U.S. Geological Survey

Southwest Biological Science Center

2255 N. Gemini Drive

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

In cooperation with the University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources 

Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of

Montezuma Castle National Monument

By Cecilia A. Schmidt, Charles A. Drost, and William L. Halvorson

Open-File Report 2006-1163

November, 2006

USGS Southwest Biological Science Center

Sonoran Desert Research Station

University of Arizona

School of Natural Resources

125 Biological Sciences East

Tucson, Arizona 85721

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

National Park Service
ii

U.S. Department of the Interior

Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Mark Myers, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006

Note: This document contains information of a preliminary nature and was prepared primarily for

internal use in the U.S. Geological Survey. This information is NOT intended for use in open

literature prior to publication by the investigators named unless permission is obtained in writing from

the investigators named and from the Station Leader.

Suggested Citation

Schmidt, C. A., C. A. Drost, and W. L. Halvorson 2006. Vascular Plant and Vertebrate Inventory of

Montezuma Castle National Monument. USGS Open-File Report 2006-1163. U.S. Geological

Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Sonoran Desert Research Station, University of

Arizona, Tucson, AZ.

Printed on recycled paper

Cover photo: Montezuma Castle NM file photo 
iii

Authors 

Cecilia A. Schmidt and William L. Halvorson

USGS Southwest Biological Science Center

Sonoran Desert Research Station 

and School of Natural Resources

125 Biological Sciences East, Building 43

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona 85721

Charles A. Drost

USGS Southwest Biological Science Center

Colorado Plateau Research Station

2255 N. Gemini Drive

Flagstaff, Arizona 86001

U.S. Geological Survey SBSC Sonoran Desert Research Station Personnel 

Charles van Riper III, Station Leader

Steve P. Gloss, Ecologist

William L. Halvorson, Research Ecologist

Cecil R. Schwalbe, Ecologist

Michael R. Kunzmann, Ecologist (Emeritus)

Kathryn Thomas, Ecologist

Pamela Nagler, Physical Scientist

Phil Rosen, Ecologist

Program and Expertise Areas of USGS and UA Personnel

USGS Southwest Biological Science Center http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov

USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Sonoran Desert Research Station http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/sdrs

Fire Management

Dennis Suhre

Cori Dolan

James Feldmann

Bill Halvorson

Invasive Species Research

Patricia Guertin

Jim Malusa

Phil Rosen

Cecil Schwalbe

Brent Sigafus

Dennis Suhre

Kathryn Thomas

Inventory & Monitoring

Patricia Guertin

Bill Halvorson

Pamela Nagler

Brian Powell

Cecilia Schmidt

Vegetation Mapping & Ecology

Patricia Guertin

Bill Halvorson

Jim Malusa

Kathryn Thomas

Administration & Outreach

Kate Leonard

Jennifer Meador

Wendy Parrish

Emily Sherbrooke

Charles van Riper III

Avian Ecology

Claire Crow

Glenn Johnson

Chris O’Brien

Brian Powell

Charles van Riper III

Data Management 

Brent Sigafus

Ecology of Amphibians & Reptiles

Kevin Baker

Cristina Jones

Dave Prival

Phil Rosen

Cecil Schwalbe

Brent Sigafus
iv
v

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................................vii

Executive Summary..................................................................................................................................ix

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Biological Inventories................................................................................1

Project Overview.................................................................................................................................1

Report Format and Data Organization ...................................................................................................1

Chapter 2: Monument Overview ...............................................................................................................3

Monument Area and History ................................................................................................................3

Natural Resources Overview ................................................................................................................3

Natural Resource Management Issues...................................................................................................5

Chapter 3: Plants.......................................................................................................................................7

Data Used to Create Plant Species List..................................................................................................7

Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................................7

Inventory Completeness.......................................................................................................................8

Chapter 4: Fishes.......................................................................................................................................9

Data Used to Create Fish Species List...................................................................................................9

Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................................9

Inventory Completeness.......................................................................................................................9

Chapter 5: Amphibians and Reptiles .......................................................................................................11

Data Used to Create Amphibian and Reptile Species List .....................................................................11

Results and Discussion.......................................................................................................................11

Inventory Completeness.....................................................................................................................11

Chapter 6: Birds......................................................................................................................................13

Data Used to Create Bird Species List.................................................................................................13

Results and Discussion ......................................................................................................................13

Inventory Completeness.....................................................................................................................13

Chapter 7: Mammals...............................................................................................................................15

Data Used to Create Mammal Species List..........................................................................................15

Results and Discussion ......................................................................................................................15

Inventory Completeness.....................................................................................................................15

Chapter 8: Management Implications......................................................................................................17

Adjacent Land Development and Water ..............................................................................................17

Non-native Species and Grasslands.....................................................................................................17

Bats..................................................................................................................................................17

Chapter 9: Additional Inventories and Research .....................................................................................19

Fish ..................................................................................................................................................19

Amphibians and Reptiles ...................................................................................................................19

Chapter 10: Literature Cited...................................................................................................................21
vi

List of Tables

Table 1. Summary of vascular plant and vertebrate inventories at Montezuma Castle NM.......................................ix

Table 1.1 Museums that were queried (in 1998) for vertebrate voucher specimens with “Arizona” and “Montezuma

Castle National Monument” in the collection location...........................................................................................2

Table 2.1. Average monthly climate data for Montezuma Castle NM, 1938–2005.........................................................3

List of Figures

Figure 2.1. Location of Montezuma Castle NM in Arizona and aerial photographs of the Castle 

and Well units..........................................................................................................................................................4

List of Appendices

Appendix A. Plant species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM, Castle unit ...........................................23

Appendix B. Plant species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM, Well unit..............................................34

Appendix C. Fish species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM................................................................43

Appendix D. Amphibian and reptile species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM...................................44

Appendix E. Bird species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM................................................................45

Appendix F. Mammal species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM .........................................................50

Appendix G. Native fish species that have been extirpated (E) and non-native fish that no longer occur (NP) at

Montezuma Castle NM .........................................................................................................................................52

Appendix H. Amphibian and reptile species that may occur (P) or have been extirpated (E) at 

Montezuma Castle NM .........................................................................................................................................52

Appendix I. Bird species that may occur at Montezuma Castle NM ...........................................................................53

Appendix J. Mammal species that may occur at Montezuma Castle NM....................................................................55

Appendix K. Voucher specimens from Montezuma Castle NM..................................................................................55
vii

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Superintendent Kathy Davis and all the staff at Montezuma Castle National Monument (NM)

for their administrative support of our program. This project resulted from the collaboration of many

people at the University of Arizona (UA), the National Park Service (NPS), and the U.S. Geological

Survey (USGS) and was facilitated by the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

(DSCESU). Andy Hubbard at the Sonoran Desert Network (SDN) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M)

program and Larry Norris at the DSCESU provided administrative support for this project. Additional

administrative support was provided by Cecily Westphal of the School of Natural Resources at the

University of Arizona. Superintendent Kathy Davis played an instrumental role in this project by

providing important early initiative. 

Debbie Angell, Pamela Anning, Ryan Reese and Zuleika Valdez assisted in data entry and database

design. Special thanks to Kristen Beaupre for creating figure 2.1.

We would like to thank the numerous ecologists who have contributed their time and knowledge to

further our understanding of the flora and fauna of Montezuma Castle National Monument. Each species

list we compiled was the result of hundreds of hours of field work by these dedicated ecologists. In

particular, we acknowledge the investigators and field staff on the earlier inventory study: Peter Rowlands

and Nancy Brian (plants); Linn Montgomery, Gloria Hardwick, and Bill Leibfried (fish); Erika Nowak

(amphibians and reptiles); Laura Ellison (mammals); and Mark Sogge and Matthew Johnson (birds). 

We received reviews on earlier drafts of this report from Kathy Davis, Andy Hubbard, and Larry

Norris.

All mistakes or omissions are the responsibility of the authors. 
viii
ix

We summarize past inventory efforts for vascular

plants and vertebrates at Montezuma Castle

National Monument (NM) in Arizona. We used

data from previous research to compile complete

species lists for the monument and to assess

inventory completeness.

There have been 784 species recorded at

Montezuma Castle NM (Table 1), of which 85

(11%) are non-native. 

In each taxon-specific chapter we highlight

areas of resources that contributed to species

richness or unique species for the monument. Of

particular importance are Montezuma Well and

Beaver and Wet Beaver creeks and the surrounding

riparian vegetation, which are responsible for the

monument having one of the highest numbers of

bird species in the Sonoran Desert Network of park

units. Beaver Creek is also home to populations of

federally-listed fish species of concern. Other

important resources include the cliffs along the

creeks and around Montezuma Well (for cliff and

cave roosting bats).

Based on the review of past studies, we

believe the inventory for most taxa is nearly

complete, though some rare or elusive species will

be added with additional survey effort. We

recommend additional inventory, monitoring and

research studies.

Table 1. Summary of vascular plant and vertebrate inventories at Montezuma 

Castle NM. 

Taxonomic group Number of species recorded Number of non-native species

Plants 472 72

Fish 9 5

Amphibians and Reptiles 34 3

Birds 211 4

Mammals 58 1

Totals 784 85

Executive Summary
x
1

Project Overview

Inventory: A point-in-time effort to document the

resources present in an area. 

In the early 1990s, responding to criticism that it

lacked basic knowledge of natural resources

within parks, the National Park Service (NPS)

initiated the Inventory and Monitoring Program

(NPS 1992). The purpose of the program is to

detect long-term changes in biological resources

(NPS 1992). At the time of the program’s

inception, basic biological information, including

lists of plants and animals, was absent or

incomplete for many parks. In fact, as of 1994,

more than 80% of national parks did not have

complete inventories of major taxonomic groups

(Stohlgren et al. 1995). The plant and animal

communities and other natural resources of

“cultural parks” like Montezuma Castle National

Monument (NM) have been relatively neglected.

However, these areas protect valuable biological

communities. In many instances, the same

features that drew early humans to the area also

provide for rich biological communities, like the

extensive riparian habitat at Montezuma Castle

NM.

Species inventories have both direct and

indirect value for management of the monument.

Species lists are not only useful in resource

interpretation and facilitating visitor appreciation

of natural resources, but are also critical for

making management decisions. Knowledge of

which species are present, particularly sensitive

species, and where they occur provides for

informed planning and decision-making (e.g.,

locating new facilities). Thorough biological

inventories provide a basis for choosing

parameters to monitor and can provide baseline

data for monitoring ecological populations and

communities. In some cases, inventories may

identify or provide data related to critical

resources such as riparian areas that are valuable

both intrinsically and as habitat for species of

management interest.

An integrated, broad-based inventory of the

vascular plants and vertebrates of Montezuma

Castle NM was undertaken between 1991 and 1994

to provide information on current status, trends, and

potential management concerns of the natural

resources of the monument. Components of the

inventory included plants, fishes, amphibians and

reptiles, birds, and mammals. The work was a

collaborative effort of researchers from Northern

Arizona University and the U.S. Geological Survey

(USGS) Colorado Plateau Research Station in

Flagstaff, Arizona. This report, prepared by staff of

the University of Arizona, the USGS Sonoran

Desert Research Station in Tucson, Arizona, and the

USGS Colorado Plateau Research Station in

Flagstaff, Arizona, provides a thorough review and

update of the previous inventory work. 

Goal

The purpose of this study was to compile a

complete list of vascular plants and vertebrates from

existing sources. 

Administrative History

The study plan for this project was developed

through a cooperative agreement among the NPS,

University of Arizona (UA), and USGS. It was

funded through Task Agreement UAZ-173 (under

Desert Southwest CESU cooperative agreement

number CA 124800002).

Report Format and Data Organization

This report is intended to be useful for internal

planning and outreach, and education. We report

only common names (listed in phylogenetic

sequence) unless we reference a species that is not

listed later in an appendix; in this case we present

both common and scientific names. For each

taxonomic group we include an appendix of all

species that have been recorded in the monument

(Appendices A–F), and species that were likely

present historically or that we suspect are currently

present and may be recorded with additional survey

effort (except for plants; Appendices G–J). Species

lists are in phylogenetic sequence and include

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Biological Inventories 

at Montezuma Castle National Monument
2

taxonomic order, family, genus, species,

subspecies or variety (if applicable) and common

name. Scientific and common names used

throughout this document are current according to

accepted authorities for each taxonomic group:

Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS

2004) and the PLANTS database (USDA 2004)

for plants; Stebbins (2003) for amphibians and

reptiles; American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU

1998, 2003) for birds; and Baker et al. (2003) for

mammals. Units of measurement are presented in

accordance with the International System of Units. 

Species Conservation Designations

We indicate species conservation designations by

the following agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service (responsible for administering the

Endangered Species Act), Bureau of Land

Management, U.S. Forest Service (Region 3),

Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Partners in

Flight (a partnership of dozens of federal, state and

local governments, non-governmental organizations,

and private industry). 

Voucher Specimens

Although we did not collect voucher specimens for

vertebrates, we searched for existing vouchers from

Montezuma Castle NM in records from 23 natural

history museums (Table 1.1; see Appendix K for

results). 

Table 1.1. Museums that were queried (in 1998) for vertebrate voucher specimens with “Arizona” and 

“Montezuma Castle National Monument” in the collection location. Collections in bold-faced type had 

specimens from Montezuma Castle NM. 

Collection Collection cont.

Brigham Young University North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences

California Academy of Science Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Norman

Chicago Academy of Sciences Peabody Museum, Yale University

Cincinnati Museum of Natural History & Science Saguaro National Park

Cornell Vertebrate Collections, Cornell University Strecker Museum, Baylor University, Waco

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection

George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) Tulane Museum of Natural History

Illinois Natural History Survey U.S. National Museum

Marjorie Barrick Museum, University of Nevada-Las Vegas University of Arizona

Michigan State University Museum (East Lansing) University of Texas, Arlington 

Milwaukee Public Museum University of Texas, El Paso

Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Museum of Texas Tech University University of Colorado Museum

Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley University of Michigan

Museum of Life Sciences, Louisiana State University, Shreveport Walnut Canyon National Monument

Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas Western Archaeological and Conservation Center, Tucson

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Wupatki National Monument
3

Monument Area and History

Montezuma Castle National Monument is located

in central Arizona, approximately 6 km northeast

of the town of Camp Verde in the Verde Valley

between Flagstaff and Phoenix (Figure 2.1). The

monument was established in 1906 to protect

Sinagua culture cliff dwellings, most notably the

five-story, 20-room structure known as Montezuma

Castle, perched on a limestone cliff face

overlooking lower Beaver Creek. The monument

consists of two separate units, the Castle and Well

units, located about 8 km apart. The Well unit

protects additional Sinagua and Hohokam sites and

the large, spring-fed limestone sink (from which

the site receives its name) that has no known

parallel anywhere in the world in its depth, its

highly carbonated waters, and its uniquely adapted

endemic invertebrate community (Blinn and

Oberlin 1996). Montezuma Castle NM is a

relatively small monument: the Castle unit

comprises 230 ha, and the Well unit is 103 ha.

Montezuma Castle NM has an average annual

visitation of 800,000 (NPS 2005).

Natural Resources Overview

Physiography, Geology and Soils

Montezuma Castle NM is located in the Central

Highlands Province in the Verde Valley bounded

by the Mogollon Rim to the north and Fossil Creek

to the south. Elevation at the monument varies

from 955 m to 1,090 m. The Verde Valley is a

down-faulted Cenozoic sedimentary basin in the

transitional zone of central Arizona (Lindsay

2000). The Verde Valley is filled with Verde

Formation sediment, a young lacustrine sediment

with limestone, classic, and evaporitic facies

(Lindsay 2000). There are two types of soils at the

monument: riverine bottomland soils composed of

alluvium; and upland, rocky calcareous soils

composed of limestone-derived soils (Rowlands

1999). For a complete soil survey, see Lindsay

(2000).

Hydrology

Beaver Creek, a tributary to the Verde River, runs

through the Castle unit and its tributary, Wet

Beaver Creek, runs through the Well unit. Both

Beaver and Wet Beaver creeks have intermittent

water flow. Montezuma Well is a large, spring-fed

limestone sink measuring approximately 91 m by

107 m. The main concerns about these water

sources are high rates of withdrawal and non-point

source pollution from urban development and

agricultural and livestock runoff (Sprouse et al.

2002).

