NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS
JULY 2015
BOYCE THOMPSON
ARBORETUM
Legumes Photo Contest Winners Tequila!
!
Making Carob Powder
“I, a universe of atoms, an atom in the Universe.� - Richard P. Feynman
The moon shines quietly over Magma Ridge.
Boyce Thompson
Arboretum
37615 E US Hwy 60 Superior, AZ 85173 520.689.2723 facebook.com/boycethompsonarboretum twitter.com/boycethompson instagram.com/boycethompsonarboretum boycethompsonarboretum.tumblr.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ian C. Thompson, Chairman Pamela Slate, Vice President David Salisbury, Vice President Rick Gibson, Secretary Kent Ennis, Treasurer LeRoy Brady, Director Dr. Shane Burgess, Director Rachelle Casillas, Director Dr. Paul Hohenlohe, Director Bobbie Miller, Director Jay Ream, Director Jim Reynolds, Director Dr. David Stern, Director Jim Sudal, Director
ARBORETUM MANAGEMENT Mark Siegwarth Executive Director Lorrie Polley Executive Assistant/ Membership Coordinator Patti Baynham Chief Financial Officer Cathy Babcock Director of Horticulture Lacey Pacheco Director of Education Chris Spencer Construction and Maintenance Manager Lynnea Spencer Retail Center Coordinator Kim Stone Director of External Communications Paul Wolterbeek Volunteer Program and Events Coordinator
Contents Letter From the Director by Mark Siegwarth ...................................4 50 Shades of Gray by Cathy Babcock...................................................6 Tequila and the Lessons of Margaritaville by Kim Stone.............8 Trees as Sculpture by T. Stone.............................................................10 Arizona Legumes by Matthew Johnson.............................................12 Arboretum Photography Contest by Lacey Pacheco....................17 In a Dry Country by T. Stone...............................................................22 Making Carob Powder.........................................................................24 Book Review, News, Upcoming Events, and More! Editor and Uncredited Photos: T. Stone
Cover photo of Boer-bean tree (Schotia brachypetala)
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR Mark Siegwarth, Executive Director
I hope you enjoy our July Newsletter for Members. In thinking about what to write, what really strikes me this month is the title “Newsletter for Members�. This has been the title for over seven years but it no longer seems appropriate for this publication. Yes, there is a calendar of events and recaps of what has happened over the last three months just like most newsletters you receive. But in looking at the articles, it seems our newsletter has evolved into something else over the last couple of years. I realize it is not quite a magazine or a journal but it does seem more like a publication that has as its main goal to educate people about the natural world. It is no secret that one of the main reasons the Ar4
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boretum is so special is because of its staff, volunteers, and members. In looking at the table of contents, our newsletter really contains quite a few articles of what our staff, volunteers or members feel is important to share with each other. Whether growing, appreciating, or using plants, understanding some historical or natural curiosity within the Arboretum, these articles all seem designed to increase your appreciation of the Arboretum and nature. I encourage you to read this issue from cover to cover as the authors have really put a lot of thought and effort into their articles. You might even want to look at some recent back issues if you have only been glancing at them. Thinking about what a great body of knowledge is
in every issue, it seems a shame it does not have a wider distribution. Even though we have over 4,500 members, it would be nice if that number was closer to 6,000. So, as a suggestion, if you do not keep our newsletters for posterity in your home, consider giving them to someone who might appreciate them. Minimally, this will increase the impact of our newsletter and might even increase our membership. You, our members, are the best judge of someone who might enjoy the Arboretum. So, I am counting on you in helping make this a great year for membership. With our increased staff and new parking lot, we are ready to welcome additional new members. If you do keep these newsletters for posterity, let us
know and we can mail another copy to a potential member. I do not want to keep you from the interesting articles, so have a great summer, thank you for your support and hope you are able to visit us often. Truly yours,
Mark PS Come out and see our new donated Boojum Tree. It really does transform the area in the Cactus Garden.
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HORTICULTURE
50 Shades of Gray by Cathy Babcock, Director of Horticulture
Salvia apiana
Plants with silver foliage have been extremely popular with gardeners since…well, since the beginning of the art of gardening. Those with gray, blue-gray, blue-green, graygreen, blue, and silver-white foliage are all generally considered to be in this category. What actually is the difference between silver and gray? I once called my sister’s car gray and she got upset because, she told me, “It’s silver!” The dictionary defines gray (or grey) as an intermediate between white and black, a neutral achromatic tone literally without color. Gray has a bit of a negative connotation as it can also indicate a bad mood, a gloomy day, or even old age. Silver, on the other hand, is defined as a metallic gray color tone representative of the color of polished silver. It tends to have a positive connotation and can denote shininess and richness. How can a plant be a metallic tone of any color? There are entire books written on the subject of silver plants but, really, aren’t they all just simply various shades of gray? And frankly, is a plant really gray or silver or just shades of green? Well, whatever color you decide to call it, there is a whole spectrum of tones we refer to as gray, silver, silver-white, blue-gray, and light blue. One could also include variegated varieties. Longwood Gardens has a special exhibit known 6
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Santolina sp.
Agave sp.
as the Silver Garden; I’m guessing there are many other botanical gardens and gardeners that might do the same thing. Silver-hued plants are very evocative: At night they reflect the moonlight (making them good selections for a moon garden or night garden), during the day in the full sun they shine in any garden. They add a special texture to the landscaping, softening the greens or bright colors of the surrounding area. Plants with silver foliage can help tone down bold textures and hot colors yet harmonize with paler colors of blue, pink, and lavender. Used in a shady area, they can help brighten a dim corner. Specimen or accent plants make a good focal point and add interesting contrast next to dark green or purple foliage of other plants. Many silver foliaged plants are also herbs adding another layer of subtlety with their fragrances. Basically, silver looks good with anything although a totally gray/silver garden might be a bit overwhelming. Silver plants are generally considered to be more arid adaptable, withstanding heat, wind, and drought. This is because the color of the leaves reflects sunlight rather than absorbing it, often aided by hairy leaves, a waxy covering or a glaucous powdery coating, all of which also inhibit loss of water. Some silver-foliaged plants to consider for an Arizona
HORTICULTURE
Leucophyllum sp.
Buddleja marrubiifolia
landscape: Buddleja marrubiifolia – Woolly Butterfly Bush: This shrub has soft, silvery foliage covered in fine wool. It is native to southwest Texas and northern Mexico and does very well in our hot landscapes. Flowers are small ball-shaped orange flower clusters that bloom spring and summer. Give it some room as it can eventually reach a height of 5 feet. Leucophyllum spp. – Texas Rangers: Many of the Texas Rangers have gray foliage, usually with purple flowers. The species candidum and particularly the cultivar ‘Silver Cloud’ has exceptionally white foliage with deep purple flowers. These are often referred to as barometer plants because of their penchant for blooming when air pressure changes. Plants are native to the Southwest and northern Mexico. Artemisia spp. – sometimes referred to as Wormwood or Sagebrush, depending on the species: Although not known for their flowers, many species do have silvery gray or white aromatic foliage. Artemisia “Powis Castle” is a silvery, lacy mound to 3 feet tall. This is a woody perennial that makes a good ground cover. Artemisia frigida has white leaves that are very finely cut. This grows to about 1½ feet tall and wide. Agave spp.: There are many species of Agave that have a beautiful blue-gray coloring to their leaves. Some examples
are the A. parryi series, A. attenuata (the blue Huntington clone), A. chrysantha and A. huachucensis. Many of these are solitary or put out very few offsets so one doesn’t have to contend with a huge unwieldy clump of plants several years down the road. Use agaves as accent plants or focal points. Their bold texture complements the finer foliage of many shrubs and perennials. Convolvulus cneorum – Bush Morning Glory: This is a mounding plant with silvery gray leaves 2 – 4 feet tall and as wide. Flowers are white with a yellow throat in late spring. Atriplex hymenolytra – Desert Holly: This beautiful compact shrub grows to a height of about 3 feet. Its foliage is silvery white and deeply toothed, hence its common name. This is a native throughout much of the Southwest. Flowers are inconspicuous. All plants mentioned above are evergreen (evergray?). Other silver-foliaged plants not described here include some of the Eucalyptus trees, brittlebush, Dudleya (if you’re brave), lavenders, Salvia apiana, santolina, and certain palms to name a few. Once you start looking in nurseries, in books or online, you’ll find a plethora of silver-foliaged plants that would be suitable for a southwest garden.
