Plant Press Arizona

Formerly known as “The Plant Press”

The first publication of the Arizona Native Plant Society was the “Arizona Native Plant Society Newsletter.” It functioned as both a source of information on current Society events and information on plants related to plant biology, horticulture and conservation. In the spring of 1981, the newsletter’s name was changed to the “Arizona Native Plant Society Bulletin” and one issue later it was renamed again to “The Plant Press,” a name submitted by June Hirsch as part of a naming competition among Society members. “The Plant Press” continued to function as the Society’s newsletter but over time began to develop more in-depth content on native plants.

Beginning in 2005, the Society began to publish “Happenings” as a quarterly newsletter for all state chapter activities. In 2021 the name of the Society’s journal was modified to “Plant Press Arizona” in an effort to give some geographical reference to the Journal and to eliminate a duplication of the name with a newsletter published by the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Published semiannually in themed issues, the journal offers in-depth articles on a topic, such as rare plant conservation and regular features such as book reviews, committee reports, and spotlights on specific native plants.

Listed below are back issues of “Plant Press Arizona”/”The Plant Press” including the newsletter and Bulletin issues that pre-date the formal name changes, starting from the most recent to the oldest issue at the bottom. . Click on the volume number to download a copy. All of the journal’s authors are outstanding botanists and other scientists who have made many contribution to our understanding of the Arizona Flora. We are pleased to make copies of the journal available again.

Current Issue

Plant Press Arizona

Summer 2021

Vol. 44 No. 1

View Publication

Previous Publications

Cover of issue features four landscape photos of invasive plants

The Plant Press Winter 2020/21

Vol 43 Number 2

The Plant Press Winter 2020

The Plant Press

Vol 43 Number 2

Spring-Summer 2020

Vol 43 No 1

Winter 2019

A wide range of topics are covered in this issue based on presentations at the Botany 2019 Conference. The lead article describes vegetation changes observed in the Finger Rock Canyon Drainage of the Santa Catalina Mountains since 1984. Other topics range from a description of stone grids and the archaeology of Agave cultivation in the Safford Valley, AZ, to the results of conservation restoration projects in the Sky Islands and Sonoran Desert. Also included are presentations on the biology and distribution of the orchid genus Hexalectris in Arizona and the Giant Reed in Arizona and Sonora.

Summer 2019

Vol 42 No 1

An appreciation of Arizona’s “Big Trees” is highlighted in this issue. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s Magnificent Trees program is described and instructions are provided for those wishing to help identify Arizona’s largest trees. Chronicling place-based plant diversity is described in a case study of the plant life of the Cienega Creek Natural Preserve, Pima County, Arizona.

Winter 2018

Vol 41 No 2

Preliminary results of floristic surveys of the many Sky Islands of the Madrean Archipelego are presented here. Most focus on surveys done in Mexico with a couple of arizona floras too. Plus a review of this year’s renewed summer AZNPS outing to the Chiricahua Mountians of SE Arizona.

Summer 2018

Vol 41 No 1

Focus on the native gardener. Grow Native! Explores the many benefits,
both real and intangible, that can be realized by using native plants for gardening, landscaping, and restoration projects.

Fall 2017

Vol 40 No 2

The Mogollon Highlands plus 170 years of natural history in Cuenca Los Ojos, Sonora Mexico.

Summer 2017

Vol 40 No 1

The Flora of the Tortlita Mountains, plus Another Milestone for the Sky Islands.

Winter 2017

Vol 39 No 2

Orchids of Arizona and New Mexico.

Summer 2016

Vol 39 No 1

Flora and Ethnobotany of the Guaymas Region of Sonora, Mexico.
The Evolution of Desert Mistletoe Host Races. A Muddle of Mallows. The AZNPS-Led Waterman Restoration Project. Pima County’s Native Plant Nursery.

Winter 2016

Vol 38 No 2

Arizona Ethnobotany. Including discussions of why ancient crops matter, ethnobotanical teaching programs, ethnobotany in the Sky Islands, and the cultivation of Opuntias in Northern Arizona.

Summer 2015

Vol 38 No 1

The history of past military involvement in Western plant and animal exploration and summaries of the natural resources conservation and research programs currently in place on the seven major Arizona military installations.

Summer 2014

Vol 37 No 1

Herbaria of Arizona. It includes a review of a new smart phone app, 2800 Arizona Wildflowers.The Native Plant Spotlight this issue is the California Fan Palm(Washingtonia filifera).