Climate

Montezuma Castle NM experiences an annual

bimodal pattern of precipitation which is

characterized by heavy summer (monsoon) storms

brought about by moisture coming from the Gulf of

Mexico, and less intense frontal systems coming

from the Pacific Ocean in the winter. On average,

approximately one-half of the annual precipitation

falls from July through October (Table 2.1; WRCC

2005). The area’s hot season occurs from May

through September and maximum temperatures in

July can exceed 40°C. Winter temperatures often

dip below freezing and snow is occasional.

Average annual precipitation total for the

monument is 33.0 cm. 

Chapter 2: Monument Overview

Table 2.1. Average monthly climate data for Montezuma Castle NM, 1938–2005. (Data from WRCC 2005).

 Month 

Characteristic Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual

Maximum temperature (°C) 15.5 18.2 21.4 25.9 31.0 36.4 38.4 36.8 34.1 28.2 20.5 15.4 26.8

Minimum temperature (°C) -3.2 -1.5 1.1 4.2 8.0 12.2 17.5 16.9 12.7 6.1 -0.2 -3.3 5.9

Precipitation (cm) 2.8 3.0 3.0 1.8 0.8 0.7 3.6 5.2 4.0 2.6 2.2 3.1 2.7
4

Figure 2.1. Location of Montezuma Castle NM in Arizona and aerial photographs of the Castle and Well units.
5

Vegetation

Overall the monument supports scattered juniper at

its higher elevations, and mesquite, acacia and

creosote bush at its lower elevations. There is a

rich cottonwood riparian association along Beaver

Creek. According to Rowlands (1999):

The Castle unit of Montezuma Castle NM has eight

biomes (after Brown et al. 1980): 

• Plains grassland containing broom

snakeweed–catclaw acacia–velvet mesquite

association;

• Sonoran riparian and oasis forest containing

velvet mesquite association; 

• Sonoran savanna grassland containing

threeawn–mixed-scrub association; 

• Chihuahuan desertscrub containing

mariola–creosote bush association; 

• Sonoran desertscrub containing creosote

bush–mixed scrub association, creosote bush

association, and crucifixion thorn

association;

• Southwestern riparian deciduous forest and

woodland containing Arizona

sycamore–green ash association. 

• Scrub-grassland containing New Mexico

feathergrass–mixed scrub association;

• Interior southwestern swamp and riparian

scrub containing desert willow association.

The Well unit of Montezuma Castle NM also has

eight biomes (after Brown et al. 1980):

• Interior chaparral containing Sonoran scrub

oak–skunkbush sumac association;

• Plains grassland containing broom

snakeweed–catclaw acacia association;

• Scrub-grassland containing New Mexico

feathergrass–mixed scrub association;

• Chihuahuan desertscrub containing

mariola–broom snakeweed association;

• Sonoran desertscrub containing crucifixion

thorn association;

• Southwestern riparian deciduous forest and

woodland containing Arizona sycamore–

green ash–Fremont cottonwood association;

• Sonoran riparian and oasis forest containing

velvet mesquite association, velvet

mesquite–catclaw acacia–broom snakeweed

association, and fourwing saltbush–velvet

mesquite association;

• Sonoran interior marshland containing

softstem bulrush–beaked spikerush

association.

Natural Resource Management Issues

Adjacent Land Use and Development

The area near the monument is experiencing rapid

growth in human population and an associated

increase in the number of housing developments

near the monument. This creates many natural

resource management challenges including the

introduction of non-native species (e.g., plants used

for landscaping), increased groundwater

withdrawal, surface water pollution, and visual

intrusions to the natural landscape. 

Non-native Species

Because of the long-term anthropogenic

disturbances in the area, non-native species have

become an important natural resource issue

(Rowlands 1999). Within the monument boundary

non-native grasses such as red brome and ripgut

brome have become well established. Saltcedar has

also become established along the banks of Beaver

and Wet Beaver creeks. In Beaver Creek nonnative fish, crayfish, and the American bullfrog are

likely causing declines in abundance or even

extirpation of native fishes, amphibians, and some

aquatic reptiles. Other non-native vertebrate

species include the European starling and house

sparrow. We address many of these non-native

species in each of the following chapters. 

Visitor Use

Visitor use and recreational activities (e.g., hiking,

fishing) at the monument and surrounding lands is

high and may be problematic. Because of the high

visitation to the monument, natural resources such

as soil stability and vegetation may be damaged by

visitors hiking off-trail. In addition, high numbers

of visitors using trails may affect animal movement

patterns, especially for medium-sized and large

mammals and snakes. Visitors may also introduce

non-native plant species by dispersing seed

attached to clothing or automobiles. 
6
7

There have been several vegetation surveys and

plant species lists created for Montezuma Castle

NM. Spangle and Sutton (1949) created the first

species list for Montezuma Well based on

collections made between March and November

1948. McDougall and Haskell (1960) created a key

for plants occurring at both the Castle and Well

units. Clark and Burgess (1966) studied species

composition of perennial vegetation on the rim of

Montezuma Well. An inventory of riparian trees at

the Castle unit was completed by Reichenbacher

(1990). A complete inventory of all plants in both

units was completed by Jenkins et al. (1991). In

1994, Brian and Rowlands published an annotated

vascular plant species list for the monument based

on previous research and collections. Rowlands

(1999) completed vegetation mapping and

classification of both units. Halvorson and Guertin

(2003) and Mau-Crimmins et al. (2004) mapped

distribution of non-native plants at both units of the

monument. Finally, the NPS Sonoran Desert

Network (SDN) Inventory and Monitoring

Network (unpublished data) conducted modular

plot and transect vegetation surveys at both units of

the monument. 

A historical photograph survey was

conducted by Richmond (1995), who found 103

photographs taken at the monument dating as far

back as 1876. These photographs may serve as a

historical review of vegetation changes at the

monument.

Data Used to Create Plant Species List

The plant species lists for both units of the

monument (Appendices A and B) are based on

Brian and Rowlands (1994), Rowlands (1999),

Halvorson and Guertin (2003), Mau-Crimmins et

al. (2004), and the NPS SDN Inventory and

Monitoring data (unpublished). Taken together,

these lists represent a comprehensive list of the

plants occurring at the monument.

Peebles’ bluestar

In Brian and Rowlands (1994), wooly bluestar

(Amsonia tomentosa) was included in their species

list. We have changed this species to Peebles’

bluestar (Amsonia peeblesii) based on information

provided by Peter Rowlands that wooly bluestar

was a misidentification. Glenn Rink, a botanist at

Northern Arizona University, also checked the

specimen and confirmed the proper identification

of the plant was Peebles’ bluestar. 

Results and Discussion

There have been 404 species of plants documented

or recorded at the Castle unit; of these, 57 (14%)

were non-native (Appendix A). There have been

338 species of plants documented or recorded at

the Well unit; of these, 61 (18%) are non-native

(Appendix B). In all, there have been 472 species

of plants documented or recorded at both units of

the monument (Appendix A and B); of these, 72

(15%) are non-native. The percentage of nonnative plant species recorded in the monument is

slightly lower than the percentage of non-native

plants recorded at nearby Tuzigoot National

Monument (Schmidt et al. 2005) which is also

located in the Verde Valley. This percentage is

relatively high compared to non-native plant

species in other park units in the Sonoran Desert

Network. One reason for the high number of nonnative plant species is that the monument has

undergone extensive disturbance since prehistoric

times. Ancient Hohokam peoples and European

settlers practiced agriculture and grazed cattle in

the area (Rowlands 1999). Many of the non-native

plant species that have invaded the monument are

grasses, which have created an unnatural fire

hazard (Rowlands 1999). According to Halvorson

and Guertin (2003) and Mau-Crimmins et al.

(2004) there are several non-native species that are

widespread, including London rocket, redstem

stork’s bill, red brome, cheatgrass, and ripgut

brome. Rowlands (1999) found that the

southeastern portion of the Well unit was the most

disturbed area and the southeastern corner of the

Castle unit was one of the areas least disturbed and

in the most natural state.

Another worrisome occurrence is the

apparent decline of mesquite bosque along Beaver

Creek possibly due to the increase of groundwater

pumping leading to lower groundwater levels

(Rowlands 1999).

Chapter 3: Plants
8

Inventory Completeness

The plant inventory for Montezuma Castle NM is

considered to be complete due to the extensive

studies conducted over more than five decades.

However, new species, especially non-native

species, will most likely continue to become

established.
9

The most thorough fish surveys conducted on the

sections of Beaver and Wet Beaver creeks within

the monument were by Montgomery et al. (1995,

1996) from 1992 to 1994. They used electrofishing,

trammel nets, and seining to collect fish.

Montgomery et al. (1995) also summarized the

findings of incidental collections that were taken

near the monument during the 1930s, 1960s and

1970s and an unpublished survey by the Arizona

Game and Fish Department that was conducted in

the 1980s. 

Data Used to Create Fish Species List

The fish species list for the monument (Appendix

C) is based on the findings of Montgomery et al.

(1995, 1996). 

Results and Discussion

Montgomery et al. (1995, 1996) documented nine

species of fishes, including five non-natives

(Appendix C). All four of the native species

documented are federally listed Species of

Concern. Over the last 60 years, a major shift in

the fish community of Beaver Creek has occurred,

from an assemblage of native species to a

community dominated by introduced non-native

species, though a few native species persist in low

to moderate numbers. The decline in native fish

species is most likely due to predation and

competition by non-native species and changes in

water flow caused by human usage (Montgomery

et al. 1995). High flood flows along Beaver Creek

in the summer appear to temporarily reduce the

number of introduced species and allow the native

species to temporarily increase in numbers

(Montgomery et al. 1995).

Inventory Completeness

The list of nine species from Montgomery et al.

(1995, 1996) is considered to be complete. There

are several species that may occur or have occurred

in the past at the monument (Appendix G). The

native fish — speckled dace, spikedace, and loach

minnow — are now restricted to the Gila River

system and have not been documented in Beaver

Creek since the late 1930s (Montgomery et al.

1995). Spotted bass, largemouth bass, black

bullhead and channel catfish were introduced in the

area for sport fishing, but have not been

documented in the area since the 1960s and 70s

(Montgomery et al. 1995).

Chapter 4: Fishes
10
11

Well is also noteworthy for its very high density

(Drost and Nowak 1998).

Although comprehensive historical survey

data are not available for comparison, museum

records show that lowland leopard frogs (which

have declined throughout the southwest) once

occurred in the vicinity of the monument but were

not documented by Drost and Nowak (1998) and

are believed to no longer occur in the area. Gila

monsters also formerly occurred at the monument,

but were not found by Drost and Nowak (1998).

The Arizona toad is another species that may be

extirpated from the monument. There are no

specimen records to document its former

occurrence at Montezuma Castle NM, but it

formerly occurred in the area; appropriate habitat is

present at the monument but none were found by

Drost and Nowak (1998). Loss and decline of

many species may be due to the loss of desert

grasslands, invasion of non-native plant species,

and changes in aquatic habitats (such as water flow

and quality; Drost and Nowak 1998). 

Inventory Completeness

Drost and Nowak (1998) conducted a relatively

thorough inventory of the monument and Nowak

(unpublished data) has continued to collect

observational data on amphibians and reptiles at

Montezuma Castle NM. Nowak has not, to date,

detected any new species and she estimates that

inventory completeness at the monument is at least

90–95%. 

Possible Species

Here we identify species that have not been

confirmed to occur at the monument (Appendix H),

but that may occur there based on documentation

from nearby Tuzigoot NM by Schmidt et al. (2005)

and based on habitat and range (Drost and Nowak

1998). 

Greater short-horned lizard 

The greater short-horned lizard was documented by

Drost and Nowak (1998) about a half mile

southwest of the Well unit.

The only known amphibian and reptile inventory

was conducted at Montezuma Castle NM by Drost

and Nowak (1998) from 1993 to 1994. They used

pitfall traps, coverboards, funnel traps, and visual

searches to record or document amphibians and

reptiles at the monument. They also searched

museum collections for voucher specimens. A

study was conducted by Windes et al. (1997) that

inventoried amphibians and reptiles of the Beaver

Creek Wilderness; however, their study yielded no

additional species than those recorded by Drost and

Nowak (1998). A study was also conducted on the

effects of relocations of rattlesnakes at the

monument from 1994–1996 (Nowak and van Riper

III 1999), and research is currently being

conducted on the ecology of nuisance rattlesnakes

and their prey by Erika Nowak. Nowak has also

been collecting incidental observations of

amphibians and reptiles since the completion of the

inventory in 1996. A complete inventory was

conducted at Tuzigoot NM which is located nearby

in the Verde Valley (Schmidt et al. 2005). 

Data Used to Create Amphibian and Reptile

Species List

The amphibian and reptile species list for the

monument (Appendix D) is based on Drost and

Nowak (1998) and additional personal observations

by Paul Super (NPS employee) and monument

personnel. 

Results and Discussion

There have been 34 species of amphibians and

reptiles found at the monument, of which three are

non-native (Appendix D). Amphibian diversity at

the monument is low, consisting of two toads, one

treefrog, and the introduced American bullfrog.

The American bullfrog is apparently a recent

arrival (it was not vouchered at the monument prior

to the Drost and Nowak [1998] study) and was

only found in low numbers (Drost and Nowak

1998). The lizard community at the monument is

one of the most species rich (13 species) in the

Sonoran Desert Network of park units. The

population of Sonoran mud turtles at Montezuma

Chapter 5: Amphibians and Reptiles
12

Snakes

There are six snake species that may occur at the

monument. Five of these species (western blind

snake, Sonoran whipsnake, Mexican garter snake,

southwestern black-headed snake and western lyre

snake) have been documented in the Verde Valley

at Tuzigoot NM (Schmidt et al. 2005) and two

(Sonoran whipsnake and western lyre snake) were

found near the Well unit (Drost and Nowak 1998).

One other species of snake that may occur at the

monument (Mojave rattlesnake), occurs in the

Verde Valley and if found at the monument would

most likely occur at the Well unit.
13

Several bird species lists have been created for

Montezuma Castle NM and the surrounding area.

The first was created by Jackson (1941) based on

observations she made at the monument from 1936

to 1940. A compilation of bird observations at the

monument was created by Frost (1947), and

included the observations by Jackson (1941), as

well as others. Another compilation was created by

Sutton (1954) that included all past bird

observations made in the entire Verde Valley. From

1973 to 1980 the National Audubon Society (No

date) conducted Christmas bird counts near the

monument. More recently, Sogge and Johnson

(1998) conducted point counts and transect surveys

at Montezuma Castle NM from 1991 to 1994. The

list created by Sogge and Johnson (1998) was

recently updated by Sogge et al. (In press). A

comprehensive survey that took place from 2003 to

2004 at nearby Tuzigoot NM located in the Verde

Valley, including point counts and transect surveys,

was summarized by Schmidt et al. (2005). Finally,

a study on yellow-billed cuckoos at the monument

has just been completed by Matt Johnson.

Data Used to Create Bird Species List

The bird species list for the monument (Appendix

E) is based solely on Sogge et al. (In press). 

Results and Discussion

There have been 211 species of birds found at the

monument (Appendix E), of which four are nonnative and 41 species require open water (found at

Montezuma Well): 22 species of ducks and geese

(Anatidae), one grebe (Podicipedidae), four species

of heron and egret (Ardeidae), four species of rail

(Rallidae), seven species of “shorebirds”

(Charadriidae and Scolopacidae), and three other

species.

Based on the list created by Sogge et al.

(In press), the bird community at Montezuma

Castle NM is among the most species rich for park

units in the Sonoran Desert Network. This high

species richness is extraordinary for a park unit of

its size, and Beaver and Wet Beaver creeks and

Montezuma Well are the resources that account for

this. The riparian areas adjacent to the creeks

support a high number of riparian obligate birds

such as summer tanager, song sparrow, Abert’s

towhee, yellow warbler, yellow-breasted chat, and

sensitive species (Arizona State Wildlife Species of

Concern) including nesting common black-hawks,

belted kingfishers, and yellow-billed cuckoos (also

a candidate for listing under the Endangered

Species Act). The dense stands of cottonwood and

willow trees provide vital habitat for these species,

yet these areas are rare in the southwest (Ohmart

1994). Research in the southwestern U.S. has

consistently shown that areas with riparian trees

have bird communities that are more diverse than

adjacent sites (Carothers et al. 1974, Szaro and

Jakle 1985, Strong and Bock 1990). This is due, in

part, to the variety of microhabitats that riparian

vegetation provides for nesting (Powell and Steidl

2000), cover, and foraging.

Inventory Completeness

The bird list for Montezuma Castle NM is near

completion. We include a list of species that have

been observed elsewhere in the Verde Valley that

may also be present at the monument (Appendix I).