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Tequila and the Lessons of Margaritaville by Kim Stone
During my college drinking years in the mid-1970s,
Jimmy Buffet led me and many others down a dark path with grade-lowering favorites like “God’s Own Drunk” and the anthem, “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and…” By the time he released his smash hit song “Margaritaville” in 1977, I had dropped out of school and was living with my parents. I eventually graduated, and though my mom and dad still harbor some ill will towards Mr. Buffet, there is no question that he helped raise the margarita–and its main ingredient, tequila—to superstar status in the U.S. But where, exactly, does tequila come from? Without sugar cane, rum wouldn’t exist, and without potatoes, neither would vodka. For tequila and other types of mescals—as well as the fermented drink, pulque—a plant called the agave is the indispensable ingredient. There are nearly 160 different species of agaves shared between the United States and Mexico. On the U.S. side, they are commonly called century plants because they seem to take a human lifetime, or more, to finally flower. South of the border, the wait doesn’t seem quite as long, so they are simply called the maguey. What makes the agave particularly unique is that when it finally decides to flower—which is usually in 8 to 20
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years, rather than 100—it only flowers once, and then the plant dies. Because it has nothing to lose, the plant furiously drains the carbohydrates from its leaves and roots and concentrates them in the heart of the plant just before it flowers. This powerhouse of stored sugars will fuel the growth of an inflorescence (flowering stalk) that can reach thirty feet in height and six inches in diameter in a few of the largest Mexican species. Harnessing this fateful, botanical crescendo—nipping it in the bud, really—is what makes the production of tequila, as well as other lesser known products of the agave, possible. Ever since the Spanish brought distillation to the New World, the most important use of the agave has been in the production of the distilled alcoholic beverage mescal, known by different names when made from different species of agave in different parts of Mexico. In Sonora, it is called bacanora, and if it’s grown in Oaxaca, it is generally just called mescal. Within a legally defined area in the highlands of central Mexico, however, a very special kind of mescal—one made from just one species of agave that is different than all the rest—is a $750,000,000 a year industry. It’s called tequila.
photo: Malo Malverde, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
HORTICULTURE
HORTICULTURE ally when the plant is 8-12 years old. At just the right time, the bud of the flowering stalk (quiote) is removed, effectively castrating the plant. This diverts the carbohydrates that would have gone to the inflorescence, and concentrates them in the stem for several months until harvest. The harvest (jima) begins when the jimador chooses an individual agave of the proper maturity and begins to cut away the long spear-like leaves (pencas) using a coa, a long handled knife with a rounded, ultra-sharp cutting blade. He hammers a bar into the base to lever the plant out of the ground, then uses the coa to finish the job, cutting the remaining leaves clean and flush against the fat stem. What remains looks much like a 50 – 100 pound pineapple—the piña—which is then loaded onto a truck and delivered to the distillery. Once the piñas leave the fields, each distillery has its own methods of making its trademark brand of tequila. When the piñas reach the distillery floor, they are hacked into halves or quarters and either loaded into traditional ovens (hornos) to be steam baked for 48 hours, or pressure cooked in stainless steel autoclaves for 12- 18 hours. The cooking process converts the heavy starches within the piñas into fermentable sugars, and the color of the flesh changes from potato white to carmel brown. The next step is to shred the baked piñas to extract the sweet agave juice. Most modern day distilleries use steel knives and revolving drums to shred the baked piñas into their composite fibers, then use water to help dissolve the sugars and presses to extract the juice. But others, such as the Patrón distillery,
photo: Mickael Thomassin, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
The rules of the Appellation of Origin Tequila legally define the word tequila in a similar way as wines are regulated in France. Tequila must be produced from Agave tequilana F.A.C. Weber, aka blue agave or maguey azul (often jumbling the botanical name in legalese as tequilana Weber blue variety), and from plants grown only within the Mexican state of Jalisco or in certain municipalities of the nearby states of Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, and Michoacan. The most well-known distilleries are located in eastern Jalisco, and, not surprisingly, around the town of Tequila. By Mexican law (the Official Mexican Standard, NOM), non-100% (mixto) tequila can be fermented with as much as 49% sugars from sources other than the blue agave (such as cane sugar) but not from any other species of agave. It can also be bottled outside of the area in which the blue agave is grown. This would include such mass marketed brands as Jose Cuervo. The purest and most sought after tequila is made from 100% blue agave and each bottle must be labeled as such by law, including Hecho in Mexico. It must also be bottled at the distillery controlled by the company and must be fermented from sugars derived exclusively from the blue agave. Top shelf brands will always be labeled: “100% blue agave,” or “100% de agave.” If it doesn’t say 100% on the outside, it’s not 100% on the inside. The most important step in the making of tequila begins in the fields. Jimadores are highly skilled agave farmers who determine when subtle morphological changes signal that an individual blue agave plant is about to flower, usu-
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HORTICULTURE
Mayahuel - Aztec godess of agave.
have returned to the use of the tahona, a vertical stone wheel, often weighing several tons that travels around a center pivot inside a round stone pit, pulled by mules or horses (like a pony ride at the county fair), crushing the piñas inside as it moves. This was the standard method of crushing and extracting the juices of the piñas for several centuries, and it has made a comeback for producing special batches of tequilas by top shelf distillers. The extracted juice, now called the must (mosto), is fermented in large stainless steel or wooden vats to produce a liquid that is approximately 5% alcohol. Each distillery has its own formula for the strains of yeasts, additives, temperatures, and length of time for the fermentation process. For tequilas that are not destined to be made from 100% blue agave, this is the stage when other sugars are added to the fermentation vat. The must is fermented for three to ten days, and the resultant liquid is ready for distillation. Distillation is generally a two stage process, with two separate distillations inside large stainless steel vessels to produce the end product. The first distillation produces ordinario with a 25% alcohol content, and the second yields finished tequila at approximately 55% alcohol. Before bottling, it is diluted to a standard 40% (80 proof) alcoholic content. White/silver tequila (blanco or plata) is straight from the still and bottled immediately. Young/gold tequila (joven or oro) is made from a blend of silver and any of the aged tequilas. Aged (reposado) is aged in oak casks for a minimum of two months. Extra-aged (añejo) is aged in white oak casks for at least one year. Ulltra-aged (extra añejo) is aged at least three years in oak casks. Tequila mellowing or softening (the addition of caramel color, natural oak extract, glycerin, or sugar syrup) is permitted, though this is rarely done with high quality 100% agave tequilas. Despite this incredible journey of the agave from field to bottle, I’ve never developed a connoisseur’s taste for tequila. But I do enjoy an occasional glass of good wine, and when I do, I sometimes lean back in my chair, and wonder whatever happened to the Coral Reefer Band.
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SIDENOTE: By most accounts, the worm in mescal is actually one of two species of moth larvae (caterpillars) belonging to the Genus Hypopta, either the red worm (gusano de rojo, in Spanish) or the gold worm (gusano de oro), Other sources mention that worm can also be the larva of the agave snout weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus), a serious pest of cultivated agaves that can cause large scale death in both agricultural and horticultural crops. Moreover, the addition of the moth or weevil larvae to mescal was actually a marketing ploy that didn’t start until the 1940s, a gimmick that touted the bogus hallucinogenic and aphrodisiac properties of the worm. Most importantly, although tequila is a form of mescal, it never contains a worm or any other insect.
