linaria Asclepias subulata Berberis haematocarpa Brongniartia alamonsana Buddleia marrubifolia Busera fagaroides Busera hindsiana Caesalpinia pulmia Calliandria califonica Calliandria peninsularis Condalia correllii Cordia parvifolia Cordia sonorae Dalea bicolor argyrea Dalea pulchra Dalea wislizenii Erythrina flabelliformis Eysenhardtia orthocarpa Fallugia paradoxa Forestiera acumianata parvifolia Jatropha cardiophylla Justicia candicans Lycium brevipes Maytenus phyllanthowes Muhlenbergia dumosa Muhlenbergia rigens Rhus choriophylla Rhus microphylla Rhus trilobatta Rhus virens Ruellia californica Ruellia peninsularis Senna wislizenii Solanum hindsianum Sophora arizonica Tecoma stans Vallesia baileyana Zauschneria californica		Fern Acacia Knife Acacia White Bush Wright's Bee Bush Magdelena Palm Canyon Red Chihuhuan Honeysuckle Flame anisacanthus Pineleaf Milkweed Desert Milkweed Red Mahonia Alamos Pea Tree Woolly Butterfly Bush White Bark Tree Red Elephant Tree Copper Caesalpinia Baja Fairy Duster La Paz Fairy Duster Mexican Blue Wood Little-Leaf Cordia Sonoran Cordia Silver Dalea Bush Dalea Wislizenii's Dalea Arizona Coral Bean Kidneywood Apache Plume Desert Olive Limberbush Red Honeysuckle Mexican Wolfberry Mangle Dulce Bamboo Muhly Deer Grass Chihuahuan Leather-Leaf Little-Leaf Desert Sumac Squaw Bush Huachuca Sumac Sonoran Desert Ruellia Baja Ruellia Shrubby Senna Blue Solamun Shrub Arizona Mescal Bean Narrow-Leaf Yellow Bells Vallesia Hummingbird Trumpet Bush
GROUND COVER
Ageratum corymbosum Dalea greggii Pelisiphonia brachysiphon Stachys coccinea Tagetes palmeri Zinnia acerosa		Desert Ageratum Trailing Indigo Bush Rock Trumpet Texas Betony Mt. Lemmon Marigold Desert Zinnia

Recommended Plants for Enclosed Areas

Printable List (pdf/15kb/4pp)

These plants may be used in areas enclosed by a three foot or higher opaque fence, such as back yards, and court yards. This plant list is not all inclusive, other non-indigenous plants may be used, but if a plant has the potential to reach a mature height greater than twenty (20) feet it is not allowed. (updated 11-02-09)

