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| Conservation More Than A Buzzword | ||
The terms below are found in many areas of this website, however a majority of them pertain to the Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert Online area. Terms are listed alphabetically. allergenic - Some pollen-producing plants may cause allergy problems or may irritate the skin. Individual tolerances to allergens vary considerably, so use this listing only as a guide. Only plants known to be highly allergenic are noted in the charts, as determined by plant allergy specialist Chester Leathers, Ph.D. Aquifer - Aquifers are underground beds of saturated soil or rock that yield significant quantities of water. Common Name - A name that has no botanical standing. Common names are easier to spell and pronounce,, but many plants have more than one common name or share the same common name, which can cause confusion about a plant's identity. Cultivar - A plant that is cultivated, or developed and grown by nurseries (as opposed to occurring naturally in the wild) for its desirable characteristics. Cultivar is a combination of the words "cultivated variety." Cultivar names are enclosed by single quotes. Also see TRADEMARKED PLANTS. E/D - Refers to Evergreen or deciduous. Evergreen means that the plant is in leaf all year, although leaves will fall throughout the year. Deciduous means that all leaves drop during the dormant winter season. A number of plants are noted to be Semievergreen, meaning that some of their leaves drop for a short period with sufficient winter cold. form - Knowing a plant's form - upright, spreading, mounding, or vase-shaped - can help you select a plant to fit the space and design you have in mind. this is especially important with trees. full sun - Plants vary in how much sun or shade they need to grow. Full sun means that a plant can tolerate exposure to eight or more hours of sun each day. Note: If a plant will tolerate a range of exposures all exposures will be listed. full/reflected sun - Plants vary in how much sun or shade they need to grow. Full/reflected sun indicates the toughest plants that will tolerate extreme conditions. This occurs when the sun's heat and light are intensified, such as against a south or west wall. Note: If a plant will tolerate a range of exposures all exposures will be listed. Genus - One or more species of plants that share many characteristics. They usually have similar flowers and fruit. Genus is the first part of a plant's botanical name and is designated with an initial capital. growth rate - Many gardeners want to know how fast their plants will grow. A general guide of fast, moderate, or slow can help determine if a plant is right for a particular situation. hardiness - This number indicates the low temperature in degrees Fahrenheit that the plant is known to tolerate before suffering serious injury or death. It is sometimes referred to as the plant cold hardiness. Hardiness can vary with a plant age, health, location in the garden, and how long the temperature remains below freezing. litter - All living plants produce litter, but some create more than others. Sometimes litter is seasonal, with flower, seedpod, or leaf drop during certain months. Litter creates a natural mulch, which benefits your plants. However, consider placing high litter plants away from pools or patio surfaces. low desert - Sonaran Desert below an elevation of 2,000. partial sun - Plants vary in how much sun or shade they need to grow. Partial sun is for plants that do best with a moderate amount of sun. Locate them where they will be in shade in the afternoon, such as an eastern exposure, or in filtered sun, such as beneath the canopy of trees. Note: If a plant will tolerate a range of exposures all exposures will be listed. Potable - Potable water meets drinking water standards. Recharge - Recharge refers to water entering an underground aquifer through faults, fractures or direct absorption. Reclaimed Water - Reclaimed water is water that has received at least secondary treatment and basic disinfection and is reused after flowing out of a domestic wastewater treatment facility. Recovered water - Recovered water is water that is pumped out of shallow wells to recover reclaimed water that has been recharged. Reuse - Reuse means the deliberate application of reclaimed water for a beneficial purpose. search - In the box type a plant common name (Ironwood), botanical name (Olneya), color (red), bloom season (summer); then click Search for a \'Plant Search\' to begin. For more specific searches try the \'Advanced Search\'. season - Specifies the time fo year that the plant will bloom - winter, spring, summer, or fall. Use this information to help you design a landscape for seasonal or year-round color. shade - Plants vary in how much sun or shade they need to grow. Shade means that a plant does best with minimum exposure to the sun. Exposures that face north, deep shade beneath trees, or locations next to buildings are examples. Note: If a plant will tolerate a range of exposures all exposures will be listed. size - Unless noted, the two numbers specified represent feet and inches. These sizes indicate the plant's mature size under typical growing conditions. Plant size can be highly variable depending on where and how the plant is grown. Species - Plants that have different characteristics from other plants within the same genus. It is usually the second part of a plant's botanical name, and the first letter is in lower case. texture - Indicates the general appearance of leaves and flowers. Examples are small, fine-textured leaves or large, coarse leaves. Plants with different leaf colors and textures provide contrast and interest to the landscape. thorns - Many desert plants have thorns and may require thoughtful placement, especially if you have children. However, thorny plants offer some advantages in certain situations. Consider using them to enhance the security around your home. At the same time, many also help create wildlife habitats. Trademarked Plants(TM) - Plant selections developed by nurseries for certain desirable characteristics. On plant labels and in written materials, typically enclosed by single quotes and designated by TM next to the plant's name. Treated effluent - Treated effluent meets the same standards as reclaimed water. Variety - A variation of a plant species that occurs naturally in the wild. Designated with the abbreviation v. or var. preceding the name. Dodonaea viscosa v. pupurea is a naturally occurring variation of Dodonaea viscosa with purplish leaves. water - All plants included in this website are low-water-use plants, but some get by with less water than others. The water indicator included with each plant represents relative water use, rated as very low, low and moderate. For example, a palo verde tree requires less water than an evergreen elm tree. Keep in mind that even low-water-use plants will require regular irrigation after they are first planted. For more information on irrigation and water needs of plants, refer to the booklet Landscape Watering by the Numbers: A guide for the Arizona Desert available from your city water conservation office. Note: If a plant will accept a range of water use all requirements will be listed. wildlife - Plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting areas for wildlife are noted. Xeriscape - Xeriscape puts seven common-sense principles to work to help you create and maintain beautiful outdoor living spaces that use less water. The Seven Principles of Xeriscape: 1. Good landscape planning and design. 2. Low-water-use plants. 3. Appropriate turf (lawn) areas. 4. Efficient irrigation. 5. Soil improvements. 6. Use of mulches. 7. Appropriate maintenance. | ||
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WATER CONSERVATION | LIBRARY | PUBLIC MEETINGS | LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR THE ARIZONA DESERT ONLINE! HOME | CALENDAR OF EVENTS | CONTACT AMWUA | SUB-REGIONAL OPERATING GROUP | NEWS | SITEMAP ARIZONA MUNICIPAL WATER USERS ASSOCIATION 4041 N. CENTRAL AVE. SUITE 900, PHOENIX, AZ 85012 602-248-8482 • 602-248-8423 FAX webmaster@amwua.org The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) is a voluntary, non-profit corporation established by municipalities in Maricopa County for the development of urban water resources policy. |
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