BOOK REVIEW
Field Guide to Cacti and Other Succulents of Arizona Peter Breslin, Rob Romero, Greg Starr, Vonn Watkins
“How are you at identifying cacti, particularly differ-
ent barrels and chollas?” a cohort at the Arboretum asked me recently. I was surprised by the question because he is a botanist by training and an Arizonan by birth, but he had just returned from living on the east coast, and so was a little rusty with our native cacti and their current taxonomy. Not being a cactus expert myself, my first thought was to consult Lyman Benson’s The Cacti of Arizona, but at nearly 50 years old, this venerable reference doesn’t reflect current taxonomy, though many cactus experts cite this classic as one of their early inspirations. Fast forward to 2004 and there is Matt Johnson’s excellent hip pocket field guide, Cacti, other Succulents, and Unusual Xerophytes of Southern Arizona. Then, there is Cactus of Arizona by Nora and Rick Bowers, an even more compact field guide that covers the entire state, published in 2008. We carry both in the Arboretum bookstore. In early 2015, a new book was published that includes some of the same contributors as the two aforementioned field guides, plus the cumulative firepower of the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society, a group that has been an advocate of cacti and other desert plants since 1960 when it was known as the “Tucson Cactus Club.” The book is called Field Guide to Cacti and Other Succulents of Arizona. Its 302 glossy pages cover 90 species of cacti plus 40 other succulent plants. All 130 species in the book were located, verified, recorded, and photographed over thousands of miles of travel throughout the state by the principal authors and photographers. After a 15-page overview of genera covered, the book launches into individual species with the kind of plant information one would expect to find in a field guide of this quality. Morphological information includes overall plant size, leaves, inflorescence, capsules, and seeds, plus distribution/habitat descriptions (including maps) and notes. Of particular interest is inclusion of the etymology for each botanical name, an often neglected— but always enlightening—complement that is missing in most field guides. Each species is represented by two to three excellent photographs, with one often dedicated to showing the plant in habitat. A contextual habitat shot is yet another well-considered feature of this book that drives home the fact that every plant—no matter how special—is part of a
larger community. To make a commitment to a particular taxonomy for a plant in a reference like this is always a sticky wicket and rarely makes everyone happy. But, as John Durham explains in the introduction, every effort was made by the authors to adhere to the most widely accepted and current taxonomy for each species, and each species entry was reviewed by botanical experts. Not all cactus and succulent fanciers are good pronouncers of the plants they love, so the authors opted to include the phonetic pronunciation for each of the 130 species included in this book. Latin is the lingua franca in the botany world, particularly with cacti that often have no widely accepted common name, so this addition should help readers pronounce scientific names that can often approach an intimidating 40 characters in length. As co-author David Yetman writes in the preface, the variety of cacti in Arizona is unmatched anywhere north of Mexico. This worthy addition to any cactophile’s personal library (or daypack) celebrates that fact with deft, authoritative descriptions and sharp photography that accurately captures the personality of each plant. It may become your go-to cactus and succulent reference for Arizona; I know it has become mine. This book is available for purchase in the Arboretum’s book store for $25.95. — Kim Stone
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THE ARTS
From Branches
Using Trees as Sculpture
by T. Stone
Recently on the BTA Facebook page, I posted a photo
of a dead tree beside Hwy 188 that was festooned with discarded shoes and pink flamingos. Little did I expect that it would cause a bit of a brouhaha. Or maybe it was merely a kerfuffle? Anyway, some people vigorously objected to this photo and suggested I was encouraging environmental desecration. I mean, how dare someone try to improve on Mother Nature’s perfect design? But were the shoes really an act of desecration? What exactly is desecration? Was Joyce Kilmer right when he wrote: “I think I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree.”? One can easily make the case that all life on Earth is equally relevant and “lovely” and doesn’t require any validation or acknowledgement from the human species to enrich it with special value. (I think I shall never see a poem lovely as a flea.) But that “special value,” aside from evolved functionality, is all in our heads—not that I have anything against using one’s head. After all, it’s human imagination that allows us to envision deeper layers of meaning and
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beauty in the natural world. Trees naturally suggest sculptures – especially deciduous trees which start the year in the nude, gradually dress in soft green and flowers for the spring, add the jewelry of fruit in summer, change their leafy habiliments to bright colors in the fall, and then disrobe in a dance with the winter’s wind. Nature also adds extraneous decoration to trees with ice and snow, moss and bird nests, and the prismatic gossamer of spiderlings. And trees seem to have the most perfect form on which to hang our human-imagined symbols and dreams. Some of the earliest stories involve trees such as the jewel trees in The Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in The Bible. Even in the ancient Greek story of Jason and his quest for the Golden Fleece, the Fleece was found hanging in the branches of an oak. Buddha supposedly found enlightenment beneath a fig tree. Early Pagans worshiped nature in general but trees in particular (dendrolatry); bringing trees or boughs into the home for decoration is a custom that long predates our use of the Christmas tree. In modern literature, trees have also played a significant role. The Hobbits of Middle-earth befriend the tree-like creatures called Ents. The Little Prince lives on a planet where the baobab trees grow so large that they endanger
THE ARTS the planet. Shel Silverstein’s The Learning Tree is about selfsacrifice and waste. Even Dr. Seuss had his Truffula trees in The Lorax. But now we come to the use of trees solely for decoration. I don’t have space to write about totem poles, or Sun Dance poles, or May poles. Nor will I belabor the topic of mask-carving and other wooden crafts that have been products of virtually all indigenous peoples. Let’s only consider using the complete tree as a framework for cultural expression. Trees have been decorated by humans all around the world. Some countries have Wish Trees in which offerings are tied to branches in hopes that prayers will be answered. Charles Darwin mentioned just such an example in The Voyage of the Beagle when he wrote (in 1832 while in Argentina): “Shortly after passing the first spring we came in sight of a famous tree, which the Indians reverence as the alter of Walleechu. Being winter the tree had no leaves, but in their place numberless threads, by which the various offerings, such as cigars, bread, meat, pieces of cloth, etc., had been suspended.” In Germany there are Easter Egg Trees (Ostereierbaum) where some people string up colored eggs. Covering the trunks of trees in colorful yarn (called “yarn bombing”) has become an artistic statement of sorts. California artist
Curtis Killorn has painted standing dead trees with bright colors. Haunting plastic dolls fill the trees at Mexico’s Island of Dolls, an art environment created by a hermit named Julian Santana. And Andy Goldsworthy has used trees to support some of his elegant temporary creations of balanced stones and stacked sticks. Considering that so much of our human infrastructure is constructed with wood products and that we fuel that infrastructure with coal—compressed remnants of forests long extinct—it is easy to see why we not only (unconsciously?) venerate the tree but also use it to artistically express ourselves. Are the expressions always meaningful and important? That’s not really a question that can be answered. Much of art is spontaneous and purposefully enigmatic as is much of our lives. We hang our detritus from a tree’s branches in a way to verify our existence and to add to the ramifying expansion of nature or, at least to pretend we have a voice in an ever-changing, impossibly expansive universe. Desecration is what we humans at large do to the environment, but hanging some shoes in a tree? I think nature can handle the creative impulse.
Photos from left: Shoe Tree in Nevada by F. A. Martin, Chinese Wish Tree by Paul Munhoven, German Easter Egg Tree by Andrew Poison, and Madrid Yarn Tree by Alvaro Leon. Images used from Wikimedia Commons.