Winter 2014

Vol 37 No 2

Feature article is: Arizona Native Food Plants for a Dry Future. It also features articles such as: Oaks, Cycads, Orchids, and Conservation in the Sierra Huérfana; Special Soils and their Role in Plant Evolution, Distribution, and Regional Diversity

Summer 2013

Vol 36 No 1

Focus on the Madrean Archipelago Conference held in 2012. It includes abstracts of botanical papers presented at the conference. The Native Plant Spotlight is the Paintbrush (Castilleja lanata).

Winter 2013

Vol 36 No 2

Highlighting Habitat and Rare Plant Conservation in southwestern North America. It includes an article about Graptopetalum (Crassulaceae) in AZ. The Native Plant Spotlight this issue is on Pringle’s Pleatleaf (Nemastylis tenuis var. pringlei).

September 2012

Vol 36 No 1

The Plant Atlas Project of Arizona. It includes articles about the flora of different regions of the state. The Native Plant Spotlight this issue is on the Lemon Lily.

September 2011

Vol 35 No 1

Highlights the plant and animal interactions with desert insects with desert plants. It includes articles about columnar cacti-bat connections as well as pollination studies on Sentry Milk-vetch.

February 2011

Vol 34 No 2

The riparian and wetland ecology found in Arizona. It includes articles about the many springs in Arizona and the Springs Stewards Program to assess the health of the springs in the Colorado Plateau.

May 2010

Vol 34 No 1

The Hidden Botanical Treasures of Arizona. It includes articles about Ruby near the southern border, Granite Mountain Wilderness out of Prescott and Hart Prairie Preserve north of Flagstaff.

November 2009

Vol 30 No 7

The Value and Future of Floristics. It includes articles on the flora of the Baboquivaris and Ironwood Forest National Monument, the Valley of Tehuacan, Mexico’s Cactus Heaven and Arizona’s Plants in California.

April 2009

Vol 30 No 6

Focus on Restoration of Arizona’s Wildlands, including articles about restoring riparian habitats in southern, western and northern Arizona and in ponderosa pine forests.

November 2008

Vol 30 No 5

This edition’s feature is: Biodiversity: Resiliency in Our Native Ecosystems. Also in this issue is Revisiting the Tumamoc Globeberry, and Sunset Crater Beardtongue

April 2008

Vol 30 No 5

A Sense of Place; A Native Plant Garden in a Neighborhood of Exotic Plants. Supporting articles in clude: Native Plants in Northern Arizona Neighborhoods, and Native Wildflowers are Weeds?

October 2007

Vol 30 No 4

This edition features: Ethnobotany and Inherited Landscapes-Tribute to Ferrell Secakuku. In addition: In the Eye of the Desert, Land Management Practices and Peniocereus striatus, Succulents and Bighorn of Isla Tiburon

Febuary 2007

Vol 30 No 3

The Pima Pineapple Cactus: A Unique Cactus Hiding in Plain Sight. Also in this issue: Plant and Pollinator Diversity in Northern Arizona, Pollinators and Plants in Peril: Can we prevent a pollinator crisis in North America?

November 2006

Vol 30 No 2

Rare Plants! Peirson’s Milkvetch: A species at the interface of biology, politics,and litigation. Plus: Verde Valley : A“hotspot”for rare pre-Columbian agave cultivars, and Triteliopsis palmeri: Blue Sand Lily, an Elusive Plant of the Sand Dunes.

Febuary 2006

Vol 3 No 1

Invasive Species! Bufflegrass, Sahara Mustard, Bull Thistle. Also: Long-term Vegetation Trends as Influenced by Climate & Management

Fall 2005

Vol 29 No 1

Plant Conservation- N. Morin; AZ Biodiversity Conservation Assessment – B. Nowicki; Climate Change and its Implications for Plants, Water and People – J. Herring; Desert Yards and Desert Insects – J. Alcock;

Spring 2004

Vol 28 No 1

Long-Term Drought & AZ Flora – N. Morin; “Son of CAP” Threatens Gila River – J. Fonseca; Mazatzal Wilderness – C. Trask; Crossosoma – T. Burgess; Fire in the Desert – J. Titus; Velvet Mesquite – M. Johnson; Washingtonia filfera Native Palms of AZ – R. Harris; Native Plant Laws – J. Titus and E. Stanford;

Autumn 2003

Vol 27 No 2

Fires in Arizona’s Grasslands – J. Titus; Two Rare Plants and the Warm Season Flora of a Unique Habitat in Pima County, Arizona – R.B.Duncan; The Tumamoc Globeberry – J. Fonseca; Late Spring Sightings – C. Trask;