Many of these species may be present only as

flyovers (flying over the monument) en route to

large open areas of water (i.e. Montezuma Lake),

especially many of the “shorebirds” (families

Scolopacidae and Recurvirostridae) and gulls

(family Laridae). 

Chapter 6: Birds
14
15

The first known work conducted on mammals in

the area was by Walter P. Taylor and Hartley H. T.

Jackson in 1916 (Drost and Ellison 1996). Taylor

and Jackson’s research included interviewing local

residents about their observations. More recently,

Ellison and van Riper III (1996) studied small

mammal community patterns in riparian floodplain

and mesquite habitats. Drost and Ellison (1996)

conducted a thorough inventory of all mammals,

which included pitfall trapping for shrews, mist

netting for bats, trapping for small and mediumsized mammals, visual surveys for large and

aquatic mammals, Trailmaster camera stations, and

track and sign surveys. Drost and Ellison (1996)

also compared their results with results from Taylor

and Jackson. In 2002 and 2003, Bucci and

Petryszyn (2004) conducted mist netting and

acoustic surveys for bats at the monument. In

addition, Erika Nowak has been trapping small

mammals at the Castle unit since 2003 in

conjunction with a study of nuisance rattlesnake

ecology. 

Data Used to Create Mammal Species List

The mammal species list for the monument

(Appendix F) is based on the documentations made

by Drost and Ellison (1996) and Bucci and

Petryszyn (2004). 

Results and Discussion

There have been 58 species of mammal

documented at the monument: 18 bats, 15 small

terrestrial mammals (primarily rodents), and 25

medium to large mammals (Appendix F). Of the 58

species documented, only one was non-native. One

reason for the monument’s high number of

mammal species may be its location near the

northern edge of the Sonoran Desert and the

southern edge of the Mogollon Rim. Many species

from both ecosystems have been, or may be, found

there. Several of the species documented by Drost

and Ellison (1996) (cactus mouse, Piñon mouse,

Stephens’s woodrat and Harris’ antelope squirrel)

are at the edge of their geographic ranges. In

addition, two species that may be present would be

at the edge of their geographic ranges (long–legged

myotis and southern grasshopper mouse).

Beaver and Wet Beaver creeks and

Montezuma Well provide a constant source of

water for several mammals that are rare in Arizona:

American beaver, muskrat, and river otter. The

American beaver and river otter were trapped

historically for their dense fur. In the early 1900s

the American beaver population had declined and

the southwestern subspecies of the river otter

(Lontra canadensis sonora) was nearly, or possibly,

trapped to extinction. Because habitats, in Arizona

where the American beaver, muskrat and river otter

occurred historically, have been altered due to

dams, diversions, and other forms of habitat

alteration, the monument (including Montezuma

Well and the sections of Beaver and Wet Beaver

creeks) appears to be important to the persistence

of these species in Arizona.

The cliffs above Montezuma Well and

along Beaver Creek, including the Castle itself,

provide roosts for many cave and cliff bats. One

species of bat that has been found to use these

areas, the Townsend’s big-eared bat, is a federally

listed Species of Concern.

Inventory Completeness

The mammal list for Montezuma Castle NM is

near completion. We believe all common and

resident mammals have been documented;

however, there are a few additional species that

may occur at the monument (Appendix J) based on

Drost and Ellison (1996).

Long-legged myotis and silver-haired bat 

Both of these species have been documented in the

Verde Valley and their ranges include the

monument (Hoffmeister 1986), however, they have

never been documented at the monument.

Western bonneted bat 

This bat ranges widely throughout Arizona. It

roosts in shallow caves and cliffs which are present

at the monument; however this species has not

been documented in the Verde Valley.

Chapter 7: Mammals
16

White-nosed coati

This species usually inhabits oak woodland in the

southeastern portion of Arizona, however

“stragglers and wanderers” may be found further

north (Hoffmeister 1986).

Western spotted and hooded skunks

Both species have been documented in the Verde

Valley. Western spotted skunks are uncommon

throughout their range and the hooded skunk is

uncommon through the northern part of its range. It

is likely that the western spotted skunk is currently

present or will be found in the future at the

monument.

Golden-mantled ground squirrel 

This species is common along the Mogollon Rim

and, if found at the monument, it would be at the

southernmost extent of its range.

Arizona pocket mouse and southern

grasshopper mouse

Usually found in Mohave and Sonoran desertscrub,

these species have been documented in the Verde

Valley (Hoffmeister 1986). If found at the

monument they would be at the northernmost part

of their ranges.

Hispid pocket mouse

An isolated population of this species was

documented in the Verde Valley (Hoffmeister

1986), but is believed to no longer occur in the

area.

Plains harvest mouse 

This wide-ranging species has been documented in

the Verde Valley by Hoffmeister (1986). He found

geographic overlap between this and the western

harvest mouse, which was captured by Drost and

Ellison (1996) at Montezuma Castle NM.

House mouse

The house mouse was previously documented at

the monument by Taylor and Jackson (Drost and

Ellison 1996), however, recently none have been

found at the monument. This species is closely

associated with human development and as

developments continue to increase near the

monument this species may once again occur at the

monument.

Species No Longer Present

There are two species that are believed to no longer

be present at the monument; however, it may be

premature to say that these species have been

extirpated from the Verde Valley: Gunnison’s

prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) and pronghorn

(Antilocapra americana).

Grizzly Bear, Ocelot, Jaguar and Mexican Gray Wolf

Four species have been extirpated from the Verde

Valley: grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), ocelot

(Leopardus pardalis), jaguar (Panthera onca) and

Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi). The last

grizzly bear in Arizona is believed to have been

killed in the mid 1920s (Hoffmeister 1986). The

range of both the ocelot and jaguar has shrunk

substantially. Currently they occur very rarely in

Arizona and only in the extreme south and

southeast portion of the state. The Mexican gray

wolf was extirpated from Arizona, however,

beginning in the 1990s they were reintroduced into

central eastern Arizona. It is unlikely that this

species will occur again at the monument because

of urban development surrounding both the Castle

and Well units.
17

Based on data from previous studies and our

knowledge of the natural resource issues at the

monument, herein we address issues that affect

management of the monument’s natural resources. 

Adjacent Land Development and Water

As the Verde Valley becomes increasingly

developed, undisturbed areas will become scarce

and likely restricted to inaccessible terrain. It is

important to maintain the present, relatively

undisturbed state of the southeast portion of the

Castle unit by eliminating trespass grazing and

other incompatible uses. 

Water rights adjudication will be important

to the future of water quality and quantity flowing

through the monument. The seasonal pattern of

flooding and drying may be important to

maintaining native fish populations according to

Montegomery et al. (1995). Communication with

other agencies involved with water use and water

resources in the Beaver Creek/Verde River

drainage will help to maintain instream flows at the

monument. Maintaining healthy riparian

communities and aquatic habitats is particularly

important for amphibians who are dependent on

these communities. Measures to protect stream

flow, water quality, the natural hydrologic regime,

and native aquatic species (e.g., restoring native

fish species) will benefit amphibians. 

Non-native Species and Grasslands

Mediterranean grasses and other exotic plants

create seasonally high levels of fire fuels that

increase to a maximum standing crop during the

summer months when lighting strikes are most

likely. An integrated approach to vegetation

management in the bottomlands utilizing all

feasible aspects of weed control, including (where

appropriate) chemical control and prescribed fire,

would help maintain a natural system. Mechanical

control of the annual weedy growth at the Well unit

could actually encourage the spread of weedy

exotic plants by repeated disturbance of the

substrate, abetting the seed dissemination of exotic

weeds and retarding the natural invasion of native

species, such as mesquite and acacia. Young

specimens of the latter are repeatedly mowed down

soon after establishment. 

Some of the species declines that have

occurred at the monument (including the Gila

monster, Arizona cotton rat, and hispid pocket

mouse) seem to be related to the decline and loss

of desert grassland habitat. Unfortunately, we do

not have detailed information on past habitat

composition and structure at the monument, but

restoration of native grassland habitats and native

species in general (and reduction of non-natives

such as red brome) would be beneficial. 

Bats

Disturbances to breeding Townsend’s big-eared

bats at the Montezuma Well Swallet Cave should

be avoided. Townsend’s big-eared bat is a federal

Species of Concern and is considered sensitive to

disturbance at roost caves (Bucci and Petryszyn

2004). Any access to the cave at Montezuma Well

should be timed to avoid the period when the bats

have young (April through July).

Chapter 8: Management Implications
18
19

No inventory is ever truly complete; species

distributions expand and contract across

boundaries, particularly in small park units such as

Montezuma Castle NM. We recommend a

complete inventory be conducted again in

approximately 10 years to detect any changes in

species status. 

Fish

To help understand the native fish community in

Beaver Creek further research is recommended

including: 1) continued fish species composition

and abundance monitoring, particularly in relation

to flood events and periods of stream drawdown

and; 2) marking native suckers to monitor age,

growth rate, and movements. Monitoring and

research should be coordinated with Arizona Game

and Fish Department, USDA Forest Service, or

other agencies working in this section of the Verde

River drainage.

Amphibians and Reptiles

Amphibian populations in much of the western

United States have experienced serious declines.

The cause of many of the declines is not known,

and part of the reason for this is that we do not

have good baseline information on amphibian

populations. Given the extensive inventory work at

the monument, this area would be a valuable site

for continuing to collect information on population

trends.

Chapter 9: Additional Inventories and Research
20
21

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 1998. Checklist

of North American birds, seventh edition.

American Ornithologists’ Union and Allen Press

Inc., Lawrence, KS.

American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU). 2003. Fortysecond supplement to the American Ornithologists’

Union checklist of North American birds. Auk

117:847–858.

Baker, R. J., L. C. Bradley, R. D. Bradley, J. W. Dragoo,

M. D. Engstrom, R. S. Hoffmann, C. A. Jones, F.

Reid, D. W. Rice, and C. Jones. 2003. Revised

checklist of North American mammals north of

Mexico, 2003. Occasional Papers of the Museum

of Texas Tech University 229:1–23.

Blinn, D., and G. E. Oberlin. 1996. Aquatic biota:

invertebrates and algae. U.S. Geological Survey,

Colorado Plateau Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ.

Brian, N. J., and P. G. Rowlands. 1994. An annotated

vascular plant species list for Montezuma Castle

and Montezuma Well National Monuments,

Arizona. U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado Plateau

Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ.

Brown, D. E., C. H. Lowe, and C. P. Pase. 1980. A

digitized systematic classification for ecosystems

with an illustrated summary of the natural

vegetation of North America. General Technical

Report RM-73, USDA Forest Service, Fort Collins,

CO.

Bucci, M., and Y. Petryszyn. 2004. Bat use of

Montezuma Castle National Monument, Tonto

National Monument, and Tuzigoot National

Monument, Arizona. Report to Montezuma Castle

National Monument, Camp Verde, AZ.

Carothers, S. W., R. R. Johnson, and S. W. Aitchison.

1974. Population structure and social organization

of Southwestern riparian birds. American Zoologist

14:97–108.

Clark, A., and R. L. Burgess. 1966. The persistent

perennial vegetation on the rim of Montezuma

Well, Arizona. Journal of the Arizona Academy of

Science 4: 35–42.

Drost, C. A., and L. E. Ellison. 1996. Inventory and

assessment of mammal communities in

Montezuma Castle National Monument. U.S.

Geological Survey, Colorado Plateau Field Station,

Flagstaff, AZ.

Drost, C. A., and E. M. Nowak. 1998. Inventory and

assessment of amphibian and reptile communities

at Montezuma Castle National Monument. U.S.

Geological Survey, Colorado Plateau Field Station,

Flagstaff, AZ.

Ellison, L. E., and C. van Riper III. 1996. A comparison

of small mammal communities at Montezuma

Castle National Monument. National Park Service

Technical Report NPS/NAUMOCA/NRTR-96/11. 

Frost, C. B. 1947. A check list of birds recorded in the

Montezuma Castle Area. Unpublished list to

Montezuma Castle National Monument, Camp

Verde, AZ.

Halvorson, W. L., and P. Guertin. 2003. USGS Weeds in

the West project: status of introduced plants in

southern Arizona parks. U.S. Geological Survey,

Southwest Biological Science Center, Sonoran

Desert Research Station, University of Arizona,

Tucson, AZ. 

Heritage Data Management System (HDMS). 2004.

Arizona Game and Fish Department. Accessed 5

March from: http://www.gf.state.az.us/w_c/edits/

hdms_species_lists.html.

Hoffmeister, D. F. 1986. Mammals of Arizona. The

University of Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ.

Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 2004.

Accessed on 20 March 2004.

http://www.itis.usda.gov/index.html. 

Jackson, B. 1941. Birds of Montezuma Castle.

Southwestern National Monuments Special Report

No. 28.

Jenkins, P., F. Reichenbacher, K. Johnson, A. Gondor.

1991. Vegetation inventory, classification, and

monitoring for Montezuma Well, Montezuma

Castle National Monument. Southwestern Field

Biologists, Tucson, AZ.

Latta, M. J., C. J. Beardmore, and T. E. Corman. 1999.

Arizona Partners in Flight conservation plan.

Technical Report 142. Nongame and Endangered

Wildlife Program, Arizona Game and Fish

Department, Phoenix, AZ.

Lindsay, B. A. 2000. Soil survey of Montezuma Castle

National Monument, Arizona (including

Montezuma Well). U.S. Geological Survey,

Sonoran Desert Field Station, University of

Arizona, Tucson, AZ.

Mau-Crimmins, T., A. Hubbard, and G. R. McPherson.

2004. Non-native plant mapping at Montezuma

Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments.

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and Monitoring Program, Tucson, AZ.

McDougall, W. B., and H. S. Haskell. 1960. Seed Plants

of Montezuma Castle National Monument.

Museum of Northern Arizona Bulletin 35.

Chapter 10: Literature Cited
22

Montgomery, W. L., G. G. Hardwick, and J. White.

1996. Montezuma Castle National Monument: fish

monitoring. Report to Montezuma Castle National

Monument, Camp Verde, AZ.

Montgomery, W. L., W. C. Leibfried, and G. G.

Hardwick. 1995. Beaver Creek aquatic study for

Montezuma Castle National Monument: fish and

herpetofauna. Final Report to Montezuma Castle

National Monument, Camp Verde, AZ.

National Audubon Society. No date. Christmas bird

count data. Accessed November 7, 2005 from:

http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/hr/index.html. 

National Park Service (NPS). 1992. NPS-75: Natural

resources inventory and monitoring guidelines.

U.S. Dept. of Interior, Washington, D.C.

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Database Reports. Accessed October 22, 2005

from: http://www2.nature.nps.gov/NPstats/

npstats.cfm.

Nowak, E., and C. van Riper III. 1999. Effects and

effectiveness of rattlesnake relocation at

Montezuma Castle National Monument. Technical

Report Series USGSFRESC/COPL/1999/17,

USGS Colorado Plateau Field Station, Flagstaff,

AZ.

Ohmart, R. D. 1994. The effects of human-induced

changes on the avifauna of western riparian

habitats. Studies in Avian Biology 15:272–285.

Powell, B. F., and R. J. Steidl. 2000. Nesting habitat and

reproductive success of southwestern riparian

birds. Condor 102:823–831. 

Rappole, J. H. 1995. The ecology of migrant birds: a

neotropical perspective. Smithsonian Institution

Press, Washington, D.C.

Reichenbacher, F. W. 1990. Inventory of riparian trees at

Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Castle National

Monument, Arizona. F. W. Reichenbacher &

Associates, Tucson, AZ.

Richmond, A. J. 1995. Historic photograph survey

Montezuma Castle/Well National Monument

1879–1990. Technical Report

NPS/NAUMOCA/NRTR-95/08. U.S. Geological

Survey, Colorado Plateau Research Station,

Flagstaff, AZ.

Rowlands, P. G. 1999. Vegetation survey of Montezuma

Castle National Monument. Unpublished report to

Montezuma Castle National Monument, Camp

Verde, AZ.

Schmidt, C. A., B. F. Powell, and W. L. Halvorson.

2005. Vascular plant and vertebrate inventory of

Tuzigoot National Monument. Final report to the

National Park Service, Sonoran Desert Inventory

and Monitoring Program, Tucson, AZ.

Sogge, M. K., and M. J. Johnson. 1998. Montezuma

Castle Avian Inventory 1991–1994. Final Project

Report to Montezuma Castle National Monument,

Camp Verde, AZ.

Sogge, M. K., M. J. Johnson, and C. van Riper III. In

press. The birds of Montezuma Castle National

Monument, AZ. U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado

Plateau Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ.

