Diario del proyecto Tribal Nations Botanical Research Collaborative

Arizona black walnut is found throughout the southwest in AZ, NM, UT, parts of OK and TX, and northwest Mexico. The Arizona walnut is common in riparian areas in these dry desert states. Their growth form is a small to medium tree and they can live for up to 400 years! This species is usually found along streams growing with other riparian species such as Fremont Cottonwood, Goodding's Willow, and Arizona Sycamore.

These trees are particularly famous for their walnuts which provide food sources of wildlife and humans and are used for paints, however their wood is also prized for making furniture and even their twigs and bark are used for dyes. Squirrels, birds, and deer all eat the walnuts which serve as a crucial source of protein and fat for wildlife in the fall. Keep your eye out this fall for Arizona walnuts! You’ll notice their distinct compound leaves, and all the walnuts falling to the ground as the autumn progresses. We’d love to get some more observations of this ecologically and tribally important species on our iNaturalist project!

Rocky mountain bee plant is a widespread beautiful flower that grows from British Columbia throughout the west and southwest United States. It’s bright pink ball-like flower clusters stand out on the landscape in mid-late summer. In strong monsoon years, it’s especially prevalent in Northern Arizona this time of year, but without the monsoons this year the flowering was earlier and less vibrant up on the Colorado Plateau. You still might see their wacky green bean shaped fruits if you look closely! As you might imagine from the name, pollinators love this plant, from bees, to butterflies, to hummingbirds! Birds also eat the seeds of the plant after ripening.

Be sure to take an iNaturalist observation if you see any late flowers or seed pods of this common western plant.