Spring 2003

Vol 27 No 1

Nomenclature Changes-Orchidaceae of AZ/NM – R Coleman; E Mearns- B. Tellman; SC River Habitat Project-A. Philips;Drought Sightings – C. Trask; Conservation in the Grand Canyon Region – L. Stevens/B. Perla; Fire in Lower Elev. Woodlands- J. Titus;

Autumn 2002

Vol 26 No 3

ANPS at 25 -R. Gass; NAZ Pine Forest Restoration – J. Springer; UA Arboretum – P. Waterfall; Casner RNA Plant List – M.Licher; 2002 Supplement – Flora of Gran Desierto & Rio Colorado -R. S. Felger, Fires in AZ Forests – J. Titus; The ASU Herbarium – S. Doane; AZ Botanists: C Wright – B. Tellman

Summer 2002

Vol 26 No 2

The Wolfberry – G. Bachman; Sonoran Trees for Landscape Use – R.S.Felger, M.B. Johnson, M.F.Wilson; Ocotillo Fencing Part 1: – K.L. Enyedy;

Winter 2002

Vol 26 No 1

Wit of Carolus Linnaeus – D. Austin; Rosewoods in the Desert – M.F. Irish; The UA Herbarium – P. Jenkins; Plant List-Winter-Gila Bend – M Martin

Autumn 2001

Vol 25 No 3

Plants Lists:Tools for Restoration -B. Kendall; Botanist -Jack Kaiser; DBG Herbarium- W. Hodgson; Hydrilla Invasion – E. Northam; Native Plant Laws in AZ- B. Tellman; Two Native Justicias – M.F.Irish; Desert Hackberries – J. Kreamer;

Spring 2001

Vol 25 No 2

Ragged Top and Ironwood NM – J. Wiens; AZ Naturalists VII: H S Gentry;: ASDM Herbarium- J.F. Wiens; On the Trail of Palo Christi – G. Frerich; Vascular Plants of Ragged Top 1987-2000 – J.F. Wiens; Vines – M.Y. Irish

Winter 2001

Vol 25 No 1

SD Conservation Plan- B. Tellman; DeaverHerbarium – T. Ayers; Rare Plants- Huachuca Mts – M. Tandy; Native Plant Nursery – G. Bachman; Invasive

Species:-J. Kreamer; Plant Propagation Trials of the SW Plateau – S. Holiday; AZ Botanists: A. Gray – B.Tellman

Autumn 2000

Vol 24 No 3

Variability in an Area Flora -D. Bertelsen;AZ Botanists : C. C. Parry- B. Tellman; Floras of AZ NM . Pipe Springs NM-S.McLaughlin; Exotic Species, N AZ – R. Scott/ T.Ayers; Cyn Grape- Vitis arizonica- J. Kreamer; Barberries – M.F. Irish; Thoughts about Genotypes – H. Romppanen

Summer 2000

Vol 24 No 2

African sumac; Arizona Cliffrose – J. Machinski; AZ Botanists : H. L. Shantz – B. Tellman; Floras of AZ National Historic Sites: V. Hubbell Trading Post NHS – S. McLaughlin; Landscape Tips: Abutilon thurberi – M.F. Irish;

Winter 2000

Vol 24 No 1

Lady Bird Wildflower Center ; AZ Botanists : W.H. Emory – B. Tellman; Tips for AZ Trees – J. Kreamer; Floras of Arizona National Park. Petrified Forest NP – S. McLaughlin;

Autumn 99

Vol 23 No 3

Ironwood Alliance – J. Kreamer; Rare Plant: Adenophyllum wrightii – J. Shortman; AZ Botanists: C.G. Pringle; Exotic Species -Salvina molesta.B. Tellman; Marrubium vilgare at Fort Bowie NHS – B. Reese; Floras of AZ NHS-Casa Grande Ruins NM- S. McLaughlin; Ethnobotany :Arizona black walnut

Summer 99

Vol 23 No 2

Non-Timber Harvest of “Vara Blanca” in S Sonora, Mexico – C. Lyndquist; AZ Botanists: J.G. Lemmon & Wife – B. Tellman; Plant Rarity in AZ – J. Anderson; Unique Flora: Pedicactus sileri – S. Rutman; Mason Audubon Ctr Plants -J.K. Ethnobotany :Mullein – J. Kreamer;

Winter 99

Vol 23 No 1

The Mason Institute – J. Kreamer; Jatrophas – J. Shortman; AZ Botanists : Josiah Gregg – B. Tellman; Floras of AZ Historic Sites . Montezuma Castle NM (cont.) – S. McLaughlin; Patten Herbal Collection, Ethnobotany : Elderberry – J. Kreamer;