Spangle, P., and M. Sutton. 1949. The botany of

Montezuma Well. Plateau 22:11–19. 

Sprouse, T., R. Emanuel, and B. Tellman. 2002. Surface

water quality monitoring overview and assessment.

Unpublished report to the National Park Service,

Sonoran Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring

Program, Tucson, AZ.

Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles

and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin,

New York, NY.

Stohlgren, T. J., J. F. Quinn, M. Ruggiero, and G. S.

Waggoner. 1995. Status of biotic inventories in

U.S. national parks. Biological Conservation

71:97–106.

Strong, T. R., and C. E. Bock. 1990. Bird species

distribution patterns in riparian habitats in

southeastern Arizona. Condor 92:511–519.

Sutton, M. 1954. Birds of the Verde Valley. National

Park Service, Montezuma Castle National

Monument, Camp Verde, AZ.

Szaro, R. C., and M. D. Jakle. 1985. Avian use of a

desert riparian island and its adjacent scrub habitat.

Condor 87:511–519.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2004.

The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5. Accessed

from: http://plants.usda.gov. National Plant Data

Center, Natural Resources Conservation Service,

Baton Rouge, LA.

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2002. Birds of conservation concern 2002.

Division of Bird Management, Arlington, VA.

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Arizona climate summaries from Montezuma

Castle National Monument, Arizona. Accessed

October 22, 2005 from: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/

summary/climsmaz.html.

Windes, J. D., M. J. Sredl, J. E. Wallace, and B. L.

Christman. 1997. Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness

herpetofauna inventory. Technical Report 107.

Arizona Game and Fish Department, Nongame and

Endangered Wildlife. 
23

Appendix A. Plant species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM, Castle unit. Based on Brian and Rowlands

(B&R; 1994), Rowlands (Row; 1999), Halvorson and Guertin (H&G; 2003), Mau-Crimmins et al. (Mau; 2004), and NPS

(unpublished data). Species in bold-faced type are non-native.

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS

Aceraceae Acer negundo L. boxelder X

Acer negundo var. californicum (Torr. & 

Gray) Sarg. California boxelder X

Agavaceae Agave parryi Engelm. var. parryi Parry’s agave X

Yucca baccata Torr. var. baccata banana yucca X

Yucca elata (Engelm.) Engelm. soaptree yucca X X

Yucca elata var. verdiensis (McKelvey) 

Reveal Verdi yucca X

Amaranthaceae Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. Powell’s amaranth X

Anacardiaceae Rhus aromatica Ait. fragrant sumac X

Rhus trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac X X

Rhus trilobata var. trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac X

Toxicodendron rydbergii (Small ex Rydb.) 

Greene western poison ivy X

Apiaceae Berula erecta (Huds.) Coville cutleaf waterparsnip X

Cymopterus multinervatus (Coult. & Rose) 

Tidestrom purplenerve springparsley X X

Cymopterus purpurascens (Gray) M.E. 

Jones widewing springparsley X

Daucus pusillus Michx. American wild carrot X X X

Hydrocotyle verticillata Thunb. whorled marshpennywort X

Apocynaceae Amsonia peeblesii Woods. Peebles’ bluestar X

Vinca major L. bigleaf periwinkle X X

Asclepiadaceae Asclepias asperula ssp. capricornu 

(Woods.) Woods. antelopehorns X

Asclepias engelmanniana Woods. Engelmann’s milkweed X

Asclepias subverticillata (Gray) Vail horsetail milkweed X X

Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides

(Dcne.) Schlechter fringed twinevine X X

Asteraceae Acourtia wrightii (Gray) Reveal & King brownfoot X X X

Agoseris glauca var. laciniata (D.C. Eat.) 

Smiley false agoseris X

Ambrosia confertiflora DC. weakleaf burr ragweed X

Ambrosia psilostachya DC. Cuman ragweed X

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. white sagebrush X X X

Aster L. aster X

Baccharis emoryi Gray Emory’s baccharis X

Baccharis pteronioides DC. yerba de pasmo X

Baccharis salicifolia (Ruiz & Pavón) Pers. mule’s fat X X

Baccharis sarothroides Gray desertbroom X X

Baccharis wrightii Gray Wright’s baccharis X

Baileya multiradiata Harvey & Gray ex Gray desert marigold X X

Brickellia atractyloides Gray spearleaf brickellbush X X X

Brickellia californica (Torr. & Gray) Gray California brickellbush X X

Brickellia eupatorioides var. chlorolepis 

(Woot. & Standl.) B.L. Turner false boneset X
24

Asteraceae Brickellia microphylla var. watsonii (B.L. 

Robins.) Welsh Watson’s brickellbush X

Centaurea melitensis L. Maltese star-thistle XXXX

Chaetopappa ericoides (Torr.) Nesom rose heath X X X

Cichorium intybus L. chicory X X

Cirsium arizonicum (Gray) Petrak Arizona thistle X

Cirsium wheeleri (Gray) Petrak Wheeler’s thistle X

Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Canadian horseweed X

Conyza canadensis var. pusilla (Nutt.) 

Cronq. Canadian horseweed X

Encelia frutescens (Gray) Gray button brittlebush X X X

Encelia virginensis A. Nels. Virgin River brittlebush X

Erigeron concinnus (Hook. & Arn.) Torr. & 

Gray Navajo fleabane X X

Erigeron divergens Torr. & Gray spreading fleabane X X

Erigeron flagellaris Gray trailing fleabane X X

Gaillardia pinnatifida Torr. red dome blanketflower X X

Grindelia nuda var. aphanactis (Rydb.) 

Nesom curlytop gumweed X X

Gutierrezia microcephala (DC.) Gray threadleaf snakeweed X

Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. & Rusby broom snakeweed X X X

Helianthus annuus L. common sunflower X X

Heliomeris multiflora var. multiflora Nutt. showy goldeneye X

Heterotheca subaxillaris (Lam.) Britt. & 

Rusby camphorweed X X X

Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners hairy false goldenaster X

Heterotheca villosa var. foliosa (Nutt.) 

Harms hairy false goldenaster X

Hymenoclea monogyra Torr. & Gray ex Gray singlewhorl burrobrush X X X

Hymenothrix loomisii Blake Loomis’ thimblehead X

Lactuca serriola L. prickly lettuce X X

Lactuca tatarica var. pulchella (Pursh) 

Breitung blue lettuce X

Layia glandulosa (Hook.) Hook. & Arn. whitedaisy tidytips X X

Machaeranthera canescens var. incana 

(Lindl.) Gray hoary tansyaster X

Machaeranthera gracilis (Nutt.) Shinners slender goldenweed X

Malacothrix fendleri Gray Fendler’s desertdandelion X

Melampodium leucanthum Torr. & Gray plains blackfoot X X X

Packera neomexicana var. neomexicana 

(Gray) W.A. Weber & A. Löve New Mexico groundsel X

Packera quercetorum (Greene) C. Jeffrey Oak Creek ragwort X

Parthenium incanum Kunth mariola X X X

Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus Less. threadleaf ragwort X

Solidago velutina DC. threenerve goldenrod X

Solidago wrightii Gray Wright’s goldenrod X X

Sonchus asper (L.) Hill spiny sowthistle X X

Stephanomeria exigua Nutt. small wirelettuce X

Stephanomeria minor var. minor (Hook.) 

Nutt. narrowleaf wirelettuce X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
25

Asteraceae Stephanomeria pauciflora (Torr.) A. Nels. brownplume wirelettuce X X X

Symphyotrichum divaricatum (Nutt.) Nesom southern annual saltmarsh aster X

Symphyotrichum praealtum var. praealtum 

(Poir.) Nesom willowleaf aster X

Taraxacum laevigatum (Willd.) DC. rock dandelion X X

Thymophylla acerosa (DC.) Strother pricklyleaf dogweed X X X

Thymophylla pentachaeta var. belenidium 

(DC.) Strother fiveneedle pricklyleaf X

Thymophylla pentachaeta var. pentachaeta 

(DC.) Small fiveneedle pricklyleaf X

Townsendia annua Beaman annual Townsend daisy X

Townsendia strigosa Nutt. hairy Townsend daisy X X

Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify X X

Uropappus lindleyi (DC.) Nutt. Lindley’s silverpuffs X X

Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth. & 

Hook. f. ex Gray golden crownbeard X X

Verbesina encelioides ssp. exauriculata 

(Robins. & Greenm.) J.R. Coleman golden crownbeard X

Xanthium strumarium L. rough cockleburr XXXX

Berberidaceae Mahonia haematocarpa (Woot.) Fedde red barberry X X X

Betulaceae Alnus oblongifolia Torr. Arizona alder X X

Bignoniaceae Chilopsis linearis (Cav.) Sweet desert willow X

Chilopsis linearis ssp. arcuata (Fosberg) 

Henrickson desert willow X

Boraginaceae Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia (Fisch 

& C.A. Mey.) Ganders common fiddleneck X X

Cryptantha confertiflora (Greene) basin yellow cryptantha X X X

Cryptantha crassisepala (Torr. & Gray) 

Greene thicksepal cryptantha X X

Cryptantha nevadensis A. Nels. & Kennedy Nevada cryptantha X X

Harpagonella Gray grapplinghook X

Lappula occidentalis (S. Wats.) Greene flatspine stickseed X

Lappula occidentalis var. cupulata (Gray) 

Higgins flatspine stickseed X

Lappula occidentalis var. occidentalis (S. 

Wats.) Greene flatspine stickseed X X X

Lithospermum incisum Lehm. narrowleaf stoneseed X X

Plagiobothrys Fisch. & C.A. Mey. popcornflower X

Tiquilia canescens (DC.) A. Richards. woody crinklemat X X X

Brassicaceae Arabis perennans S. Wats. perennial rockcress X

Brassica tournefortii Gouan Asian mustard X

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. shepherd’s purse X X X

Chorispora tenella (Pallas) DC. crossflower X X X

Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. western tansymustard X X

Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl herb sophia X X X

Draba cuneifolia Nutt. ex Torr. & Gray wedgeleaf draba X X

Erysimum capitatum var. purshii (Dur.) 

Rollins Pursh’s wallflower X

Lepidium lasiocarpum Nutt. shaggyfruit pepperweed X X

Lepidium montanum Nutt. mountain pepperweed X X X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
26

Brassicaceae Lepidium montanum var. glabrum C.L. 

Hitchc. mountain pepperweed X

Lesquerella gordonii (Gray) S. Wats. Gordon’s bladderpod X

Lesquerella intermedia (S. Wats.) Heller mid bladderpod X

Lesquerella tenella A. Nels. Moapa bladderpod X

Matthiola longipetala (Vent.) DC. night scented stock X

Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek watercress X X

Sisymbrium irio L. London rocket XXXXX

Streptanthus carinatus ssp. arizonicus (S. 

Wats.) Kruckeberg, Rodman & Worthington lyreleaf jewelflower X X

Thelypodium wrightii Gray Wright’s thelypody X

Cactaceae Echinocereus fendleri var. boyce-thompsonii 

(Orcutt) L. Benson Boyce Thompson hedgehog cactusX X

Echinocereus fendleri var. fasciculatus 

(Engelm. ex B.D. Jackson) N.P. Taylor pinkflower hedgehog cactus X

Escobaria vivipara var. arizonica (Engelm.) 

D.R. Hunt Arizona spinystar X

Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck var.

engelmannii cactus apple X

Opuntia leptocaulis DC. Christmas cactus X X X

Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra 

Engelm. purple pricklypear X

Opuntia phaeacantha Engelm. tulip pricklypear X X

Campanulaceae Lobelia cardinalis L. cardinalflower X

Nemacladus glanduliferus var. orientalis 

McVaugh glandular threadplant X

Capparaceae Cleome lutea var. jonesii J.F. Macbr. Jones spiderflower X

Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma 

(Torr. & Gray) Iltis sandyseed clammyweed X

Caryophyllaceae Silene antirrhina L. sleepy silene X X

Celastraceae Canotia holacantha Torr. crucifixion thorn X X X

Chenopodiaceae Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. fourwing saltbush X X X

Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. var.

canescens fourwing saltbush X

Chenopodium fremontii S. Wats. Fremont’s goosefoot X

Krascheninnikovia lanata (Pursh) A.D.J. 

Meeuse & Smit winterfat X X

Salsola tragus L. prickly Russian thistle X X

Convolvulaceae Convolvulus arvensis L. field bindweed X X

Convolvulus equitans Benth. Texas bindweed X

Evolvulus nuttallianus J.A. Schultes shaggy dwarf morning-glory X

Cucurbitaceae Cucurbita foetidissima Kunth Missouri gourd X

Marah gilensis Greene Gila manroot X X X

Cupressaceae Cupressus arizonica Greene Arizona cypress X X

Juniperus monosperma (Engelm.) Sarg. oneseed juniper X X

Juniperus osteosperma (Torr.) Little Utah juniper X X X

Cyperaceae Carex aquatilis Wahlenb. water sedge X

Cyperus esculentus L. chufa flatsedge X X

Eleocharis parishii Britt. Parish’s spikerush X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
27

Cyperaceae Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (K.C. 

Gmel.) Palla softstem bulrush X

Ephedraceae Ephedra viridis Coville mormon tea X X X

Euphorbiaceae Chamaesyce albomarginata (Torr. & Gray) 

Small whitemargin sandmat X X

Chamaesyce capitellata (Engelm.) Millsp. head sandmat X

Chamaesyce chaetocalyx (Boiss.) Woot. & 

Standl. var. chaetocalyx bristlecup sandmat X

Chamaesyce fendleri (Torr. & Gray) Small Fendler’s sandmat X

Chamaesyce polycarpa (Benth.) Millsp. ex 

Parish smallseed sandmat X

Chamaesyce stictospora (Engelm.) Small slimseed sandmat X

Croton texensis (Klotzsch) Muell.-Arg. Texas croton X X

Euphorbia brachycera Engelm. horned spurge X

Euphorbia spathulata Lam. warty spurge X

Tragia ramosa Torr. branched noseburn X

Fabaceae Acacia greggii Gray catclaw acacia X X X

Amorpha fruticosa L. desert false indigo X X

Astragalus allochrous var. playanus Isely halfmoon milkvetch X

Astragalus amphioxys Gray Crescent milkvetch X

Astragalus calycosus Torr. ex S. Wats. Torrey’s milkvetch X X

Astragalus calycosus var. scaposus (Gray) 

M.E. Jones Torrey’s milkvetch X

Astragalus lentiginosus Dougl. ex Hook. freckled milkvetch X

Astragalus lentiginosus var. diphysus (Gray) 

M.E. Jones freckled milkvetch X X

Astragalus lentiginosus var. palans (M.E. 

