Approved Indigenous Plant List

Approved Plant List. The intent of the Design Review Guidelines is to maintain Desert Mountain in as natural state as possible which blends in with the surrounding desert thus a list of approved plants is attached for your reference. Read more...

References and Research

Several resources were used to develop plant descriptions that most closely represent the species that are native in the Desert Mountain area. Many plants have been re-classified since the Desert Mountain approved indigenous plant list was documented. The old and the new names for genus and species are captured, but in the case of family, only the new name is listed.

Sonoran desert plants have developed and adapted to survive extreme temperatures, low rainfall and high evaporation. Some advice for maintaining and sustaining native desert landscape:

The hardest part about desert gardening with natives is not to do anything.
Whatever you do, do it slowly and moderately. The plants will adapt.
If it looks dead, it probably isn’t. It is just waiting for sufficient moisture or temperature.

Wendy Whitman, Desert Mountain property owner and community volunteer, worked hard to capture the correct species in the photographs and descriptions in the approved indigenous plant section. Errors are possible, any corrections or suggestions can be emailed to the Community Office.

Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet)

Southwest Desert Flora

Arizona Flora, Kearney, Thomas H., Peebles, Robert H., 1979, University of California Press, Berkley, Los Angeles, London

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower center plant database

8.13 APPROVED PLANT LIST

The Committee has found the plants included in the following list to be inherently compatible with the natural desert existing at Desert Mountain and encourages their use. Any species not contained herein may not be planted or installed without written approval from the Committee. All species of cacti, trees or shrubs not listed below, which have been found to be indigenous to the Desert Mountain area, are acceptable, but their specific uses must be approved by the Committee.

8.13.1 APPROVED INDIGENOUS PLANTS

Only indigenous plants may be used in the Natural Areas and the Transitional Areas outside the site walls. The density and mix of any added indigenous plant material should approximate those found in the general area.

8.13.2 APPROVED NON-INDIGENOUS PLANTS

Non-indigenous plant materials that normally reach a mature height greater than 25 feet may not be used. For use in the PRIVATE AREA (inside site walls) only

PROHIBITED PLANT LIST

The following may not be planted or maintained anywhere:

Any species of tree or shrub whose mature height may reasonably be expected to exceed twenty-five feet (25'-0"}, with the exception of those species specifically listed as approved by the Committee.

All Palms (Palmae) whose mature height may reasonably be expected to exceed six feet (6'-0") will be prohibited for aesthetic reasons as well as their high maintenance requirements. Dwarf varieties whose mature height may reasonably be expected to be less than six feet (6'-0") will be allowed only in Private Areas within the confines of a private garden and behind site walls.

All Pines (Pinus), Cypress (Cupressus}, False Cypress (Chamaecyparis), Juniper or Cedar (Juniperus), except those species specifically approved, whose mature height may reasonably be expected to exceed six feet (6'- 0"), will be prohibited for aesthetic reasons. Dwarf varieties, and those whose mature height may reasonably be expected to be less than six feet (6'-0"), may be used immediately adjacent to the entry to a Residence, or in Private Areas within the confines of a private garden and behind site walls.

Olive trees (Olea europaea) will be prohibited for reasons of their profuse production of allergy-producing pollen, as well as for aesthetic reasons.

Oleanders (Nerium oleander) and Thevetia (Thevetia species) will be prohibited for aesthetic reasons as well as for their profuse production of allergy-producing pollen. These poisonous plants will also be prohibited for their high maintenance requirements and excessive height. Dwarf varieties may be allowed only in Private Areas within a private garden and behind site walls.

Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) will be prohibited as a defined weed with the potential to spread throughout the development, and also as a fire hazard.

All varieties of Citrus will be prohibited for aesthetic reasons. Dwarf varieties are permissible only in Private Areas within the confines of a private garden and behind site walls.

Common Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon) will be prohibited as a defined weed.

Mexican Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeatra) will be prohibited as a harborer of pests and because of its ability to spread throughout the development, thereby altering the present natural desert.

Desert Broom (Baccharis sarothroides) female plants are prohibited as a defined weed with potential to spread throughout the development. Male plants are acceptable provided they are marked (tagged) as such and purchased from a reputable nursery.