Autumn 98

Vol 22 No 3

Signal Pk Gardens – S. Weik; Member Survey – M. Tiede/ B. Skye; Unique Flora . Sapium biloculare; Plants of AZ Historic Sites . Montezuma Castle NM – S. McLaughlin; Exotic Weed Watch – J. Floyd,AZ Botanists. E. Palmer ;

Summer 98

Vol 22 No 2

Our Unique Flora: I. Canotia holacantha – S. Rutman; Plants of Arizona Historic Sites I. Wupatki NM- S. McLaughlin

Spring 98

Vol 22 No 1

The Role of Native Plants in Management of Highway Vegetation – C.R. Taylor;

Summer 97

Vol 21 No 2

Preserving Tradition (and Plants) in the Tohono O’odham Nation – J, Francisco; Gardening with Native Four O’Clocks-Mirablis spp. – B. Wilson

Winter 97

Vol 21 No 1

Red Rock State Park:Vascular Plant List – N.B. Herkenham ; Continental Ranch Revegation Project – J. Fonseca

Spring 96

Vol 20 No 3

Challenge of Bio-Pollution-R. Westbrooks and R Eplee; Gardening with Agaves-G. Starr; Pantano Jungle Revegetation-J Fonseca

Spring 96

Vol 20 No 2

Tonto Basin Agave: A living relic of pre-Columbian Cultures? – B. Backhaus; Penstemon’s Hummingbird’s Delight – G. Starr;

Winter 96

Vol 20 No 1

The Vegetation of the Pan Quemado, Plant List- J.F. Wiens;

Summer 95

Vol 19 No 2

Plants for the Shade; Plants of Hospital Flat, Treasure Park and Big Creek – Pinaleno Mtns – S. McLaughlin and N. Stallcup;

Winter 95

Vol 19 No 1

Mychorrhizal Assns in SW North American- J. Stutz; Is Mesquite Native to Southeast Arizona – J. Fonseca;

Fall 94

Vol 18 No 3

Exotic Plants – Environmental Weeds? – D. James; DELEP-Studying the World’s Legumes – M. Johnson; Plant Checklist Picketpost RNA, Superior AZ – D.L. Magney et. al;

Spring 94

Vol 18 No 2

Common Ferns of S. Arizona – J. Kaiser; Riparian Protection Meeting

Winter 94

Vol 18 No 1

McDowell Sonoran Land Trust-D.Brennan, Collecting Trip to NW Mexico – G. Starr, Impact of Forest Roads-J.Fonseca

Fall 93

Vol 17 No 4

Arizona Native Plant Law – W. McGinnis; Our Unique Flora:Verde Valley Limestone Plants – S. Rutman; Common Flora of Finger Rock Cyn/Mount Kimball – D Bertelsen

Summer 93

Vol 17 No 3

Scientific Achievements of the Desert Laboratory, Tumamoc Hill, Tucson Arizona: Part II – J. Bowers; Native Plants and Space – W. Sherbrooke

Spring 93

Vol 17 No 1/2

Achievements of the Desert Laboratory, Tucson Arizona: Part I – J. Bowers; Sand Dunes of the Sonoran Desert – S. McLaughlin and J. Bowers; The Champion Trees of Arizona – R. Zahner;

Fall 92

Vol 16 No 3

Arizona Honeysuckle – M. Johnson; What is a Native Plant – B. Tellman; Arizona Rare Plant Program – S. Rutman

Summer 92

Vol 16 No 2

The Ironwood Task Force – B. Backhaus; Desert Smoke Tree: M. Johnson; Carex specuicola – S. Rutman;

Spring 92

Vol 16 No 1

Jojoba: A Dry Farming Experience; The Native Landscaper:Alkali Pink – B. Wilson; In Memorium: Vernon Kleuver.

Fall 91

Vol 15 No 3/4

Blue Yucca – M. Johnson; Flora of Garden Canyon, Huachuca Mountains – N. Stallcup; Arizona Leather Flower – J. Machinsky;

Summer 91

Vol 15 No 2

Silverbell Mtn Flora – J. Wiens; The Lost Landscape – Sonoran Saltbush Desertscrub – L. Jackson; Sonoran Tree Catclaw – M. Johnson

Spring 91

Vol 15 No 1

AZ Natural Heritage Prog -L.Brewer; White-margin Beard tongue – C. Button; List-Tent Rocks- A. Green/ J. Searle; Chih. Whitethorn- M. Johnson