Jones) M.E. Jones freckled milkvetch X

Astragalus newberryi Gray Newberry’s milkvetch X X

Astragalus nuttallianus DC. smallflowered milkvetch X X

Astragalus nuttallianus var. trichocarpus 

Torr. & Gray turkeypeas X

Astragalus subcinereus Gray Silver’s milkvetch X

Astragalus tephrodes Gray ashen milkvetch X

Astragalus tephrodes var. brachylobus 

(Gray) Barneby ashen milkvetch X

Caesalpinia drepanocarpa (Gray) Fisher sicklepod holdback X X

Dalea formosa Torr. featherplume X X X

Dalea searlsiae (Gray) Barneby Searls’ prairie clover X

Desmanthus cooleyi (Eat.) Trel. Cooley’s bundleflower X

Lathyrus eucosmus Butters & St. John bush vetchling X

Lotus corniculatus L. birdfoot deervetch X X

Lotus humistratus Greene foothill deervetch X X

Lotus mearnsii (Britt.) Greene Mearns’ bird’s-foot trefoil X

Lupinus brevicaulis S. Wats. shortstem lupine X

Lupinus concinnus J.G. Agardh scarlet lupine X

Lupinus sparsiflorus Benth. Mojave lupine X

Medicago lupulina L. black medick X X

Medicago minima (L.) L. burr medick X X

Medicago polymorpha L. burclover X X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
28

Fabaceae Medicago sativa L. alfalfa X X

Melilotus indicus (L.) All. annual yellow sweetclover X X X

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover XXXX

Mimosa aculeaticarpa Ortega catclaw mimosa X

Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 

(Benth.) Barneby catclaw mimosa X X

Phaseolus angustissimus Gray slimleaf bean X

Prosopis velutina Woot. velvet mesquite X X X

Rhynchosia senna var. texana (Torr. & 

Gray) M.C. Johnston Texas snoutbean X

Senna bauhinioides (Gray) Irwin & Barneby twinleaf senna X X X

Trifolium repens L. white clover X X

Vicia ludoviciana Nutt. Louisiana vetch X X X

Fagaceae Quercus dunnii Kellogg Palmer oak X

Quercus turbinella Greene Sonoran scrub oak X X

Fumariaceae Corydalis aurea Willd. scrambled eggs X X

Corydalis curvisiliqua ssp. occidentalis 

(Engelm. ex Gray) W.A. Weber curvepod fumewort X

Geraniaceae Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér. ex Ait. redstem stork’s bill XXXXX

Erodium texanum Gray Texas stork’s bill X X

Grossulariaceae Ribes aureum Pursh golden currant X

Hydrophyllaceae Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var.

bipinnatifida (Torr.) Constance spotted hideseed X

Eucrypta micrantha (Torr.) Heller dainty desert hideseed X

Phacelia crenulata Torr. ex S. Wats. cleftleaf wildheliotrope X X

Phacelia cryptantha Greene hiddenflower phacelia X

Phacelia distans Benth. distant phacelia X

Phacelia ivesiana Torr. Ives’ phacelia X

Phacelia rotundifolia Torr. ex S. Wats. roundleaf phacelia X

Juglandaceae Juglans major (Torr.) Heller Arizona walnut X X X

Juncaceae Juncus saximontanus A. Nels. Rocky Mountain rush X

Juncus torreyi Coville Torrey’s rush X

Juncus xiphioides E. Mey. irisleaf rush X

Krameriaceae Krameria erecta Willd. ex J.A. Schultes littleleaf ratany X X X

Lamiaceae Hedeoma drummondii Benth. Drummond’s false pennyroyal X

Hedeoma nana (Torr.) Briq. dwarf false pennyroyal X X X

Hedeoma oblongifolia (Gray) Heller oblongleaf false pennyroyal X X

Lamium amplexicaule L. henbit deadnettle X

Marrubium vulgare L. horehound XXXXX

Mentha spicata L. spearmint X X

Salvia reflexa Hornem. lanceleaf sage X

Liliaceae Calochortus flexuosus S. Wats. winding mariposa lily X X X

Calochortus nuttallii Torr. & Gray sego lily X

Dichelostemma capitatum (Benth.) Wood

ssp. capitatum bluedicks X X X

Dichelostemma capitatum ssp.

pauciflorum (Torr.) G. Keator bluedicks X

Nolina microcarpa S. Wats. sacahuista X

Linaceae Linum lewisii Pursh prairie flax X

Linum puberulum (Engelm.) Heller plains flax X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
29

Loasaceae Mentzelia albicaulis (Dougl. ex Hook.) 

Dougl. ex Torr. & Gray whitestem blazingstar X

Mentzelia multiflora (Nutt.) Gray var.

multiflora Adonis blazingstar X

Mentzelia pumila Nutt. ex Torr. & Gray dwarf mentzelia X

Lythraceae Lythrum californicum Torr. & Gray California loosestrife X

Malvaceae Abutilon parvulum Gray dwarf Indian mallow X

Malva neglecta Wallr. common mallow X X X

Sphaeralcea ambigua Gray desert globemallow X X

Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia (Hook. & Arn.) 

Rydb. gooseberryleaf globemallow X

Sphaeralcea parvifolia A. Nels. smallflower globemallow X X

Sphaeralcea rusbyi Gray Rusby’s globemallow X

Nyctaginaceae Allionia incarnata L. trailing windmills X X

Boerhavia coccinea P. Mill. scarlet spiderling X X X

Boerhavia coulteri (Hook. f.) S. Wats. Coulter’s spiderling X

Boerhavia spicata Choisy creeping spiderling X

Mirabilis multiflora (Torr.) Gray Colorado four o’clock X

Mirabilis multiflora (Torr.) Gray var. multifloraColorado four o’clock X

Mirabilis pumila (Standl.) Standl. dwarf four o’clock X

Oleaceae Forestiera pubescens Nutt. stretchberry X

Forestiera pubescens var. pubescens Nutt. stretchberry X

Fraxinus velutina Torr. velvet ash X X X

Menodora scabra Gray rough menodora X X

Onagraceae Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh scarlet beeblossom X X X

Gaura hexandra Ortega harlequinbush X

Gaura hexandra ssp. gracilis (Woot. & 

Standl.) Raven & Gregory harlequinbush X

Gaura mollis James velvetweed X X

Oenothera albicaulis Pursh whitest evening-primrose X X

Oenothera caespitosa Nutt. tufted evening-primrose X X

Oenothera caespitosa ssp. marginata (Nutt. 

ex Hook. & Arn.) Munz tufted evening-primrose X

Oenothera flava (A. Nels.) Garrett yellow evening-primrose X

Orchidaceae Epipactis gigantea Dougl. ex Hook. stream orchid X

Papaveraceae Argemone pleiacantha ssp. ambigua G.B. 

Ownbey southwestern pricklypoppy X

Pedaliaceae Proboscidea parviflora (Woot.) Woot. & 

Standl. doubleclaw X

Pinaceae Pinus edulis Engelm. twoneedle pinyon X

Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frém. singleleaf pinyon X

Plantaginaceae Plantago major L. common plantain X X

Plantago patagonica Jacq. woolly plantain X X

Plantago rhodosperma Dcne. redseed plantain X X

Plantago virginica L. Virginia plantain X

Platanaceae Platanus wrightii S. Wats. Arizona sycamore X X X

Poaceae Achnatherum hymenoides (Roemer & J.A. 

Schultes) Barkworth Indian ricegrass X X X

Andropogon gerardii Vitman big bluestem X

Aristida purpurea Nutt. purple threeawn X X X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
30

Poaceae Aristida ternipes Cav. spidergrass X

Aristida ternipes var. gentilis (Henr.) Allred spidergrass X

Avena fatua L. wild oat XXXXX

Avena sativa L. common oat X X X

Bothriochloa barbinodis (Lag.) Herter cane bluestem X X

Bothriochloa saccharoides (Sw.) Rydb. silver bluestem X

Bouteloua aristidoides (Kunth) Griseb. needle grama X

Bouteloua barbata Lag. sixweeks grama X

Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. sideoats grama X X X

Bouteloua eriopoda (Torr.) Torr. black grama X X X

Bouteloua gracilis (Willd. ex Kunth) Lag. ex 

Griffiths blue grama X X

Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn. California brome X X X X

Bromus catharticus Vahl rescuegrass X

Bromus diandrus Roth ripgut brome X X

Bromus hordeaceus ssp. hordeaceus L. soft brome X

Bromus inermis Leyss. smooth brome X

Bromus rigidus Roth ripgut brome X X X

Bromus rubens L. red brome XXXXX

Bromus tectorum L. cheatgrass XXXXX

Cenchrus spinifex Cav. coastal sandbur X X

Chloris virgata Sw. feather fingergrass X

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Bermudagrass XXXX

Dasyochloa pulchella (Kunth) Willd. ex 

Rydb. low woollygrass X X

Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. hairy crabgrass X

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. barnyardgrass XXXX

Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides (Raf.) 

Swezey squirreltail X X

Elymus glaucus Buckl. blue wildrye X X

Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus 

(Link) A.& D. Löve slender wheatgrass X X

Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Vign. ex 

Janchen stinkgrass X X X

Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees weeping lovegrass X

Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees Lehmann lovegrass X X X

Erioneuron pilosum (Buckl.) Nash hairy woollygrass X X X

Hesperostipa neomexicana (Thurb. ex 

Coult.) Barkworth New Mexico feathergrass X X X

Hilaria belangeri (Steud.) Nash curly-mesquite X

Hordeum jubatum L. foxtail barley X X

Hordeum marinum ssp. gussonianum 

(Parl.) Thellung Mediterranean barley X X

Hordeum murinum L. mouse barley X

Hordeum murinum ssp. glaucum (Steud.) 

Tzvelev smooth barley X X X

Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum (Link) 

Arcang. leporinum barley X X

Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata (Steudl.) 

N. Snow mucronate sprangeltop X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
31

Poaceae Muhlenbergia asperifolia (Nees & Meyen 

ex Trin.) Parodi scratchgrass X X

Muhlenbergia porteri Scribn. ex Beal bush muhly X X X

Paspalum distichum L. knotgrass X

Pleuraphis mutica Buckl. tobosagrass X X X

Poa bigelovii Vasey & Scribn. Bigelow’s bluegrass X

Poa fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey muttongrass X X

Poa fendleriana ssp. longiligula (Scribn. 

& Williams) Soreng muttongrass X

Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. annual rabbitsfoot grass XXXX

Polypogon viridis (Gouan) Breistr. beardless rabbitsfoot grass X

Schismus barbatus (Loefl. ex L.) 

Thellung common Mediterranean grass X X X X

Schizachyrium Nees little bluestem X

Setaria grisebachii Fourn. Grisebach’s bristlegrass X

Setaria leucopila (Scribn. & Merr.) K. 

Schum. streambed bristlegrass X

Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. green bristlegrass X X X

Setaria vulpiseta (Lam.) Roemer & J.A. 

Schultes plains bristlegrass X

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Johnsongrass XXXXX

Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr. alkali sacaton X X

Sporobolus contractus A.S. Hitchc. spike dropseed X

Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) Gray sand dropseed X X

Tridens muticus (Torr.) Nash slim tridens X

Urochloa arizonica (Scribn. & Merr.) O. 

Morrone & F. Zuloaga Arizona signalgrass X

Polemoniaceae Eriastrum diffusum (Gray) Mason miniature woollystar X

Eriastrum eremicum (Jepson) Mason desert woollystar X

Gilia flavocincta A. Nels. lesser yellowthroat gilia X X

Gilia sinuata Dougl. ex Benth. rosy gilia X

Ipomopsis longiflora (Torr.) V. Grant flaxflowered ipomopsis X

Phlox amabilis Brand Arizona phlox X

Phlox speciosa ssp. woodhousei (Torr. ex 

Gray) Wherry Woodhouse’s phlox X X

Polygalaceae Polygala rusbyi Greene Rusby’s milkwort X X X

Polygala scoparioides Chod. broom milkwort X

Eriogonum abertianum Torr. var. abertianumAbert’s buckwheat X

Eriogonum deflexum Torr. flatcrown buckwheat X

Eriogonum deflexum Torr. var. deflexum flatcrown buckwheat X

Eriogonum inflatum Torr. & Frém. desert trumpet X

Eriogonum microthecum var. simpsonii 

(Benth.) Reveal Simpson’s buckwheat X X

Eriogonum trichopes Torr. little deserttrumpet X X

Eriogonum wrightii var. wrightii Torr. ex 

Benth. bastardsage X

Polygonum aviculare L. prostrate knotweed XXXX

Polygonum punctatum Ell. dotted smartweed X

Rumex crispus L. curly dock X X

Rumex hymenosepalus Torr. canaigre dock X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
32

Portulacaceae Calandrinia ciliata (Ruiz & Pavón) DC. fringed redmaids X

Potamogetonaceae Potamogeton gramineus L. variableleaf pondweed X

Potamogeton nodosus Poir. longleaf pondweed X

Stuckenia pectinatus (L.) Boerner sago pondweed X

Primulaceae Androsace occidentalis Pursh western rockjasmine X

Samolus valerandi ssp. parviflorus (Raf.) 

Hultén seaside brookweed X

Ranunculaceae Anemone tuberosa Rydb. tuber anemone X X

Aquilegia chrysantha Gray golden columbine X

Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt. western white clematis X

Delphinium scaposum Greene tall mountain larkspur X X

Rhamnaceae Frangula californica ssp. californica 

(Eschsch.) Gray California buckthorn X

Frangula californica ssp. ursina (Greene) 

Kartesz & Gandhi California buckthorn X

Ziziphus obtusifolia (Hook. ex Torr. & Gray) 

Gray lotebush X X

Ziziphus obtusifolia var. canescens (Gray) 

M.C. Johnston lotebush X

Rosaceae Purshia stansburiana (Torr.) Henrickson Stansbury cliffrose X X X

Rubus arizonensis Focke Arizona dewberry X

Rubiaceae Galium aparine L. stickywilly X X

Galium microphyllum Gray bracted bedstraw X

Galium proliferum Gray limestone bedstraw X X

Rutaceae Ptelea trifoliata L. common hoptree X

Ptelea trifoliata ssp. pallida (Greene) V. 

Bailey pallid hoptree X

Thamnosma texana (Gray) Torr. rue of the mountains X X

Salicaceae Salix amygdaloides Anderss. peachleaf willow X

Salix bonplandiana Kunth Bonpland willow X

Salix exigua Nutt. narrowleaf willow X

Salix gooddingii Ball Goodding’s willow X X

Sapindaceae Sapindus saponaria L. wingleaf soapberry X

Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii (Hook. 

& Arn.) L. Benson western soapberry X

Scrophulariaceae Castilleja applegatei ssp. martinii (Abrams) 

Chuang & Heckard wavyleaf Indian paintbrush X X X

Castilleja integra Gray wholeleaf Indian paintbrush X

Cordylanthus laxiflorus Gray nodding bird’s-beak X

Linaria dalmatica (L.) P. Mill. Dalmatian toadflax X X X X

Maurandella antirrhiniflora (Humb. & Bonpl. 

ex Willd.) Rothm. roving sailor X X

Mimulus guttatus DC. seep monkeyflower X

Mimulus rubellus Gray little redstem monkeyflower X

Penstemon eatonii ssp. undosus (M.E. 

Jones) Keck Eaton’s penstemon X

Penstemon pseudospectabilis M.E. Jones desert penstemon X

Penstemon pseudospectabilis ssp.

connatifolius (A. Nels.) Keck desert beardtongue X X

Penstemon thompsoniae (Gray) Rydb. Thompson’s beardtongue X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
33

Scrophulariaceae Stemodia durantifolia (L.) Sw. whitewoolly twintip X

Verbascum thapsus L. common mullein X X X

Veronica anagallis-aquatica L. water speedwell X X

Simaroubaceae Ailanthus altissima (P. Mill.) Swingle tree of heaven X X

Solanaceae Calibrachoa parviflora (Juss.) D’Arcy seaside petunia X

Chamaesaracha coronopus (Dunal) Gray greenleaf five eyes X X

Datura wrightii Regel sacred thorn-apple X

Lycium pallidum Miers pale desert-thorn X X X

Nicotiana attenuata Torr. ex S. Wats. coyote tobacco X

Nicotiana obtusifolia var. obtusifolia Mertens 

& Galeotti desert tobacco X

Nicotiana trigonophylla var. trigonophylla 

Dunal desert tobacco X

Physalis acutifolia (Miers) Sandw. sharpleaf groundcherry X X

Physalis hederifolia var. fendleri (Gray) 

Cronq. Fendler’s groundcherry X

Solanum douglasii Dunal greenspot nightshade X

Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. silverleaf nightshade X X

Tamaricaceae Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. saltcedar X X

Ulmaceae Celtis laevigata var. reticulata (Torr.) L. 

Benson netleaf hackberry X X X

Urticaceae Parietaria hespera Hinton rillita pellitory X

Verbenaceae Aloysia wrightii Heller ex Abrams Wright’s beebrush X X

Glandularia gooddingii (Briq.) Solbrig southwestern mock vervain X

Glandularia wrightii (Gray) Umber Davis Mountain mock vervain X

Tetraclea coulteri Gray Coulter’s wrinklefruit X X

Violaceae Hybanthus verticillatus (Ortega) Baill. babyslippers X X

Viscaceae Phoradendron tomentosum (DC.) Engelm. 

ex Gray Christmas mistletoe X X

Vitaceae Vitis arizonica Engelm. canyon grape X X

Zannichelliaceae Zannichellia palustris L. horned pondweed X

Zygophyllaceae Kallstroemia californica (S. Wats.) Vail California caltrop X

Kallstroemia parviflora J.B.S. Norton warty caltrop X

Larrea tridentata (Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) 

Coville creosote bush X X

Larrea tridentata var. tridentata (Sessé & 

Moc. ex DC.) Coville creosote bush X

Tribulus terrestris L. puncturevine X X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
34

Appendix B. Plant species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM, Well unit. Based on Brian and Rowlands (B&R;

1994), Rowlands (Row; 1999), Halvorson and Guertin (H&G; 2003), Mau-Crimmins et al. (Mau; 2004), and NPS (unpublished

data). Species in bold-faced type are non-native.

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS

Agavaceae Yucca elata (Engelm.) Engelm. soaptree yucca X X

Yucca elata var. verdiensis (McKelvey) 

Reveal Verdi yucca X

Anacardiaceae Rhus aromatica Ait. fragrant sumac X

Rhus trilobata Nutt. skunkbush sumac X X

Toxicodendron rydbergii (Small ex Rydb.) 