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ARIZONA LEGUMES
Legumes in Arizona and the BTA Living Collections by Matthew B. Johnson
Program Manager and Curator, Desert Legume Program
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ARIZONA LEGUMES
The Legume (pea or bean) Family (Fabaceae or Legu-
minosae) is the third largest family of flowering plants in the world with over 19,000 species in at least 700 genera. In Arizona, it is also the third largest family of native plants with approximately 320 species in 65 genera. As a family, legumes vary from trees and shrubs to vines and herbaceous annuals and perennials. They are found worldwide, except for Antarctica, and occur in most habitats occupied by flowering plants. The family is well-represented in regions with warm dry climates, such as Arizona, where they can be conspicuous and often dominant components of the vegetation. Legumes are second only to the cereal grains in importance to humans. In addition to plants such as peas, beans, garbanzos, and lentils, edible legumes include jicama, alfalfa, and licorice. Others are major bee forage plants for honey production. In addition to food, legumes provide forage and fodder for livestock, cover crops, green manure, medicines, tannins, dyes, gums, fiber, timber, fuelwood, erosion control, and landscape and garden plants. Many legumes are able to convert atmospheric nitrogen to a plant-usable form through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria that are found in root nodules. The Taylor Family Desert Legume Garden at Boyce Thompson Arboretum features interpretive signage and plantings of many species of legumes that have human uses. BTA is located near the eastern margin of the Sonoran Desert. Legumes are important elements of the native vegetation here. The foothill palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) is perhaps the most conspicuous of these plants. Abundant on arid slopes, it is readily distinguished by its smooth, green bark and tiny leaves. “Palo verde” is Spanish for “green stick,” so the plants are well named. In April, these trees are covered with masses of pale yellow flowers. Also present is blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida), usually found along desert arroyos, which produce an intense yellow flower display in March and early April. Both of these palo verde species are considered to be the official state tree of Arizona. Also common at BTA is the velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina). Mesquite can form woodlands or bosques in suitable areas such as floodplains with deep soil, but are also found in upland habitats. Mesquite was a major food plant for Native Americans who gathered and ground the seed pods into flour. The pods are eaten by a variety of wildlife as well. Mesquite is also valued in honey production and for wood which is used for fuel and made into furniture. The genus Prosopis includes 45 species in both the New and Old Worlds, with greatest diversity in Argentina. Mesquite has generated interest for development as a food crop for
dry climates. Several additional species of mesquite are grown at BTA. These and palo verdes are among the most widely planted trees in low water-use landscapes in desert regions of the state. Just west of Gonzales Pass along U.S. Hwy 60, desert ironwood (Olneya tesota) becomes common. As the name suggests, ironwood has wood that is very hard and heavy. Desert ironwood wood will sink in water! These trees can live to ages of 600 years and are perhaps the longest-lived trees in the Sonoran Desert. Catclaw acacia (Senegalia greggii) is abundant around BTA but is not so conspicuous as other legumes. The common name is well-deserved, as most twigs are armed with small but sharp claw-shaped prickles that snag the clothing or skin of unwary passersby. Catclaw acacia is valued by beekeepers for producing high quality honey. Many other acacias are grown at BTA. Visitors to the Arboretum in late winter and spring may notice masses of pink feather duster flowers on the fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla). This low shrub is common on slopes throughout the area. A variety of native herbaceous legumes may be encountered including the showy lupines or bluebonnets (Lupinus spp.) and the milk vetches or locoweeds (Astragalus spp.). Astragalus is the largest genus of flowering plants in the world, with over 2,500 species including 88 species in Arizona. Several species of Senna (Senna spp.) from desert regions of Australia are grown at BTA. These are especially conspicuous in late winter and spring when they are covered with a profusion of bright yellow flowers. The large tipu trees (Tipuana tipu) growing at BTA were planted in the 1920s. Though these trees are native to moist, subtropical forests in northern Argentina and adjacent Bolivia, they thrive here on rainfall and the irrigation provided to adjacent plants. An unusual legume growing at BTA is the chañar or Chilean palo verde (Geoffroea decorticans). Resembling our native palo verdes, but not closely related, this legume is unusual in having a hard seed pit surrounded by a fleshy rind that tastes like gingerbread when ripe. The fruits of this tree are highly valued in its native South America, and are used for a variety of purposes. On your next visit to BTA, be sure to check out the Taylor Family Desert Legume Garden to learn more about this fascinating group of plants and see how many different legumes you can see as you walk the Arboretum’s exhibits and trails.
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GUEST FEATURE
Boyce-tog-ra-phy photos and text by John K. Mitchell
Words. According to the internet, there are anywhere from 250,000 to 1.2 million words in the English language! It would seem, therefore, that there should be an English word for every conceivable thing, but I know of none to convey the joy of practicing photography at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. So, here’s what I came up with: Boycetography/boyce-TOG-rah-fee/noun : the art and process of capturing images on a light sensitive medium or digital memory chip while visiting Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
There are people—none whom are reading this, of course—who do not appreciate the Arboretum’s extravagant beauty. However, there is never too much Boyce Thompson for me. Like a dish of vanilla ice cream with real raspberries, is there really such a thing as too much? At the BTA, you’ll always find a brilliant display of Nature’s beauty and Creation’s wonders. And it is never exactly the same from visit to visit. Everyone is familiar with seasons of the year, but at the Arboretum there are even changing “seasons” within the same day: early morning, midday, and
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afternoon. Shadows and light intensity determined by the sun’s journey across the sky enhance changing weather patterns, from sunny to cloudy, windy to calm. Occasionally it even rains during my visit, or I see evidence of rain, in either Queen Creek or the temporary pool known as Lake Magma. Just enjoying a visit to the Arboretum is enough, but when combined with photography the experience is richer. To me, photography is like fine wine, in that it need not be expensive to “taste” good. Likewise, I consider photography “good” when I enjoy the fruit of my efforts and am further rewarded when others enjoy the pictures too. My first passion at Boyce Thompson is bird photography (“bird-ography?), which usually determines my path around the Arboretum. Having said that, there are many other opportunities and it would be foolish not to partake of them as well. Who does not appreciate the delicate beauty of a butterfly engrossed in a flower? Or the details of the flower itself ? Or the intricacies of a dragonfly’s wings? Cactus blooms? Beautiful! I especially enjoy these in macro, for the sharpness and detail reveal more than just beauty, they reveal the marvel of Creation. And I certainly never ignore Boyce Thompson’s panoramic vistas or autumn colors. I think you get the picture. Maybe I’ll see you at the Arboretum? Happy “Boycetographing”!
PHOTO CONTEST
Winners of the Arboretum Photography Contest Introduced by Lacey Pacheco, Director of Education
Grand Contest Winner - Tranquility by Elizabeth Wowryk
Year after year my extended family on my mother’s side plans a special day to visit the Arizona State Fair. Rain or shine it is always a great time and with so many cousins in tow, one cannot go far before we run into one another. Last fall we ended our day as we traditionally do, in the art competition gallery. I was pleasantly surprised to see that so many of the entries in photography—winning entries mind you—were taken at the Arboretum. The photographs were found in every category from architecture to macro and in every age group as well. Many were taken by children who came to visit the Arboretum with their school’s photo club. I left the gallery inspired and planned to have a photography contest the following spring called, “The Arboretum Through Your Eyes.” The Arboretum Through Your Eyes Photo Contest received hundreds of entries from thirty-nine photographers whose skill ranged from amateur to professional. The judging panel consisted of a professional photographer, a naturalist, and a mixed media artist who, for propriety’s sake, were unaware of the photographs’ authors at the time of judging. There were four submission
categories including landscape, animals, plants, and people. Within each of these categories a first, second, and third place winner was chosen. A grand prize winner was also chosen as was one honorable mention per category. The final seventeen photographs were placed on display in the Arboretum’s gallery in April. The top thirteen photos are featured here in the Newsletter for your viewing pleasure. I am not going to lie, it was an emotional experience viewing all of the entries submitted. Each photograph was like a window into the soul of the photographer. They are smart, savvy, and very sincere. Many photographs were very difficult to achieve and required a great deal of time and patience to capture. Animals, among other subjects, are not so aware of our desire to catch them at their best. Some photographers captured the most beautiful creatures in their habitat. It is difficult to further my thoughts on this matter as I feel I cannot give it justice, but I do know this… thank you, photographers. Thank you for your passion, your vulnerability, and your pride. Thanks for sharing the Arboretum through your eyes. (The contest winners are displayed over the next four pages.)