Summer 90

Vol 14 No 2

C. Hart Merriam: AZ Biologist – B. Phillips; The Sacred Apple – M. Plagens; AZ willow – S. Rutman; Gary Nabham Receive Two Prestigious Awards

Spring 90

Vol 14 No 1

Our Unique Arizona Flora: Acuna Cactus – S. Rutman; Provisional List for White Canyon, Pinal County

Fall 89

Vol 13 No 3

Succulent Hill, Baja California – G. Joseph; Field Notes on a Springtime Trip to the ASDM – P. Boles; Lemon Lily – S. Rutman;

Summer 89

Vol 13 No 2

Native Shrubby Comps – M. Johnson; Native Legumes for Landscape Use – M. Johnson; Plants for an Allergen Free Yard – K. Breunig

Spring 89

Vol 13 No 1

Use of Regional Native Flora for Desert Landscaping – K. Reichardt; Grasses in Santa Catalina State Park – H. Miller

Fall 88

Vol 12 No 3

Desert Legumes – H. Miller; Desert Seasons – T. Burgess; Palo Verde Removal – K. Dahl; Sentry Milk Vetch – S. Rutman

Summer 88

Vol 12 No 2

Botanical Illegal Aliens – H. Miller; Pilostyles, Strange Desert Parasite- R. Felger;

Spring 88

Vol 12 No 1

After K&P What? – H . Miller; Hopi Lima Beans – K. Dahl;Tamarisk Control – S. Johnson;

Fall 87

Vol 11 No 2

Transplanting Large Trees – M. Dimmitt; Agave Vilmoriniana – T. Clark;

Spring 87

Vol 11 No 1

Creating a Desert Corner – M.; Johnson; What is that Grass – H. Miller

Spring 86

Vol 10 No 1

Go Chihuahuan – K. Newland

Winter 85

Vol 9 No 4

Amaranth Family – The Book of Wildflowers; Forcing Saucers of Tiny Bulbs

Fall 85

Vol 9 No 3

AZ Native Plant Law May be Strengthened- M. Butterwick

Summer 85

Vol 9 No 2

Boyce Forman’s Annual Gardening Guide Part II

Spring 85

Vol 9 No 1

The Endangered Plant Program in Arizona – A Summary – M. Butterwick

Winter 84

Vol 8 No 4

Transition Zone Hort. Inst.- J. Milne, Research Increase on nitrogen fixation – M. Gallagher

Summer 84

Vol 8 No 3

20 Columnar Cacti for Landscape Use in Central and Southern Arizona – K. Newland

Spring 84

Vol 8 No 2

Rare Plant Update, Wilderness Bill Passed

Winter 84

Vol 8 No 1

DBG and AZ Botanical Garden Asso. – Their Commitment to Rare Endangered Plant Program – W. Hodgson

Fall 83

Vol 7 No 2

Fish and Wildlife Services to list three plants, AZ Wilderness Bill

Spring 83

Vol 7 No 1

Groundcovers for Desert Landscapes – G. Starr; Desert Plant Strategies – M. Kurzius

Summer 82

Vol 6 No 1/2

Desert Landscaping – G. Starr; Fern Talk – G. Yatskievych

Winter 81

Vol 5 No 3

Irrigating the Desert Landscape – G. Joseph; C. Hart Merriam Life Zone Concept – FW Reichenbacher, Jr.

Summer 81

Vol 5 No 2

AZ Endemic Plants- T. VanDevender; Native Plants- Birds-M. Pierce; Trees-Landscaping – G. Starr; Ferns- Yatskievych

Spring 81

Vol 5 No 1

Special Plants of AZ-T. VanDevender; Special Plant Communities of AZ – Arizona Dunescrub- FW Reichenbacher, Jr.

Winter 80/81

Vol 4 No 4

Special Plant Comm. in AZ-Granite Mts- FW Reichenbacher, Jr.; Special Plants of Arizona – Tom VanDevender

September 80

Vol 4 No 3

Chiricahua Workshop, Meeting Notes

June 80

Vol 4 No 2

Alpine tundra of AZ- FW Reichenbacher, Jr.; Special plants of AZ- Tom VanDevender

March 80

Vol 4 No 1

Relict plants of AZ – J. Bowers; Special plants of AZ-T. VanDevender; Plant Comm. of AZ-F.W. Reichenbacher, Jr.

Winter 79

Vol 3 No 3/4

Plants that Poison

Fall 79

Vol 3 No 2

Nature Loves Yellow, Ramsey Cyn-Lillium parryii

Spring 79

Vol 3 No 1

December 1980 Freeze effect

Summer 78

Vol 2 No 2

Leaf terminology used in plant identification