Greene western poison ivy X

Apiaceae Berula erecta (Huds.) Coville cutleaf waterparsnip X

Cymopterus multinervatus (Coult. & Rose) 

Tidestrom purplenerve springparsley X

Daucus pusillus Michx. American wild carrot X

Hydrocotyle verticillata Thunb. whorled marshpennywort X

Apocynaceae Apocynum cannabinum L. Indianhemp X

Asclepiadaceae Funastrum cynanchoides ssp.

cynanchoides (Dcne.) Schlechter fringed twinevine X X

Asteraceae Acourtia wrightii (Gray) Reveal & King brownfoot X X X

Ambrosia confertiflora DC. weakleaf burr ragweed X

Ambrosia psilostachya DC. Cuman ragweed X

Artemisia carruthii Wood ex Carruth. Carruth’s sagewort X

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. white sagebrush X X X

Aster L. aster X

Baccharis emoryi Gray Emory’s baccharis X X

Baccharis salicifolia (Ruiz & Pavón) Pers. mule’s fat X X

Baccharis sarothroides Gray desertbroom X

Bahia dissecta (Gray) Britt. ragleaf bahia X

Baileya pleniradiata Harvey & Gray ex Gray woolly desert marigold X

Bidens laevis (L.) B.S.P. smooth beggartick X

Brickellia atractyloides Gray spearleaf brickellbush X X

Brickellia californica (Torr. & Gray) Gray California brickellbush X X

Brickellia floribunda Gray Chihuahuan brickellbush X

Centaurea melitensis L. Maltese star-thistle XXXX

Centaurea solstitialis L. yellow star-thistle X

Chaetopappa ericoides (Torr.) Nesom rose heath X X

Chloracantha spinosa (Benth.) Nesom spiny chloracantha X

Cichorium intybus L. chicory X X

Cirsium arizonicum (Gray) Petrak Arizona thistle X

Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Canadian horseweed X X

Encelia farinosa Gray ex Torr. goldenhills X

Encelia frutescens (Gray) Gray button brittlebush X X

Encelia virginensis A. Nels. Virgin River brittlebush X

Erigeron concinnus (Hook. & Arn.) Torr. 

& Gray Navajo fleabane X X

Erigeron divergens Torr. & Gray spreading fleabane X X

Gaillardia pinnatifida Torr. red dome blanketflower X

Gutierrezia microcephala (DC.) Gray threadleaf snakeweed X
35

Asteraceae Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. & 

Rusby broom snakeweed X X X

Helianthus annuus L. common sunflower X X X

Heterotheca subaxillaris (Lam.) Britt. & 

Rusby camphorweed X X

Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners hairy false goldenaster X

Hymenoclea monogyra Torr. & Gray ex Gray singlewhorl burrobrush X X

Hymenothrix loomisii Blake Loomis’ thimblehead X

Lactuca saligna L. willowleaf lettuce X

Lactuca serriola L. prickly lettuce X X X

Melampodium leucanthum Torr. & Gray plains blackfoot X X

Packera neomexicana var. neomexicana 

(Gray) W.A. Weber & A. Löve New Mexico groundsel X

Parthenium incanum Kunth mariola X X X

Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus Less. threadleaf ragwort X X

Solidago canadensis var. scabra Torr. 

& Gray Canada goldenrod X

Solidago velutina DC. threenerve goldenrod X

Solidago wrightii Gray Wright’s goldenrod X X

Sonchus asper (L.) Hill spiny sowthistle X X

Stephanomeria minor var. minor (Hook.) 

Nutt. narrowleaf wirelettuce X

Stephanomeria pauciflora (Torr.) A. Nels. brownplume wirelettuce X

Symphyotrichum divaricatum (Nutt.) Nesom southern annual saltmarsh aster X

Symphyotrichum falcatum var. falcatum 

(Lindl.) Nesom white prairie aster X

Symphyotrichum praealtum var. praealtum 

(Poir.) Nesom willowleaf aster X

Taraxacum laevigatum (Willd.) DC. rock dandelion X

Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex 

Wiggers common dandelion X

Tragopogon dubius Scop. yellow salsify X X

Uropappus lindleyi (DC.) Nutt. Lindley’s silverpuffs X X

Verbesina encelioides ssp. exauriculata 

(Robins. & Greenm.) J.R. Coleman golden crownbeard X

Xanthium strumarium L. rough cockleburr X X X

Berberidaceae Mahonia haematocarpa (Woot.) Fedde red barberry X X X

Betulaceae Alnus oblongifolia Torr. Arizona alder X X X

Bignoniaceae Chilopsis linearis (Cav.) Sweet desert willow X

Chilopsis linearis ssp. arcuata (Fosberg) 

Henrickson desert willow X

Boraginaceae Amsinckia menziesii (Lehm.) A. Nels. & 

J.F. Macbr. Menzies’ fiddleneck X

Cryptantha Lehm. ex G. Don cryptantha X

Boraginaceae Lappula occidentalis var. cupulata (Gray) 

Higgins flatspine stickseed X

Lappula occidentalis var. occidentalis 

(S. Wats.) Greene flatspine stickseed X X

Lithospermum incisum Lehm. narrowleaf stoneseed X X

Brassicaceae Brassica tournefortii Gouan Asian mustard X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
36

Brassicaceae Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. shepherd’s purse X X

Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britt. western tansymustard X X

Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl herb sophia X X X

Draba cuneifolia Nutt. ex Torr. & Gray wedgeleaf draba X

Lepidium lasiocarpum Nutt. shaggyfruit pepperweed X X

Lesquerella arizonica S. Wats. Arizona bladderpod X

Lesquerella gordonii (Gray) S. Wats. Gordon’s bladderpod X

Lesquerella tenella A. Nels. Moapa bladderpod X

Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek watercress X X

Sisymbrium irio L. London rocket XXXXX

Streptanthus carinatus ssp. arizonicus (S. 

Wats.) Kruckeberg, Rodman & Worthington lyreleaf jewelflower X

Cactaceae Echinocereus fendleri var.

boyce-thompsonii (Orcutt) L. Benson Boyce Thompson hedgehog cactusX

Echinocereus fendleri var. fasciculatus 

(Engelm. ex B.D. Jackson) N.P. Taylor pinkflower hedgehog cactus X

Escobaria vivipara var. arizonica (Engelm.) 

D.R. Hunt Arizona spinystar X X

Escobaria vivipara var. vivipara (Nutt.) 

Buxbaum spinystar X

Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck var.

engelmannii cactus apple X

Opuntia leptocaulis DC. Christmas cactus X X

Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra 

Engelm. purple pricklypear X X

Opuntia macrorhiza Engelm. twistspine pricklypear X

Opuntia macrorhiza Engelm. var.

macrorhiza twistspine pricklypear X

Opuntia phaeacantha Engelm. tulip pricklypear X X

Opuntia phaeacantha var. major Engelm. Mojave pricklypear X

Campanulaceae Lobelia cardinalis L. cardinalflower X

Capparaceae Cleome lutea var. jonesii J.F. Macbr. Jones spiderflower X

Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma 

(Torr. & Gray) Iltis sandyseed clammyweed X

Caryophyllaceae Silene antirrhina L. sleepy silene X

Celastraceae Canotia holacantha Torr. crucifixion thorn X

Chenopodiaceae Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. fourwing saltbush X X

Chenopodium berlandieri var. sinuatum 

(J. Murr) H.A. Wahl pitseed goosefoot X

Chenopodium fremontii S. Wats. Fremont’s goosefoot X

Krascheninnikovia lanata (Pursh) A.D.J. 

Meeuse & Smit winterfat X X

Salsola tragus L. prickly Russian thistle X X

Convolvulaceae Convolvulus arvensis L. field bindweed X X X

Convolvulus equitans Benth. Texas bindweed X

Ipomoea hederacea Jacq. ivyleaf morning-glory X X

Cucurbitaceae Cucurbita foetidissima Kunth Missouri gourd X X

Cupressaceae Juniperus coahuilensis (Martinez) Gaussen 

ex R.P. Adams redberry juniper X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
37

Cupressaceae Juniperus monosperma (Engelm.) Sarg. oneseed juniper X X X

Juniperus osteosperma (Torr.) Little Utah juniper X X X

Cyperaceae Cyperus esculentus L. chufa flatsedge X X X

Cyperus niger Ruiz & Pavón black flatsedge X

Eleocharis parishii Britt. Parish’s spikerush X

Eleocharis rostellata (Torr.) Torr. beaked spikerush X

Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (K.C. 

Gmel.) Palla softstem bulrush X

Ephedraceae Ephedra viridis Coville mormon tea X X X

Equisetaceae Equisetum hyemale var. affine (Engelm.) 

A.A. Eat. scouringrush horsetail X

Euphorbiaceae Acalypha neomexicana Muell.-Arg. New Mexico copperleaf X

Chamaesyce albomarginata (Torr. & Gray) 

Small whitemargin sandmat X

Chamaesyce capitellata (Engelm.) Millsp. head sandmat X

Chamaesyce chaetocalyx (Boiss.) Woot. 

& Standl. var. chaetocalyx bristlecup sandmat X

Chamaesyce fendleri (Torr. & Gray) Small Fendler’s sandmat X

Chamaesyce maculata (L.) Small spotted sandmat X

Chamaesyce serpyllifolia ssp. serpyllifolia 

(Pers.) Small thymeleaf sandmat X

Euphorbia brachycera Engelm. horned spurge X

Tragia ramosa Torr. branched noseburn X

Fabaceae Acacia greggii Gray catclaw acacia X X X

Amorpha fruticosa L. desert false indigo X X

Astragalus calycosus Torr. ex S. Wats. Torrey’s milkvetch X X

Astragalus calycosus var. scaposus (Gray) 

M.E. Jones Torrey’s milkvetch X X

Astragalus lentiginosus Dougl. ex Hook. freckled milkvetch X

Astragalus lentiginosus var. diphysus 

(Gray) M.E. Jones freckled milkvetch X

Astragalus lentiginosus var. palans 

(M.E. Jones) M.E. Jones freckled milkvetch X

Astragalus nuttallianus DC. smallflowered milkvetch X X

Astragalus tephrodes var. brachylobus 

(Gray) Barneby ashen milkvetch X

Caesalpinia drepanocarpa (Gray) Fisher sicklepod holdback X X

Calliandra humilis Benth. dwarf stickpea X

Fabaceae Dalea formosa Torr. featherplume X X

Desmanthus cooleyi (Eat.) Trel. Cooley’s bundleflower X

Hoffmannseggia glauca (Ortega) Eifert Indian rushpea X

Lotus corniculatus L. birdfoot deervetch X X

Lotus mearnsii (Britt.) Greene Mearns’ bird’s-foot trefoil X

Lupinus brevicaulis S. Wats. shortstem lupine X

Medicago polymorpha L. burclover X X

Medicago sativa L. alfalfa X X

Melilotus indicus (L.) All. annual yellow sweetclover XXXX

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweetclover XXXX

Mimosa aculeaticarpa Ortega catclaw mimosa X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
38

Fabaceae Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera 

(Benth.) Barneby catclaw mimosa X X

Phaseolus angustissimus Gray slimleaf bean X X

Prosopis velutina Woot. velvet mesquite X X X

Senna bauhinioides (Gray) Irwin & Barneby twinleaf senna X

Vicia ludoviciana Nutt. Louisiana vetch X

Fagaceae Quercus turbinella Greene Sonoran scrub oak X X

Fumariaceae Corydalis aurea Willd. scrambled eggs X X

Corydalis curvisiliqua ssp. occidentalis 

(Engelm. ex Gray) W.A. Weber curvepod fumewort X

Geraniaceae Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér. ex Ait. redstem stork’s bill XXXXX

Erodium texanum Gray Texas stork’s bill X X

Grossulariaceae Ribes aureum Pursh golden currant X

Hydrophyllaceae Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. bipinnatifida 

(Torr.) Constance spotted hideseed X

Eucrypta micrantha (Torr.) Heller dainty desert hideseed X

Phacelia crenulata Torr. ex S. Wats. cleftleaf wildheliotrope X

Phacelia rotundifolia Torr. ex S. Wats. roundleaf phacelia X

Juglandaceae Juglans major (Torr.) Heller Arizona walnut X X

Juncaceae Juncus xiphioides E. Mey. irisleaf rush X

Krameriaceae Krameria erecta Willd. ex J.A. Schultes littleleaf ratany X X X

Lamiaceae Hedeoma drummondii Benth. Drummond’s false pennyroyal X

Lamium amplexicaule L. henbit deadnettle X

Marrubium vulgare L. horehound XXXXX

Mentha spicata L. spearmint X X

Salvia reflexa Hornem. lanceleaf sage X

Liliaceae Calochortus flexuosus S. Wats. winding mariposa lily X

Dichelostemma capitatum (Benth.) Wood 

ssp. capitatum bluedicks X X

Linaceae Linum lewisii Pursh prairie flax X

Linum puberulum (Engelm.) Heller plains flax X

Loasaceae Mentzelia multiflora (Nutt.) Gray var.

multiflora Adonis blazingstar X

Lythraceae Lythrum californicum Torr. & Gray California loosestrife X X

Malvaceae Abutilon parvulum Gray dwarf Indian mallow X

Malva neglecta Wallr. common mallow X X

Malva parviflora L. cheeseweed mallow X

Sida abutifolia P. Mill. spreading fanpetals X

Sphaeralcea ambigua Gray desert globemallow X X

Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia (Hook. & Arn.) 

Rydb. gooseberryleaf globemallow X

Sphaeralcea parvifolia A. Nels. smallflower globemallow X

Sphaeralcea rusbyi Gray Rusby’s globemallow X

Moraceae Morus microphylla Buckl. Texas mulberry X

Nyctaginaceae Allionia incarnata L. trailing windmills X X

Boerhavia coccinea P. Mill. scarlet spiderling X X X

Boerhavia erecta L. erect spiderling X

Mirabilis bigelovii Gray wishbone-bush X

Mirabilis multiflora (Torr.) Gray Colorado four o’clock X

Mirabilis multiflora (Torr.) Gray var. multifloraColorado four o’clock X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
39

Nyctaginaceae Mirabilis pumila (Standl.) Standl. dwarf four o’clock X

Oleaceae Fraxinus velutina Torr. velvet ash X X X

Menodora scabra Gray rough menodora X X

Onagraceae Gaura coccinea Nutt. ex Pursh scarlet beeblossom X

Gaura mollis James velvetweed X

Oenothera albicaulis Pursh whitest evening-primrose X X

Oenothera caespitosa ssp. marginata (Nutt. 

ex Hook. & Arn.) Munz tufted evening-primrose X

Oenothera elata ssp. hirsutissima (Gray ex 

S. Wats.) W. Dietr. Hooker’s evening-primrose X

Orchidaceae Epipactis gigantea Dougl. ex Hook. stream orchid X

Papaveraceae Argemone polyanthemos (Fedde) G.B. 

Ownbey crested pricklypoppy X X

Plantaginaceae Plantago lanceolata L. narrowleaf plantain X X X

Plantago major L. common plantain X X

Plantago patagonica Jacq. woolly plantain X

Platanaceae Platanus wrightii S. Wats. Arizona sycamore X X X

Poaceae Agrostis stolonifera L. creeping bentgrass X X

Aristida pansa Woot. & Standl. Wooton’s threeawn X

Aristida purpurea Nutt. purple threeawn X X X

Aristida purpurea var. longiseta (Steud.) 

Vasey Fendler threeawn X

Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi (Vasey) Allredblue threeawn X

Aristida ternipes Cav. spidergrass X

Avena fatua L. wild oat XXXX

Bothriochloa barbinodis (Lag.) Herter cane bluestem X

Bouteloua aristidoides (Kunth) Griseb. needle grama X

Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. sideoats grama X X

Bouteloua eriopoda (Torr.) Torr. black grama X X X

Bromus anomalus Rupr. ex Fourn. nodding brome X

Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn. California brome X

Bromus catharticus Vahl rescuegrass X

Bromus diandrus Roth ripgut brome X X

Bromus inermis Leyss. smooth brome X

Bromus rigidus Roth ripgut brome X X X

Bromus rubens L. red brome XXXXX

Bromus tectorum L. cheatgrass XXXX

Cenchrus spinifex Cav. coastal sandbur X

Chloris virgata Sw. feather fingergrass X

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Bermudagrass XXXXX

Digitaria californica (Benth.) Henr. Arizona cottontop X

Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. hairy crabgrass X

Echinochloa colona (L.) Link jungle rice X

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. barnyardgrass X X X

Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides (Raf.) 