TREES
Acacia aneura Acacia caven Acacia coulteri Acacia eburnean Acacia peuce Acacia saligna Acacia tortillis Acacia willardina Bauhiniia lunarioides Callistemon rigidus Cercidium (Parkinsonia) Praecox Cordia boisseri Diospyres texana Ethretia anacua Eucalyptus torquata Goeffroea decorticans Malpighia isoloba Parkinsonia (Cercidium) hybrids Piscidia mollis Pittosporum phillyraeoides Sophora sedundiflora		Mulga Espin-Caven Courlter's Acacia Arabian Acacia Waddywood Weeping Acacia Umbrella Thorn Palo Blanco Chihuahuan OrchidTree Stiff Bottlebrush Palo Brea Texas Olive Texas Persimmon Sandpaper Tree Coral Gum Chilean Palo Verde Sonora Manihot Desert Museum, Sonoran Emerald and AZT Gray Sonora Pea Tree Willow Pittosporum Tezas Mountain Laurel
SUCCELENTS/CACTI/FOCAL PLANTS
Agave Americana Agave bracteosa Agave salmiana Agave vilmoriniana Agave weberii Aloe dawaei Aloe feros Aloe saponaria Aloe striata Aloe vera Brahia armata Butia capitata Creus peruvianus Hechtia texana Hesperaloe funifera Hesperaloe parviflora Opuntia acicularis Opuntia ficus-indica Opuntia microdasys Pachycereus marginatus Pachypodium lamerei Pedilanthus macrocarpus Puya chilensis Yucca carmerosa Yucca faxoniana Yucca glauca Yucca rigida Yucca rostrata Yucca torreyi		Century Plant Squid Agave Pulque Agave Octopus Agave Weber's Agave Dawe's Aloe Cape Aloe African Aloe Coral Aloe Aloe Vera Mexican Blue Palm Pindo Palm Peruvian Apple Cactus False Agave Giant Hesperaloe Red Yucca Bristly Prickly Pear Indian Fig Cactus Bunny Ears Mexican Fence Cactus Madagascar Palm Candelilla Chilean Bromeliad Giant Dagger Tree Faxon Yucca Narrow-Leaf Yucca Blue Yucca Chihuahuan Tree Yucca Torrey Yucca
Shrubs/bushes/vines
Acacia craspedocarpa Acacia karroo Acacia longifolia Acacia notabilis Antigonon leptopus Atriplex nummularia Bauhinia lunarioides Bauhinia punctata Caesalpinia gilliesii Caesalpinia Mexicana Caesalpinia pulcherrima Calotropis procera Cercis canadensis mexicana Convolvulus cnerorum Cordia myxa Euphorbia rigida Feijoa sellowiana Gossypium thurberi Guaiacum angustifolium Heteromesles arbutifolia Lantana velutina Leucophyllum canaduim Leucophyllum frutescens Leucophyllum laevigatum Leucophyllum langmaniae Leucophyllum prunosum Leucophyllum zygophyllum Lobelia laxiflora Mimosa dysocarpa Osteomeles anthyllidifolia Perovskia atriplicifolia Russelia equesetiformis Russelia polyedra Salvia greggii Salvia leucantha Senna aphylla Senna corymbosa Senna lindheimeriana Senna pallida Senna splendida Tecoma alata Tecoma garrocha Tecomaria capensis		Waxleaf Acacia Karroo Thorn Sydney Golden Wattle Notable Acacia Coral Vine Chamisa Chihuahuan ORchid Shrub Red Bauhinia Yellow Bird-of-Paradise Mexican Bird-of-Paradise Red Bird-of-Paradise Sodom Apple Mexican Redbud Bush Morning Glory Assyrian Plum South African Euphorbia Pineapple Guava Wild Cotton Texas Guaiacum Toyon White lantana Ceniza Texas Ranger Chihuahuan Rain Sage Cinnamon Sage Sierra Bouquet Blue Rain Sage Red Mexican Lobelia Velvet-pod Mimosa Osteomeles Russian Sage Coral Fountain Wild Coral Fountain Red Chihuahuan Sage Purple Mexican Bush SAge Argentine Desert Senna Flowery SEnna Velvet-Leaf Senna Two-Flowered Senna Golden Wonder Senna Orange Bells Argentine Tecoma Cape Honeysuckle
GROUNDCOVER
Acacia redolens Astericus maritimus Atriplex semibaccata Baccharis pilularis Bulbine frutescens Dalea capitata Enchylaena tomentosa Muhlinbergia capillaries Myoporum parviflorum Oenothera berlandieri Oenothera stubbei Pentzia incana Rosemarinum officinalis Salvia chamaedryoides Salvia clevelandia Salvia dorrii Salvia farinacea Salvia microphylla Satolina chamaecyperissus Santolina virens Tagetes lucida Verbena peruviana Verbena pulchella Verbena rigida Zinnia grandiflora		Prostrate Acacia Mediterranean Beach Daisy Australian Saltbush Chaparral Broom Bulbine Golden Dalea Ruby Sheep Bush Pink Muhly Trailing Myoporum Mexican Primrose Chihuahua Primrose Karroo Bush Rosemary Blue Chihuahuan Sage Cleveland Sage Mohave Sage Mealy Cup Sage Red Bush Sage Lavender Cotton Green Santolina Mexican Tarragon Peruvian Verbena Moss Verbena Sandpaper Verbena Rocky Mountain Zinnia

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