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PHOTO CONTEST
Category: Plants
First Place - The Boojum Tree by Sue Cullumber
Second Place - Cactus Flowers by Eddie Simmons
Third Place - Opuntia Pad by David Oberpriller
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PHOTO CONTEST
Category: Animals
First Place - Phainopepla by Jim Griffith
Second Place - Coatimundi by Elizabeth Wowryk
Third Place - Thirsty Wasp by Roger Degler
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PHOTO CONTEST
Category: People
First Place - Memory Walk by Ardys Lurtsema
Third Place - My Son While Bird-Watching by Tamsen Warren Second Place - A Butterfly Admires My Daughter by Tamsen Warren
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PHOTO CONTEST
Category: Landscape
First Place - The Ethereal Dance by Jerry Jones
Third Place - Incredible Light by Sue Cullumber
Second Place - Sunrise Glory by Jabon Eagar
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NATURE
IN A DRY COUNTRY Notes on Nature by T. Stone The Last Cool Day “Color is not an inert pigment. It is the culmination of a series of events.” — This Green World by Rutherford Platt
By the time this article is published, daytime temperatures around Boyce Thompson Arboretum will steadily be in the triple digits. Consequently, I wanted to take a moment to remember the last cool day of this year, which wasn’t that long ago–Saturday, May the 16th to be exact. On that day the sky was covered in clouds, the air was thick with humidity, and the morning temperature was in the low 50s. “Simply amazing,” were my exact words that morning. “Let’s go for a walk!” Lori and I decided to drive 5 miles east from Superior and go walking on an old mining road in Devil’s Canyon. We parked the van and started hiking up the wet dirt road, ascending toward some greater misty realm. We were actually wearing long-sleeved shirts and knit caps. In May. It was almost too wonderful to believe. You didn’t need to be a climatologist or an expert in statistics to know that this was the last cool day; you could feel it in your bones. “Look, it’s mud!” I said incredulously, splashing through a puddle. Lori kept an eye out for interesting rocks, which she brings home to deposit on shelves and window sills, making the house, I suspect, heavier than it looks. As always, a few shotgun shells littered the ground. There were also crushed Bud Light cans. And there was a broken part of a reflector from a vehicle. In Arizona, these infrequently-used roads become the province of four-wheelers and gun-owners. It was too wet and breezy on this day to drink cheap beer comfortably, so we would be alone. Hoodoos stood like sentinels on surrounding ridges. Many of the smaller boulders in that area were likewise precariously balanced, lending the land a tenuous quality. Even in mid-May, Spring seemed to have barely visited those verdant hills. We were at an elevation around 4000’. The rocky terrain was covered in pinyon pine, oak, manzanita, yucca, and prickly pear. The prickly pear were just sending up their flower buds. Tiny apples of the manzanita were still green and too bland to eat. We noticed a creamcolored honeysuckle with perfoliate leaves. There were asters as well as thistles in bloom. 22
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When I say I go for a hike or walk in nature, it is more accurate to say that I meander. It can take a couple of hours for me to walk just a mile because I’m so busy looking at details and wondering about the myriad things I don’t understand. I always have more questions than answers. On that day, I was wondering why manzanita limbs are often a mixture of burnished copper-colored and rough dead-looking wood. Does the new wood grow partially over the old, never fully covering it? What purpose does that serve? I was also interested in the insects that were temporarily dormant from the cold. Native bees, sand wasps, and beetles rested peacefully among the purple tendrils of thistle heads. None of them were well-hidden, so I wondered what advantage there could be in such conspicuous torpidity. Were there not birds who would find these insects easy pickings? Even without having answers to my sophomoric questions, I still felt they afforded me a pleasant way to engage my surroundings. After a couple of miles, Lori and I reached a wide shallow cattle pond, such an unexpected thing to see up there. No cows were around, nor were there any birds taking ad-
NATURE
Sandwasp
Sitting by the pond.
vantage of the water supply. All was quiet with only an occasional raven or vulture gliding by. Drizzle fell and an opaque sky enveloped the earth, occasionally tearing open to reveal a patch of vivid blue. The hills, too, were dappled with cloud shadow. It was easy to feel that we were adrift on the sea, in a reality made up of ever-shifting light. On our way back to the van, we saw Indian paintbrush flowers (Castilleja sp.), which emit a red so rich and dimensional that it’s hard to look directly at them. I humor myself by thinking that this hue seems to bend toward the infrared side of the spectrum, almost impossible to see. I also remind myself that the color we see is the color that has been rejected from whatever object we are looking at. If we see a red flower, what we actually see is a flower that has absorbed much of the sun’s light spectrum, but reflects back what it cannot absorb…in this case, red. Driving home, I appreciated the overcast sky. There won’t be another day so cool until October. I’ll probably endure until it arrives.
Manzanita bark
Indian paintbrush
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FROM THE SOUTHWEST KITCHEN
Making Carob Powder A Step-by-Step Guide
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If you live in southern Arizona, you may have carob trees growing nearby. Carobs (Ceratonia siliqua) are dioecious, meaning that there are male and female trees. If a female tree has been pollinated by a male, then—voila!— seed pods are produced. The pods (not the seeds) are used to make carob powder, a substitute for cocoa that can be added to recipes of your choice. (Carob is in the legume family, and—like mesquite and tamarind—the pods are somewhat sweet. Also, carob is considered a healthier alternative to chocolate.) What you will need: Access to a female carob tree. Sharp sturdy scissors, a sharp paring knife, food processor or coffee grinder, food dehydrator. 20-25 carob bean pods.
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1) Collect the ripe brown seed pods from the tree if you
can. It’s probably fine to pick them up off the ground, but there is also a chance that they might be spoiled by fungus or bacteria. If the pod is on the tree (and completely brown, not green), then you will know it’s fairly fresh and untainted by unrelenting microorganisms. 2) Wash the pods off, removing any dust, dirt, etc. Then soak them in a bowl of water for 4-6 hours (or overnight). This soaking is to soften the pods for processing. 3) Using sharp sturdy scissors, remove the thicker margin of the pod. Keep the piece you remove since it’s as usable as any other part of the pod. 4) With the point of a sharp paring knife, pry out each seed from the exposed holes along the freshly-cut margin. This is the most tedious part of the job. With twenty pods, I spent about 30-40 minutes removing seeds. You can discard the seeds or try growing more carob trees.
FROM THE SOUTHWEST KITCHEN
4
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7 5) Break the pods into smaller pieces and then load them
into the food dehydrator. It will probably take at least 8 hours to thoroughly dry them. You want the pieces to be “crispy” dry. If they are still pliable, keep drying. 6) When all pod pieces are completely dry, you are ready to make powder. If you have a fancy food processor, then get it out. I, however, use a coffee grinder (purchased at a thrift store for $3!). 7) Put crispy dry pieces in the processor and hit the button for ten or fifteen seconds. This should turn the pods into a very fine powder. In fact, there will be some dust during this part of the operation, so you might consider a dust mask. 8) Twenty to twenty-five seed pods will make about three full cups of carob powder. Because it’s raw, refrigerate or freeze in plastic containers.
So, what can you do with carob powder, pray tell? You can find dozens of recipes online, of course, especially on “raw food” sites. But here is a quick recipe for raw carob/ coconut/almond balls: 1/4 cup
1/2
1/4
chopped almonds cup raisins 1/4 cup dates 1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/4
cup almond butter cup raw carob powder 1 tsp. agave nectar 1 Tbl. tahini 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Soak the first four ingredients (left column) for a couple of hours then drain. Put in blender, adding all other ingredients (right column), and hit the button. Hand-form into balls. Refrigerate until firm. — T. S.