Swezey squirreltail X X

Elymus glaucus Buckl. blue wildrye X

Elymus trachycaulus ssp. subsecundus 

(Link) A.& D. Löve slender wheatgrass X

Enneapogon desvauxii Desv. ex Beauv. nineawn pappusgrass X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
40

Poaceae Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Vign. ex 

Janchen stinkgrass X X

Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees weeping lovegrass X X

Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees Lehmann lovegrass X X X

Erioneuron pilosum (Buckl.) Nash hairy woollygrass X

Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) ssp.

comata needle and thread X

Hesperostipa neomexicana (Thurb. ex 

Coult.) Barkworth New Mexico feathergrass X X

Hilaria belangeri (Steud.) Nash curly-mesquite X

Hordeum marinum ssp. gussonianum 

(Parl.) Thellung Mediterranean barley X X

Hordeum murinum L. mouse barley X X

Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum 

(Link) Arcang. leporinum barley X X

Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. 

Darbyshire tall fescue X X

Lolium pratense (Huds.) S.J. Darbyshire meadow ryegrass X X

Muhlenbergia asperifolia (Nees & Meyen 

ex Trin.) Parodi scratchgrass X

Muhlenbergia porteri Scribn. ex Beal bush muhly X X X

Muhlenbergia repens (J. Presl) A.S. Hitchc. creeping muhly X \

Muhlenbergia rigens (Benth.) A.S. Hitchc. deergrass X

Panicum obtusum Kunth vine mesquite X

Panicum virgatum L. switchgrass X

Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) A. Löve western wheatgrass X X

Paspalum dilatatum Poir. dallisgrass X X

Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. pearl millet X X

Pleuraphis mutica Buckl. tobosagrass X X X

Poa bigelovii Vasey & Scribn. Bigelow’s bluegrass X

Poa fendleriana (Steud.) Vasey muttongrass X

Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. annual rabbitsfoot grass XXXX

Polypogon viridis (Gouan) Breistr. beardless rabbitsfoot grass X

Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve

ssp. spicata bluebunch wheatgrass X

Schismus barbatus (Loefl. ex L.) 

Thellung common Mediterranean grass X

Schizachyrium Nees little bluestem X

Setaria leucopila (Scribn. & Merr.) K. 

Schum. streambed bristlegrass X

Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen marsh bristlegrass X X

Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. green bristlegrass X

Setaria vulpiseta (Lam.) Roemer & J.A. 

Schultes plains bristlegrass X

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Johnsongrass XXXX

Sporobolus contractus A.S. Hitchc. spike dropseed X X

Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) Gray sand dropseed X X X

Tridens muticus (Torr.) Nash slim tridens X X

Tridens muticus var. elongatus (Buckl.) 

Shinners slim tridens X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
41

Polemoniaceae Eriastrum eremicum (Jepson) Mason desert woollystar X

Gilia sinuata Dougl. ex Benth. rosy gilia X

Ipomopsis longiflora (Torr.) V. Grant flaxflowered ipomopsis X

Phlox speciosa ssp. woodhousei (Torr. ex 

Gray) Wherry Woodhouse’s phlox X

Polygalaceae Polygala rusbyi Greene Rusby’s milkwort X

Polygala scoparioides Chod. broom milkwort X

Polygonaceae Eriogonum abertianum Torr. var. abertianumAbert’s buckwheat X

Eriogonum microthecum var. simpsonii 

(Benth.) Reveal Simpson’s buckwheat X X

Eriogonum wrightii Torr. ex Benth. bastardsage X

Eriogonum wrightii var. wrightii Torr. ex 

Benth. bastardsage X

Polygonum aviculare L. prostrate knotweed X

Polygonum punctatum Ell. dotted smartweed X

Rumex crispus L. curly dock X X X

Rumex hymenosepalus Torr. canaigre dock X

Portulacaceae Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata Donn 

ex Willd. miner’s lettuce X

Potamogetonaceae Potamogeton gramineus L. variableleaf pondweed X

Potamogeton nodosus Poir. longleaf pondweed X

Stuckenia pectinatus (L.) Boerner sago pondweed X

Primulaceae Samolus valerandi ssp. parviflorus (Raf.) 

Hultén seaside brookweed X

Pteridaceae Adiantum capillus-veneris L. common maidenhair X

Astrolepis integerrima (Hook.) Benham & 

Windham hybrid cloakfern X

Cheilanthes feei T. Moore slender lipfern X

Ranunculaceae Anemone tuberosa Rydb. tuber anemone X X

Aquilegia chrysantha Gray golden columbine X X

Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt. western white clematis X

Delphinium scaposum Greene tall mountain larkspur X X

Rhamnaceae Frangula californica ssp. californica 

(Eschsch.) Gray California buckthorn X X

Frangula californica ssp. ursina (Greene) 

Kartesz & Gandhi California buckthorn X

Ziziphus obtusifolia (Hook. ex Torr. & Gray) 

Gray lotebush X X

Ziziphus obtusifolia var. canescens (Gray) 

M.C. Johnston lotebush X

Rosaceae Purshia mexicana (D. Don) Henrickson Mexican cliffrose

Purshia stansburiana (Torr.) Henrickson Stansbury cliffrose X

Rubus arizonensis Focke Arizona dewberry X

Rubus discolor Weihe & Nees Himalayan blackberry X X

Rubiaceae Galium aparine L. stickywilly X X

Galium microphyllum Gray bracted bedstraw X

Rutaceae Thamnosma texana (Gray) Torr. rue of the mountains X

Salicaceae Populus fremontii S. Wats. Fremont cottonwood X

Populus fremontii S. Wats. ssp. fremontii Fremont cottonwood X

Salix bonplandiana Kunth Bonpland willow X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
42

Salicaceae Salix exigua Nutt. narrowleaf willow X

Salix gooddingii Ball Goodding’s willow X X

Sapindaceae Sapindus saponaria L. wingleaf soapberry X

Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii (Hook. 

& Arn.) L. Benson western soapberry X

Scrophulariaceae Castilleja applegatei ssp. martinii (Abrams) 

Chuang & Heckard wavyleaf Indian paintbrush X

Cordylanthus laxiflorus Gray nodding bird’s-beak X

Mimulus guttatus DC. seep monkeyflower X

Mimulus rubellus Gray little redstem monkeyflower X

Penstemon eatonii ssp. undosus (M.E. 

Jones) Keck Eaton’s penstemon X

Penstemon pseudospectabilis M.E. Jones desert penstemon X X

Penstemon pseudospectabilis ssp.

connatifolius (A. Nels.) Keck desert beardtongue X

Verbascum thapsus L. common mullein XXXX

Simaroubaceae Ailanthus altissima (P. Mill.) Swingle tree of heaven X X

Solanaceae Chamaesaracha coronopus (Dunal) Gray greenleaf five eyes X

Datura inoxia P. Mill. pricklyburr X X

Lycium pallidum Miers pale desert-thorn X X

Nicotiana obtusifolia var. obtusifolia 

Mertens & Galeotti desert tobacco X

Nicotiana trigonophylla var. trigonophylla 

Dunal desert tobacco X

Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. silverleaf nightshade X X

Tamaricaceae Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. saltcedar X X

Typhaceae Typha latifolia L. broadleaf cattail X

Ulmaceae Celtis laevigata var. reticulata (Torr.) L. 

Benson netleaf hackberry X X X

Urticaceae Parietaria hespera Hinton rillita pellitory X X

Parietaria pensylvanica Muhl. ex Willd. Pennsylvania pellitory X X

Verbenaceae Aloysia wrightii Heller ex Abrams Wright’s beebrush X

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida 

(Nutt.) Nutt. Dakota mock vervain X

Glandularia gooddingii (Briq.) Solbrig southwestern mock vervain X X X

Verbena bracteata Lag. & Rodr. bigbract verbena X

Vitaceae Parthenocissus vitacea (Knerr) A.S. Hitchc. woodbine X X

Vitis arizonica Engelm. canyon grape X X X

Zannichelliaceae Zannichellia palustris L. horned pondweed X

Zygophyllaceae Kallstroemia californica (S. Wats.) Vail California caltrop X

Larrea tridentata (Sessé & Moc. ex DC.) 

Coville creosote bush X

Larrea tridentata var. tridentata (Sessé & 

Moc. ex DC.) Coville creosote bush X X

Tribulus terrestris L. puncturevine X X X

Family Scientific name Common name B&R Row H&G Mau NPS
Appendix C. Fish species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM. Based on Montgomery et al. (1995, 1996).

Species in bold-faced type are non-native.

Family Scientific name Common name ESAa BLMb USFSc AZG&Fd

Catostomidae Catostomus insignis Sonora sucker SC X

Catostomus clarkii desert sucker SC X

Centrarchidae Lepomis cyanellus green sunfish

Micropterus dolomieu smallmouth bass

Cyprinidae Agosia chrysogaster longfin dace SC X

Cyprinella lutrensis red shiner

Cyprinus carpio common carp

Gila robusta roundtail chub SC X X

Ictaluridae Ameiurus natalis yellow bullhead

a ESA = Endangered Species Act: SC = Species of Concern (HDMS 2004).

b BLM = Bureau of Land Management: Sensitive species (HDMS 2004).

c USFS = U.S. Forest Service: Sensitive species (HDMS 2004).

d AZG&F = Arizona Game and Fish Department: Wildlife Species of Concern (HDMS 2004).

43
44

Appendix D. Amphibian and reptile species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM. Based on Drost and Nowak

(1998), unless indicated otherwise. Species in bold-faced type are non-native.

Taxon Family Scientific name Common name

Amphibian Bufonidae Bufo woodhousii Woodhouse’s toad

Bufo punctatus red-spotted toad

Hylidae Hyla arenicolor canyon treefrog

Ranidae Rana catesbeiana American bullfrog

Reptile Kinosternidae Kinosternon sonoriense Sonoran mud turtle

Emydidae Trachemys scripta pond slider

Trionychidae Trionyx spiniferus a spiny softshell

Eublepharidae Coleonyx variegatus western banded gecko

Crotaphytidae Crotaphytus collaris eastern collared lizard

Phrynosomatidae Cophosaurus texanus greater earless lizard

Sceloporus magister desert spiny lizard

Sceloporus clarkii Clark’s spiny lizard

Sceloporus undulatus eastern fence lizard

Uta stansburiana common side-blotched lizard

Urosaurus ornatus ornate tree lizard

Teiidae Cnemidophorus uniparens desert grassland whiptail

Cnemidophorus flagellicaudus Gila spotted whiptail

Cnemidophorus tigris western whiptail (tiger whiptail)

Anguidae Elgaria kingii Madrean alligator lizard

Helodermatidae Heloderma suspectum b Gila monster

Colubridae Diadophis punctatus ring-necked snake

Masticophis flagellum coachwhip

Masticophis taeniatus striped whipsnake

Salvadora hexalepis western patch-nosed snake

Pituophis catenifer gopher snake

Arizona elegans glossy snake

Lampropeltis getula common kingsnake

Rhinocheilus lecontei long-nosed snake

Thamnophis cyrtopsis black-necked garter snake

Sonora semiannulata western ground snake

Hypsiglena torquata night snake

Elapidae Micruroides euryxanthus Sonoran coral snake

Viperidae Crotalus atrox western diamond-backed rattlesnake

Crotalus molossus black-tailed rattlesnake

a Based on sighting by Paul Super (1994, unpublished notes).

b

Based on sighting by park personnel
45

Appendix E. Bird species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM. Based on Sogge et al. (In press). Underlined

species are Neotropical migrants (Rappole 1995). Species in bold-faced type are non-native.

Order Family Scientific name Common name ESAa USFSb AZG&Fc APFd USFWSe

Anseriformes

Anatidae Anser albifrons greater white-fronted goose

Chen caerulescens snow goose

Branta canadensis Canada goose

Aix sponsa wood duck

Anas strepera gadwall

Anas penelope Eurasian wigeon

Anas americana American wigeon

Anas platyrhynchos mallard

Anas discors blue-winged teal

Anas cyanoptera cinnamon teal

Anas clypeata northern shoveler

Anas acuta northern pintail

Anas crecca green-winged teal

Aythya valisineria canvasback

Aythya americana redhead

Aythya collaris ring-necked duck

Aythya affinis lesser scaup

Bucephala albeola bufflehead

Bucephala clangula common goldeneye

Lophodytes cucullatus hooded merganser

Mergus merganser common merganser

Oxyura jamaicensis ruddy duck

Galliformes

Phasianidae Phasianus colchicus ring-necked pheasant

Odontophoridae Callipepla gambelii Gambel’s quail

Podicipediformes

Podicipedidae Podilymbus podiceps pied-billed grebe

Ciconiiformes

Ardeidae Ardea herodias great blue heron

Egretta thula snowy egret X

Butorides virescens green heron

Nycticorax nycticorax black-crowned night-heron

Threskiornithidae Plegadis chihi white-faced Ibis SC X

Ciconiidae Mycteria americana wood stork LE

Cathartidae Cathartes aura turkey vulture

Falconiformes

Accipitridae Pandion haliaetus osprey X

Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle LT X X

Circus cyaneus northern harrier

Accipiter striatus sharp-shinned hawk X

Accipiter cooperii Cooper’s hawk

Accipiter gentilis northern goshawk SC X X

Buteogallus anthracinus common black-hawk X X X

Parabuteo unicinctus Harris’s hawk

Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawk

Buteo jamaicensis red-tailed hawk

Buteo regalis ferruginous hawk SC X
46

Falconiformes

Accipitridae Buteo lagopus rough-legged hawk

Aquila chrysaetos golden eagle

Falconidae Falco sparverius American kestrel

Falco columbarius merlin

Falco peregrinus peregrine falcon SC X X

Gruiformes

Rallidae Rallus limicola Virginia rail

Porzana carolina sora

Gallinula chloropus common moorhen

Fulica americana American coot

Charadriiformes

Charadriidae Pluvialis squatarola black-bellied plover

Charadrius vociferus killdeer

Scolopacidae Catoptrophorus semipalmatus willet

Actitis macularis spotted sandpiper

Calidris bairdii Baird’s sandpiper

Gallinago gallinago common snipe

Phalaropus tricolor Wilson’s phalarope

Columbiformes

Columbidae Columba livia rock pigeon

Zenaida asiatica white-winged dove

Zenaida macroura mourning dove

Columbina passerina common ground-dove

Cuculiformes

Cuculidae Coccyzus americanus yellow-billed cuckoo C X X X X

Geococcyx californianus greater roadrunner

Strigiformes

Tytonidae Tyto alba barn owl

Strigidae Megascops kennicottii western screech-owl

Bubo virginianus great horned owl

Glaucidium gnoma northern pygmy-owl

Micrathene whitneyi elf owl X

Asio flammeus short-eared owl

Caprimulgiformes

Caprimulgidae Chordeiles acutipennis lesser nighthawk

Chordeiles minor common nighthawk

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii common poorwill

Apodiformes

Apodidae Chaetura vauxi Vaux’s swift

Aeronautes saxatalis white-throated swift

Trochilidae Lampornis clemenciae blue-throated hummingbird

Archilochus alexandri black-chinned hummingbird

Calypte anna Anna’s hummingbird

Calypte costae Costa’s hummingbird X

Selasphorus platycercus broad-tailed hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus rufous hummingbird

Coraciiformes

Alcedinidae Ceryle alcyon belted kingfisher X

Order Family Scientific name Common name ESAa USFSb AZG&Fc APFd USFWSe
47

Piciformes

Picidae Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus red-headed woodpecker

Melanerpes uropygialis Gila woodpecker X

Sphyrapicus thyroideus Williamson’s sapsucker

Sphyrapicus nuchalis red-naped sapsucker

Picoides scalaris ladder-backed woodpecker

Colaptes auratus northern flicker

Passeriformes

Tyrannidae Camptostoma imberbe northern beardless-tyrannulet

Contopus cooperi olive-sided flycatcher SC

Contopus sordidulus western wood-pewee

Empidonax traillii willow flycatcher X

Empidonax wrightii gray flycatcher

Empidonax occidentalis or difficilis western flycatcher

Sayornis nigricans black phoebe

Sayornis saya Say’s phoebe

Pyrocephalus rubinus vermilion flycatcher

Myiarchus cinerascens ash-throated flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus brown-crested flycatcher

Tyrannus vociferans Cassin’s kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis western kingbird

