The Arvada enterprise., 1912-10-17

orally conveys the idea of large sand
plains devoid of all plant growth to those who
have not them But this is quite wrong
Impression, for there is hardly a square mile
anywhere in Serand where some kind of tree or
cactus cannot be found, though there may not be
any water for miles around. This fact makes the
botany of this region most interesting study
for II the vegetation were not provided with spe-
cla means of obtaining and storing water, 1t
could not survive All the trees and plants are
perennials and have enormously long roots The
mesquite tree (Prosops julinora) and the pals
verde tParkinsonia torreyana) are the most com
mon and the former bears kind of fruit or
bean. which the Indians grind into
member when travelling in the "Malpais" OF
Sonora | was obliged to rely for a whole month
on these mesquite beans alone to feed my horses
and pack animals, for grass Is practically absent
on these plains except for very coarCe variety
called "galleta" by the natives. which is some
times found in small patches. 1t says much for
the nutritive value OF the mesquite bean that |
lost none of my animals and only mule
seemed to be suffering towards the end of the
time. Most of the low-lying country is covered
with the Sonoran greasewood Garrea triden.
tata), small green bush of no value at ALL but
1t is ubiquitous throughout Sonora except in the
mountains. Bat the really characteristic plant
in Serand is the cactus, which abounds In a
variety OF forms. They all have very long roots
some OF which descend thirty feet to fifty feet
to reach water. The stem itself is formed OF
pulp, tnat grows round a wooden ald this
serves as storehouse for the water they obtain
while they are covered with a kind of glazed
cpidcrms TO prevent evaporation. and are fur.
nished with thorns, which efectually prevent
animals from feeding them The "saguarro"
giant castus (Cereus Eiganteus) is the most
Imposing, rising often to a height OF fifty or sixty
feet It may be In vast numbers over the
plains and on the lower part OF the mountain
slopes and It assumes an endless variety of
shapes ranging from the single straight stem to
when they are in flower for at the end OF each
those containing fifteen or twenty arms To
those who sec them for the first time they Ger.
tainly present remarkable sight, especially when
they are In flower, for at the end Of each branch
they bear wreath crown OF fragrant yellow
rose purple flowers No less unusual are the
orEau-pEe cactus or "pithahaya" (Cereus shot.
tD. They grow in clumps OF eighteen or twenty
stems, and reach n height Of fifteen feet to
twenty feet. A rarcr cactus Is the hlsnaga a
smaller form OF the saEuarro: but II has one pc.
cullur quality which makes II very valuable both
to the Indians and to travellers In the country
for Il is the only plant from which water Ht to
drink may be obtained The best way is to cut
on the top and to crush the pulp within with u
piece Of wood or stone Two to four pints OF
water can then be scooped out with a cup the
amount depending the size OF the plant Ex
cept for rather sickly taste the water is not
unpleasant
There is another unusual plant also found in
this reEion-the "ocotIllo" tFouqulera splen.
dens) This remarkable shrub which sometimes
attains height OF fifteen feet, is composed OF
n number OF long, thin branches covered with
thorns and bears the most brilliant scarlet
flowers
Once each year, Just after the short summer
rains the country wakes from its long drought
to a belated spring Gnycolorcd flowers nod
among the rocks and the cactus blossoms relieve
the otherwise somber landscape But this change
in the face Of the country Is Ns transient It Is