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Hello, Goodbye An Elegy of Sorts It’s not difficult to get attached to your agaves; you’ve watched them grow for several years, from small “pups” to large rosettes of needle-pointed leaves. Agaves sometimes become the dominant plant and focus of your desert garden. It’s easy to wish that they really were “century” plants. Alas, they’re not. The sudden appearance of a flower stalk (inflorescence) from one of your favorite specimens heralds its final summer. The clustered waxy flowers soon arrive and are a joy to behold but come with the realization that the agave is starting to bloom itself to death. Admittedly, not many organisms get a chance to go out with such a bright celebratory display. For a month or two the flowers attract a halo of bees and other pollinators. Sometimes a Gila Woodpecker perches nervously along a stem. The flower stalk is usually so high— sometimes over 20’—that wings are required to taste the sweet nectar. But while the flowers bloom and call for attention, the base of the plant starts to shrivel and turn yellow. Here at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, we lose a few agaves every year, some of them quite large (e.g. Agave salmiana and Agave americana). And although they will temporarily leave empty spots around the gardens, they will also leave cloned “hijos” or “children,” to serve as replacements. Then we get to watch the whole process start again. “Circle of life!” we say ruefully. How can we not respect a plant that sings its final song with such careless abandon? — TS
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NoteWorthy Arizona State Parks Volunteer of the Year
photo: Jack Haskell
Cass Blodgett
Cass Blodgett more than exceeded criteria for the prestigious yearly state parks volunteer award by selflessly sharing his time and energy at multiple state parks, including around 130 hours each year at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Cass enlisted here a decade ago as a guide for spring wildflower walks. Arboretum staff then asked Cass to train other tour guides in basic botany and wildflower ID so the popular seasonal walks could be expanded. He also assisted Arboretum staff with salvaging an extremely rare variety of native hedgehog cactus from the path of highway expansion and bulldozers in 2009. Then he joined University of Arizona staff on a legume collecting trip in 2012. He’s worked alongside garden staff with weeding and basic maintenance, even sowing native wildflowers along parts of the main trial with seeds harvested from his own garden at home. What’s more, as an employee (and now, as a youthful retiree) from Intel Corp, every volunteer hour Cass reports earns the Arboretum a $10 donation from Intel’s community foundation. That’s substantial—$1,300 a year—and has earned the Arboretum and Intel Foundation some welcome publicity for this program.
Ask PISTACHIO the Plant Nut
My question is a bit more subjective due to your vast knowledge and global experience concerning botanicals and botanical gardens/arboreta, in general. When I walk the trails here at the Arboretum I am overwhelmed by the beauty and unique qualities of this special place. Sometimes my mind wanders and I wonder what it was like in the past. Can you shed some light? L.C., Tucson Dear L.C., First of all, I’m sorry to hear that you’ve reached the stage where your mind is beginning to wander. It’s inevitable, I’m afraid, and will eventually happen to all of us, but at least you’re still walking and wondering. If you could go back 65 years in the Arboretum’s history, former curator Bill Benson would still be contemplating where he wanted to plant the Chinese pistachio, gimlet, cypress, and red bottle brush trees near the Smith Building and around the staff parking lot where employees now compete for summer shade each morning. Continue another thirty years in the past to the mid1920s, and not a single eucalyptus, beefwood, tipu, palm, olive, or salt cedar tree would be tall enough anywhere on the grounds to block your view of Magma Ridge, Picketpost Mountain, Apache Leap, or the Superstitions. But what would the Arboretum be without trees? Catapult yourself back 17 million years to the last volcanic period, and you’d be running for your life. So, you see, the past is not quite what it’s cracked up to be. My advice would be to mindfully follow each of your footsteps as you walk, soaking up the omnipresent as you go. If you must, sneak an occasional peek over your shoulder to see where you’ve been, but only for old time’s sake. We’re all sentimentalists at heart. And lastly, L.C., please remember the words of J.R.R. Tolkien, who wrote, “All who wander are not lost.” But just in case, carry your cell phone with you. Our staff will be waiting for your call. To submit your question or request for advice, send an e-mail to pistachio@humanoid.net. Pistachio reserves the right to edit your question to better suit his answer. Regretfully, due to the overwhelming volume of requests for Pistachio’s sage council and wisdom, answers will only appear in this column.
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MEMBERSHIP
From the Desk of Lorrie Polley
Gratitude (grat-i-tood) noun The quality or feeling of being thankful: THANKFULNESS Origin 1400-50; late Middle English (fr. L gratus grateful).
Hello everyone! It’s summer, and if you live nearby you know it’s hot and humid. The clouds are beautiful in the afternoon sky, threatening deliverance of that liquid gold, but alas never really delivering. Still it’s green here and the garden does have an unusually full and lush look to it this year. We honor the people who dare to venture out into the heat to visit, especially if they bring their faithful dogs with them. You are the daredevils of the Arboretum! I missed our last newsletter so a little catch up. Lori Coletta, as you may know, is our new Membership Services Assistant. She has taken to her new position like a Boojum tree moved from Phoenix to the Arboretum. She loves it here and we love her! She is processing membership quickly, sending tax letters every month, “Thank You” cards for donations, mailing membership donations and numerous other membership pleasantries. She jumped into the middle of things in April and helped with our Board Dinner, meeting many of our members, and she has been on the phone answering questions you may 28
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have. And if you have yet to meet her, Lori will be helping with our Margarita night August 1st. And yes we know it may be a bit confusing if you should ask for Lorrie Polley or Lori Coletta, but either way we’ll be here for you! If you have any questions, please feel free to email Lori at: loricoletta@email.arizona.edu. Thank you all for the donations you have made over the last few months. Your donations are very important to us and no letter or thank you card could ever express how thankful we are for your support. Every donation is a gesture of generosity and your dedication to the Arboretum and we are grateful for you. Thank you! Life is good here at the Arboretum! Every day I thank the universe for allowing me to experience such a lovely place and to feel that what we do here makes a difference in the lives of so many people. Enjoy your summer! Stay cool if you can and see you in the heat of the day or in the coolness of the fall.
MEMBERS OF THE ARBORETUM $10,000 Corporate Membership Resolution Copper Company
$5,000 Corporate Membership Casa Unlimited, Enterprises Inc. Empire Machinery Logan Simpson Designs
$2,500 Corporate Membership Imerys Perlite Superior AZ Omya Arizona, Inc.