Laniidae Lanius ludovicianus loggerhead shrike SC X

Vireonidae Vireo bellii Bell’s vireo X X

Vireo vicinior gray vireo

Vireo plumbeus plumbeous vireo

Vireo huttoni Hutton’s vireo

Vireo gilvus warbling vireo

Corvidae Cyanocitta stelleri Steller’s jay

Aphelocoma californica western scrub-jay

Aphelocoma ultramarina Mexican jay

Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus pinyon jay

Corvus brachyrhynchos American crow

Corvus corax common raven

Alaudidae Eremophila alpestris horned lark

Hirundinidae Progne subis purple martin X

Tachycineta thalassina violet-green swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis northern rough-winged swallow

Riparia riparia bank swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota cliff swallow

Paridae Poecile gambeli mountain chickadee

Baeolophus wollweberi bridled titmouse

Baeolophus ridgwayi juniper titmouse

Remizidae Auriparus flaviceps verdin

Aegithalidae Psaltriparus minimus bushtit

Sittidae Sitta carolinensis white-breasted nuthatch

Sitta pygmaea pygmy nuthatch

Certhiidae Certhia americana brown creeper

Troglodytidae Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus cactus wren

Salpinctes obsoletus rock wren

Order Family Scientific name Common name ESAa USFSb AZG&Fc APFd USFWSe
48

Passeriformes

Troglodytidae Catherpes mexicanus canyon wren

Thryomanes bewickii Bewick’s wren

Troglodytes aedon house wren

Cistothorus palustris marsh wren

Regulidae Regulus calendula ruby-crowned kinglet

Sylviidae Polioptila caerulea blue-gray gnatcatcher

Turdidae Sialia mexicana western bluebird

Sialia currucoides mountain bluebird

Myadestes townsendi Townsend’s solitaire

Catharus guttatus hermit thrush

Turdus migratorius American robin

Mimidae Mimus polyglottos northern mockingbird

Oreoscoptes montanus sage thrasher

Toxostoma rufum brown thrasher

Toxostoma crissale crissal thrasher X

Sturnidae Sturnus vulgaris European starling

Motacillidae Anthus rubescens American pipit

Bombycillidae Bombycilla cedrorum cedar waxwing

Ptilogonatidae Phainopepla nitens phainopepla

Parulidae Vermivora chrysoptera golden-winged warbler

Vermivora celata orange-crowned warbler

Vermivora ruficapilla Nashville warbler

Vermivora virginiae Virginia’s warbler

Vermivora luciae Lucy’s warbler X

Dendroica petechia yellow warbler

Dendroica caerulescens black-throated blue warbler

Dendroica coronata yellow-rumped warbler

Dendroica nigrescens black-throated gray warbler

Dendroica townsendi Townsend’s warbler

Dendroica graciae Grace’s warbler

Seiurus noveboracensis northern waterthrush

Oporornis tolmiei MacGillivray’s warbler

Geothlypis trichas common yellowthroat

Wilsonia citrina hooded warbler

Wilsonia pusilla Wilson’s warbler

Icteria virens yellow-breasted chat

Thraupidae Piranga flava hepatic tanager

Piranga rubra summer tanager

Piranga ludoviciana western tanager

Emberizidae Pipilo chlorurus green-tailed towhee

Pipilo maculatus spotted towhee

Pipilo fuscus canyon towhee

Pipilo aberti Abert’s towhee

Aimophila ruficeps rufous-crowned sparrow

Spizella arborea American tree sparrow

Spizella passerina chipping sparrow

Spizella breweri Brewer’s sparrow

Spizella atrogularis black-chinned sparrow

Pooecetes gramineus vesper sparrow

Order Family Scientific name Common name ESAa USFSb AZG&Fc APFd USFWSe
49

Passeriformes

Emberizidae Chondestes grammacus lark sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii Lincoln’s sparrow

Amphispiza bilineata black-throated sparrow

Amphispiza belli sage sparrow

Melospiza melodia song sparrow

Zonotrichia albicollis white-throated sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys white-crowned sparrow

Junco hyemalis dark-eyed junco

Cardinalidae Cardinalis cardinalis northern cardinal

Pheucticus melanocephalus black-headed grosbeak

Passerina caerulea blue grosbeak

Passerina amoena lazuli bunting

Passerina cyanea indigo bunting

Icteridae Agelaius phoeniceus red-winged blackbird

Sturnella neglecta western meadowlark

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus yellow-headed blackbird

Euphagus cyanocephalus Brewer’s blackbird

Quiscalus mexicanus great-tailed grackle

Molothrus ater brown-headed cowbird

Icterus cucullatus hooded oriole

Icterus bullockii Bullock’s oriole

Icterus parisorum Scott’s oriole

Fringillidae Carpodacus purpureus purple finch

Carpodacus cassinii Cassin’s finch

Carpodacus mexicanus house finch

Loxia curvirostra red crossbill

Carduelis pinus pine siskin

Carduelis psaltria lesser goldfinch

Carduelis tristis American goldfinch

Coccothraustes vespertinus evening grosbeak

Passeridae Passer domesticus house sparrow

a ESA = Endangered Species Act: SC = Species of Concern, LT = Listed as Threatened, LE = Listed as Endangered, 

C = Candidate species (HDMS 2005). b USFS = U.S. Forest Service: Sensitive species (HDMS 2004).

c AZG&F = Arizona Game and Fish Department: Wildlife Species of Concern (HDMS 2004).

d APF = Arizona Partners in Flight: Priority species (Latta et al. 1999).

e USFWS = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Bird of Conservation Concern (USFWS 2002).

Order Family Scientific name Common name ESAa USFSb AZG&Fc APFd USFWSe
50

Appendix F. Mammal species observed or collected at Montezuma Castle NM. Based on Drost and Ellison (D&E; 1996) and

Bucci and Petryszyn (B&P; 2004). Species in bold-face type are non-native.

Order Family Scientific name Common name D&E B&P ESAa BLMb USFSc AZG&Fd

Insectivora

Soricidae Notiosorex crawfordi Crawford’s desert shrew X

Chiroptera

Vespertilionidae Myotis occultus Arizona myotis X SC X

Myotis yumanensis Yuma myotis X X SC

Myotis auriculus southwestern myotis X

Myotis velifer cave myotis X X SC X

Myotis thysanodes fringed myotis X X SC X

Myotis californicus California myotis X X

Myotis ciliolabrum western small-footed myotis X X SC X

Pipistrellus hesperus western pipistrelle X X

Eptesicus fuscus big brown bat X X

Euderma maculatum spotted bat X SC X X

Lasiurus blossevillii western red bat X X

Lasiurus cinereus hoary bat X

Corynorhinus townsendii Townsend’s big-eared bat X X SC

Idionycteris phyllotis Allen’s big-eared bat X SC X

Antrozous pallidus pallid bat X X

Molossidae Tadarida brasiliensis Brazilian free-tailed bat X X

Nyctinomops femorosaccus pocketed free-tailed bat X X

Nyctinomops macrotis big free-tailed bat X SC X

Carnivora

Ursidae Ursus americanus American black bear X

Procyonidae Procyon lotor northern raccoon X

Bassariscus astutus ringtail X

Mustelidae Taxidea taxus American badger X

Lontra canadensis southwestern river otter X SC X X

Mephitidae Mephitis mephitis striped skunk X

Conepatus mesoleucus white-backed hog-nosed skunk X

Canidae Canis latrans coyote X

Urocyon cinereoargenteus common gray fox X

Felidae Felis catus feral cat X

Puma concolor mountain lion X

Lynx rufus bobcat X

Rodentia

Sciuridae Spermophilus variegatus rock squirrel X

Ammospermophilus harrisii Harris’ antelope squirrel X

Neotamias dorsalis cliff chipmunk X

Sciurus arizonensis Arizona gray squirrel X SC

Geomyidae Thomomys bottae Botta’s pocket gopher X

Heteromyidae Chaetodipus intermedius rock pocket mouse X SC

Dipodomys ordii Ord’s kangaroo rat X

Castoridae Castor canadensis American beaver X

Muridae Reithrodontomys megalotis western harvest mouse X

Peromyscus eremicus cactus mouse X SC X

Peromyscus maniculatus deer mouse X

Peromyscus leucopus white-footed mouse X

Peromyscus boylii brush mouse X
51

Rodentia

Muridae Peromyscus truei pinon mouse X

Onychomys leucogaster northern grasshopper mouse X

Neotoma albigula western white-throated woodrat X

Neotoma mexicana Mexican woodrat X SC

Neotoma stephensi Stephens’ woodrat X

Ondatra zibethicus common muskrat X

Erethizontidae Erethizon dorsatum North American porcupine X

Lagomorpha

Leporidae Lepus californicus black-tailed jackrabbit X

Sylvilagus floridanus eastern cottontail X

Sylvilagus audubonii desert cottontail X

Artiodactyla

Tayassuidae Pecari tajacu collared peccary X

Cervidae Cervus canadensis wapiti X

Odocoileus hemionus mule deer X

Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer X

a ESA = Endangered Species Act: SC = Species of Concern (HDMS 2005).

b

BLM = Bureau of Land Management: Sensitive species (HDMS 2005).

c

USFS = U.S. Forest Service: Sensitive species (HDMS 2005).

d AZG&F = Arizona Game and Fish Department: Wildlife Species of Concern (HDMS 2005).

Order Family Scientific name Common name D&E B&P ESAa BLMb USFSc AZG&Fd
52

Appendix G. Native fish species that have been extirpated (E) and non-native fish that no longer occur (NP) at

Montezuma Castle NM. Based on Montgomery et al. (1995). Species in bold-faced type are non-native.

Family Scientific name Common name Status

Centrarchidae Micropterus punctulatus spotted bass NP

Micropterus salmoides largemouth bass NP

Cyprinidae Meda fulgida spikedace E

Rhinichthys osculus speckled dace E

Rhinichthys cobitis loach minnow E

Ictaluridae Ameiurus melas black bullhead NP

Ictalurus punctatus channel catfish NP

Appendix H. Amphibian and reptile species that may occur (P) or have been extirpated (E) at Montezuma Castle NM.

Based on Drost and Nowak (D&N; 1998) and observations from nearby Tuzigoot NM (Schmidt et al. 2005; Sch).

Taxon Family Scientific name Common name D&N Sch

Amphibian Bufonidae Bufo microscaphus Arizona toad E

Rana yavapaiensis lowland leopard frog E

Reptile Phrynosomatidae Phrynosoma hernandesi greater short-horned lizard P

Leptotyphlopidae Leptotyphlops humilis western blind snake P

Colubridae Masticophis bilineatus Sonoran whipsnake P

Thamnophis eques Mexican garter snake P

Tantilla hobartsmithi southwestern black-headed snake P

Trimorphodon biscutatus western lyre snake P P

Viperidae Crotalus scutulatus Mojave rattlesnake P
53

Appendix I. Bird species that may occur at Montezuma Castle NM. Based on Sogge et al. (Sog; In press), and observations

from near the monument by the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (CBC; No date), Tuzigoot inventory (Schmidt et

al. 2005;Sch), and Larry Norris (LN). Underlined species are Neotropical migrants (Rappole 1995). 

Order Family Scientific name Common name Sog CBC Sch LN

Anseriformes

Anatidae Cygnus columbianus tundra swan X

Mergus serrator red-breasted merganser X

Gaviiformes

Gaviidae Gavia immer common loon X

Podicipediformes

Podicipedidae Podiceps nigricollis eared grebe X X

Aechmophorus occidentalis western grebe X

Pelecaniformes

Pelecanidae Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American white pelican X

Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax auritus double-crested cormorant X

Ciconiiformes

Ardeidae Botaurus lentiginosus American bittern X

Ixobrychus exilis least bittern X

Ardea alba great egret X

Egretta caerulea little blue heron X

Bubulcus ibis cattle egret X X

Falconiformes

Accipitridae Buteo albonotatus zone-tailed hawk X

Falconidae Caracara cheriway crested caracara X

Falco mexicanus prairie falcon X X

Gruiformes

Rallidae Rallus longirostris yumanensis Yuma clapper rail X

Charadriiformes

Recurvirostridae Himantopus mexicanus black-necked stilt X

Recurvirostra americana American avocet X

Scolopacidae Tringa melanoleuca greater yellowlegs X

Tringa flavipes lesser yellowlegs X

Tringa solitaria solitary sandpiper X

Numenius americanus long-billed curlew X

Limosa fedoa marbled godwit X

Calidris mauri western sandpiper X

Calidris minutilla least sandpiper X

Limnodromus scolopaceus long-billed dowitcher X

Phalaropus lobatus red-necked phalarope X

Laridae Larus pipixcan Franklin’s gull X

Larus philadelphia Bonaparte’s gull X

Larus delawarensis ring-billed gull X

Larus californicus California gull X

Xema sabini Sabine’s gull X

Sterna forsteri Forster’s tern X

Chlidonias niger Black tern X

Columbiformes

Columbidae Columbina inca Inca dove X X

Cuculiformes

Cuculidae Crotophaga sulcirostris groove-billed ani X
54

Strigiformes

Strigidae Asio otus long-eared owl X

Aegolius acadicus northern saw-whet owl X

Apodiformes

Trochilidae Stellula calliope calliope hummingbird X

Piciformes

Picidae Melanerpes formicivorus acorn woodpecker X X

Sphyrapicus varius yellow-bellied sapsucker X X

Picoides pubescens downy woodpecker X X

Picoides villosus hairy woodpecker X X

Passeriformes

Tyrannidae Empidonax hammondii Hammond’s flycatcher X

Empidonax oberholseri dusky flycatcher X

Myiarchus tuberculifer dusky-capped flycatcher X

Hirundinidae Tachycineta bicolor tree swallow X

Hirundo rustica barn swallow X

Sittidae Sitta canadensis red-breasted nuthatch X

Troglodytidae Troglodytes troglodytes winter wren X

Regulidae Regulus satrapa golden-crowned kinglet X

Sylviidae Polioptila melanura black-tailed gnatcatcher X

Turdidae Catharus ustulatus Swainson’s thrush X X

Mimidae Toxostoma bendirei Bendire’s thrasher X

Toxostoma curvirostre curve-billed thrasher X

Toxostoma lecontei Le Conte’s thrasher X X

Parulidae Dendroica occidentalis hermit warbler X

Cardellina rubrifrons red-faced warbler X

Myioborus pictus painted redstart X

Emberizidae Passerculus sandwichensis savannah sparrow X X

Calamospiza melanocorys lark bunting X X X

Passerella iliaca fox sparrow X

Calcarius ornatus chestnut-collared longspur X

Icteridae Sturnella magna eastern meadowlark X

Quiscalus quiscula common grackle X

Molothrus aeneus bronzed cowbird X X

Fringillidae Carduelis lawrencei Lawrence’s goldfinch X X

Order Family Scientific name Common name Sog CBC Sch LN
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Appendix J. Mammal species that may occur at Montezuma Castle NM. Based on Drost and Ellison (1996).

Order Family Scientific name Common name

Chiroptera Vespertilionidae Myotis leibii eastern small-footed myotis

Lasionycteris noctivagans silver-haired bat

Molossidae Eumops perotis western bonneted bat

Carnivora Procyonidae Nasua narica white-nosed coati

Mephitidae Spilogale gracilis western spotted skunk

Mephitis macroura hooded skunk

Rodentia Sciuridae Spermophilus lateralis golden-mantled ground squirrel

Heteromyidae Perognathus amplus Arizona pocket mouse

Chaetodipus hispidus hispid pocket mouse

Muridae Reithrodontomys montanus Plains harvest mouse

Onychomys torridus southern grasshopper mouse

Mus musculus house mouse

Appendix K. Voucher specimens from Montezuma Castle NM.

Taxon Common name Collection no. Collectiona Date collected Collector

Amphibian Arizona toad FWMSH 08/14/77 W. Voss

Reptile Sonoran mud turtle 1012 WACC

greater earless lizard 27882 UI 06/14/51 D. M. Smith and H. M. Smith

Clark’s spiny lizard 12421 CAS 01/01/50 D. E. Kidd

ornate tree lizard 6508 UC 04/23/53 T. P. Maslin

western patch-nosed snake 11726 CAS 05/09/49 H. K. Gloyd and K. Gloyd

black-necked garter snake 84308 UI 08/07/55 D. M. Smith, R. Urbano and F. A. Shannon

Bird gray flycatcher 383 UA

Mammal pronghorn 9057 WACC 03/00/59

a CAS = Chicago Academy of Science, FWMSH = Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, UA = University of Arizona, 

UC = University of Colorado Museum, UI = University of Illinois Museum of Natural History, WACC = Western Archaeological 

Conservation Center.
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