$1,500 Corporate Membership
Northern Trust NA (Attention: Matt Bradford)
Boyce Thompson Society Karen Applewhite Walter Brown Mary Faul Dr. William R. Feldman Chris and Nora Hohenlohe Bernard and Faye Pipkin Dick and Nancy Smith Dr. and Mrs. Phil Upchurch Lucy Wing Roy A. Young Dick and Betty Youse
Director’s Circle
Carolyn Baecker Covert and Lea Bailey Constance and Arlyn Clark Bruce and Jane Cole Martha and Steve Goode Joseph and Joyce Hartung Imre and Lorna Kertesz John R. and Deborah McEvoy David and Diana Oberpriller Jay and DeLana Ream Charles and Eileen Redman Jim and Kally Reynolds David and Roxanne Salisbury Mark and Jane Siegwarth Janet Spadora David and Karen Stern Jim Sudal Keith and Brenda Taylor Louis and Judy Young
Picketpost Society
Janet and James Badden Rachelle Casillas William and Cynthia Collings Charles and Jane Eatherly Ervin Graber Pat Hanns Jeffrey and Linda Heimer Claudia and Art Helfgott Anne Herman Jensen Paul and Jennifer Hohenlohe Max and Marguerite Horn Mary and Gary Irish Robert Kleinsasser Chuck Lee and Patricia Hance Barbara Miller and Steven Trimble James Nafziger
Pearl Nancarrow Rich and Penny Post Rachel Trinder Melvin and Silvia Werre
Boojum Club
William and Susan Ahearn Craig and Clare Angell Harrison and Laura Bachrach Craig and Barbara Barrett Bill Benson Rosemary and Susan Berg Sarah and Kenneth Bernstein George and Millie Bilotta Matt and Ingrid Bradford Mark Broadus and Nancy Dye Charles and Jeanne Ann Brush Skip and Peggy Carney Mike and Darlene Churchman Rick and Suzy Clarke Jane Conrow David and Alice Cook David A. Coup and David C. Smith Linda and Jeremy Cowing David and Elizabeth Cronk John and Diana Crummey Patti Dennis and Peggy Peterburs Alexander Dioyenis and Mary K France Ken and Rose Elkins Leroy and Kate Ellison Elizabeth and Robert Erickson P.D. Folk and C.L. Lasko Jim and Elizabeth Fordemwalt Warren Goff Josephine Griswold William and Jill Held William and Diana Herron Ronald and Catherine Hill Philip Huddleston Marianne Jensen Michael and Linda Jett Colin and Ruth Kaltenbach Donald and Lynn Keith Gregory Knowlton and Wlatka Peric- Knowlton Jeffrey and JoAnn Kovan Georganna Lagen Orme Lewis Jr Wayne and Bonnie Lichtenberger Dorothea Ludeman Barbara S. Macnider and Michael A. Sullivan Trevor Martin James Matthews John and Catherine Matthews Brian and Nicole May Patricia Mayes David and Sandra McEldowney John and Jodi Morgan Wayne and Pat Needham Kate O’Hara and Sharon Bushart John and Iris Owens Trevor and Carol Parrott Glenda and Michael Ross Gregory and Lorraine Scaven James Schenck and Michaele Cozzi Amy Schlossberg
Marc and Rikki Schmidt Paul and Eleanor Schoenberger Donald and Ingeborg Senuta Richard and Karyn Shaffstall Paul and Victoria Shimp Don and Ginny Smith Roger and Chris Stage Brian Studer and Therese Messerschmitt Bob and May Swanson John Thompson and Linda Thompson Kathryn W. Torgeson Don and Gloria Traicoff James and Carolyn Tripp Karen Wargo and Deb Place Kay Wiesner and Guest Leo Zureick Andris and Sue Zvirgzdins
Contributor Membership
John and Pam Abbott Joe Accardo and Maureen McCarthy Lou Accola Roger and Carolyn Ahl Peter and Judy Allard Peter Alt and Cynthia Lindle Alt Lori A Anderson Morris and Deb Anderson Susan Andrews and Linda Cambell Chuck and Julie Antonio Sally Appel Herman and Kim Aranda Bruce and Margaret Asleson Linda Baldwin-Hull and Bill Hull Raymond and Barbara Ball Gordon and Sally Barnes Ron and Janet Barstad Daniel Bass and Patricia Jay Constance and Bill Benedict Mary Bennett and Mike Josephson Sarah and Geoffrey Berthiaume James Bezdek Mark Bierner Melissa Bills Gerald and Sharon Bisgard Andrew and Susan Black Terry and Beatrice Bokmann Arlin and Joanne Bollig Michelle and Joseph Bonito Kathryn Bottjen Melissa Bourgogne and Aaron Jacobson Bill and Connie Bowser Box 8 Ranch, Susan and Chris Ketron Maxine Boyce John and Georgiana Boyer George and Paula Bradbury Mary Ann Bradbury Leroy Brady and Joseph Salazar Lisa Brazil and Eileen Townsend Heidi Brubaker Steven, Alisa and Adria Bruzonsky Donald and Isabelle Bullington Linda and Jerry Bullis Jeff and Katie Burban Christine Burch and Keary Watson Paul Burghard and Sally Hatfield Eric and Michelle Butler Frank and Laurel Byrne Patti Capps and Phyllis Ruoho
Lew and Elizabeth Carleton Danny Carlisle and Judie Carlisle Larry Casillas and Jayne Mercer Ralph and Roberta Castaseda Ellen Catena F. James and Ramona Celis Fausto Channave Doris Cheyne Fonda and Scott Christopher Ray and Del Cinco Kayla Clark Mary and Scott Clarkson Fred and Debbie Clayton Terry, Rebecca and Nathaniel Clegg Tom Cluley and Susan Morrison-Cluley Joel and Rebecca Coats J’Trena Cooper and Gilbert Troutt Dennis and Laura Coppage Sue and Rich Cottine Willam A. Covington and Connie J. Struve Jamie Curierre Jeannine and Steve Daniel Elizabeth and Joseph Davidson Sue and Reid Davison Susan Dean Robert and Vanessa Dearing Gary and Lucinda Deatsman Dennis and Faye DeBough Gina and Rick DeGraw Franc and Barbara Del Fosse Ronald Demakovsky and Teri Gallenstein Leonard and Cheryl Destremps Larry and Pat Dewhirst Jean Dili and Jerry Dili, Jr Janet and Dennis Doherty Kathy and Jerry Dority Alan and Danae Dover Dr. Teresa Lanier and Catherine Drezak John and Connie Drilling Lee Ann Dye and Norma Brinkmeyer Paul Dygert and Rochelle Malinoff Charles and Judith Echols Hermann and Jo Eckert John and Kim Eisenhower, Integrity Tree Service Rhonda Evans Joseph and Rebecca Ewan Thomas and Sandra Ewing Paul and Linda Fagerman Sally Flanders and Alice Harris Mark Foster Reavis and Sharon Franklin Linda Garrett Victor and Edna Gastell Joe and Elaine Gavelek Larry and Rosa Geske Rick and Lexia Gibson Brian and Leslie Gilchrist Jack and Cindy Gilmore David and Judy Glaeseman Terry and Sally Glynn Rebecca Goff Bud Goodrich and Carolyn Wozniak Sue Goodwin Joe and Katherine Gosiger Frank and Helen Grannis
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MEMBERS OF THE ARBORETUM Susan Gray and John Gilkeson Alasdair and Emerald Greig Brandon and Lynn Grice Roger and Jean Grimes Robert Gunnink and Miriam Olson Kevin Hadder and Perry Schatz Rudolf and Anneliese Hagemann Martha Hahn John and Merideth Hale Thomas Halverson and Judith Peters Jeff Hamilton and Anne-Marie Berggren Verle and Jan Hammer Melody Hannon Jeanne and David Hannon Tony and Irene Hansen Laurie Hanson and Eric Haun Leonard Hardy and Sheral Grosskrevtz William and Miriam Hart Cathie Hartin and Vera Walters Hugh Hegyi Richard and Sandi Heidinger John Heindl Terry Henley Jack and Marilyn Hensley Nancy Hodak George Moakley and Deborah Hodge-Moakley Chris and Sally Hoffman Richard and Carole Holmes Diane and Tom Huffman Elizabeth Huggins and Sean Barker Perry and Shahara Hughes Robert and Judy Hughes Elin and Sam Ingram Don and Mary Isham Don Jacobs and Debbie Munson Yvonne Jacques Brad and Roberta Johnson Kathy Jones Fran Jones Lory Mark and April Joy Dick and Sandy Joyce James and Dawn Kappell Carol and Ron Kaufman Lois Kelley Vincent D. Kelley and Connie L. Smith Ronald and Nancy Kemp Alan and Cynthia Kempner Grant and Liz Ketterman Bobby Ray and Laverne Keyes Bruce Kilbride and Lynn Krabbe Ryan A. and Nicole L. Kirkish Bev Knapp David and Debra Knight Jim Kolida and Charlotte Hargreaves Tracy Kralicek and Dave Lunn Steve Krause Mary Kubesh Benjy and Liz Kuehling Don and Frost Laird Robert and Lisa Laliberte and Joe Lee Davidson Ray and Jan Lanctot John and Shirley Lannefeld Fred and Ellen Laraway Lisa and Jessica Leather Anne W. and Katie Leight Laney and Keith Lindor
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Carrie Lipka and Robert Gansman Chris and Faye Lockwood Darcy Loyd and Tucker Wolf Rea and Jim Ludke Bruce and Barbara Lummis Bruce and Deborah Mac Ilroy Debe and Bob Mahoney Peggy Malsom Paula Maniszko and Michael Jaworski Linda Mardian Leilani Marquardt Gilbert and Jenny Maw Thomas McDonald and Kathy O’Dwyer Joyce McGowan Pierce and Emile McIntosh Janene McNeil Stacy and Jan Meader Dr. Joseph Meeker George and Dorothy Meno Lee Miller Michael and Mary Miller John Miller and Leslie Hamlett Fay and Kathleen Millett Robert and Victoria Millies Edwin W. Minch Dorina, Elena & Vasile Miron John Mitchell John and Debra Mitchell Melissa Moody Bud Morgan and Tena Morgan Duane and Margaret Morse Jim and Mary Mosier Mike and Jeanne Moss Darrell and Brett Moyer Darla and John Murphy Charlotte Needham John Nelson Rose and James Nelson Steven and Araura Nestor Don and Ruth Newton Nancy Nicol Steve and Bethany Niemeyer Tad and Stephanie Niemyjski Joe and Bonnie Norris Jay and Ellen Norton William and Martha O’Day Sally Odenbach John and Glenda O’Hara Michael and Anna O’Hara Charles Oldham and Joan Goforth Carolyn Oler and Brenda Mastin Dean Olson and Kathi Olson Sara O’Neil David and Jo Orzell Kathi and Patricia Osbakken Dale Osgood Ms. Lacey Pacheco Laura and Peter Pahules Kathy Pankow and G.W. Vessels Cecil Penn and Mary Beth Herbert Emily Penrod Barbara Peters Don and Jean Peters Cynthia and Guy Peterson Tim and Amy Pettigrew Bruce and Kathleen Pettycrew Porters Cafe J. David and Shirley Prest
BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM
Bonnie and Brian Pring Barbara Quackenbush and Raymond Smith Wally and Fay Quanstrom Daniel and Janis Ramirez Random Boutique, Jenny Holmquist Marjorie and Douglas Ranes Doug and Joyce Rankin Pat Rankin Ann Rasar Wallace and Karen Rave Carl Richards Jim Richardson and Linda Thorpe Jim and Pam Ripley Edgardo Rivera Arthur Roberts and Connie Riter John and Chris Robinson Stacey Robyn and Ken Herbert Natalie Rockwell and Tom Swain Clark and Sophia Rogers Joanne Rollins James Romaine and Katie Hawkins Kent and Deon Romrell Dennis and Joann Rook F. Peter Rose Donald and Patricia Ross Gina Rudy Charles V. and Maria Ruiz Louis and Vi Rulon John and Karen Runberg Shaundra and Steven Santos Vivian Sarsam Michael Semken David and Kathleen Shields John and Carol Shier Daniel Shin and Sarah Birchfield Bob Shogren and Renn Louzou-Renn Tim and Becky Shuter Elaine and David Sims Pamela and Joseph Slate Carl Smith Charles and Peggy Snow Thomas and Maria Soosai Roy and Darleen Sordi Nancy and Robert Sorenson Larry Sprechman and Michelle Caisse Glenda Squire Jo Ann Stalcup Kelly Steele and Marty Wojciechowski Don and Tara Stenhoff Mark and Connie Stephens John C. and Jody Stewart Kim and Ann Stone Don and Shirley Stromberg Superior Chamber Of Commerce Phyllis Swan Melinda Swanson Ted and Andree Tarby Wallace Tate and Arlene Blomker Wayne and Nora Taylor Jim Taylor Bobbie and Barry Taylor Mike and Linda Taylor John Tellesbo John Thomas and Arthur Stables Constance Thomas Harold & Rosalee Thompson Rosalee and Harold Thompson Edward and Lona Lee Thull
Lina Torres and Danny St Germain Gary and Natalie Tougas Betsy Travelstead and Jason Carey Guy and Harriet Trieskey Chris and Dawnette Trombley Joshua Tures and James Sorgatz Sherrin and Terry Upgaard Elly Van Gelderen Matthijs Van Soest and Rebekah Hines Erica VanDerHeyden and Shelly Lanham Daniel and Anne Varner Roelof and Diane Velthuis Jack and Cindy Viola Wulf Wagner and Jose Luiz Cuono Larry and Melinda Waite Fred and Dot Walker David Wall and Connie Chen Dave and Laurie Wall Bob and Kathy Weaver Rick and Mary Weber Jeanne and Emmery Wegener James Weikel Richard and Thais Weisenburger Carol and Burton Weisner Phyllis E. Wells Kaittyn and Louise Werho Erle and Jan Wheatley Kerry and Greg White Edward and Christa Whitney Wild Birds Unlimited, Dave and Mary Anne Covey Bridgette and Daniel Wildermuth Paul and Norrine Williams Anita and Andy Williams Jonathan Williams and Elaine Saberowski Robert and Ruth Ann Wilson Jeff and Jenny Winkler Carl and Debbra Wobser John and Evelyn Yaple Joyce and Steven Yingling Dennis and Mary Young Shawn Zack and Tonya Penkrot Joseph and Diana Zerella Ronald and Judith Zwickl
DONORS 2015 Spring Appeal Up to $3,000 James Nafziger
$1,000 to $2,000
Covert and Lea Bailey Craig and Barbara Barrett Imre and Lorna Kertesz Janet Spadora Don and Gloria Traicoff
$250 to $500
Joe Desserres Gregory and Lorraine Scaven David and Karen Stern
DONORS $100 to $250
Lloyd and Marian Alaback George L. Bradbury Mary Ann Bradbury Mark Broadus and Nancy Dye Charles and Jeanne Ann Brush Frank and Laurel Byrne Jane Conrow Leonard and Cheryl Destremps Rick and Lexia Gibson Lois Hammer Mary and Gary Irish Kathy and Rich Kuehl Georganna Lagen John and Catherine Matthews Judith Milgram and Stacey Milgram Robert and Victoria Millies Charlotte Needham Jim and Kally Reynolds Glenda and Michael Ross Stephen Shetron Charles and Peggy Snow Superior Chamber Of Commerce Rachel Trinder David Wall and Connie Chen Wild Birds Unlimited, Dave and Mary Anne Covey Rusty Wilkinson Patricia World
Up to $99
Ronald and Rebecca Beason Robert and Sandra Bennis Karen Braghetta Nancy and Ed Buell Wanda Chihak JoAnn Chilcoat William and Rebecca Daugherty Hermann and Jo Eckert John and Loretta Ellison Chris and Janet Garton Judy Gray Richard and Carole Holmes George Jones and Kent Levine Jeffrey and JoAnn Kovan Patrick and Diana LaClair John and Kirsten Loesche Gina Lopez Vello and Darla Ludi George and Dorothy Meno Miriam Moore John and Patricia Percival Carmen Slough and Aurora Wallace Phyllis Swan Jim and Judy Taylor Mary Warren and Bonnie Wright Mariann Wood Barry and Cecilia Woody Beth Woolway and Mike Benesh
2015 June Appeal $1,000 to $2,000
Covert and Lea Bailey Richard E. Weaver
Up to $500
Constance and Arlyn Clark
$300 to $499
Kathy Evans Rachel Trinder Rusty Wilkinson
$100 to $250
Richard and Carol Andrews Pat and Howard Baldwin George and Millie Bilotta Mark Broadus and Nancy Dye Mike and Darlene Churchman Christina Clark David and Alice Cook David and Elizabeth Cronk Alexander Dioyenis and Mary K France Paul Dygert and Rochelle Malinoff Warren Goff Jan and Cheryl Gould Wayne F Hall and Suzanne Davis Claudia and Art Helfgott Yvonne Jacques Jerry and Luana Lantz Carrie Lipka and Robert Gansman Barbara S. Macnider and Michael A. Sullivan Kirti Mathura and Rosie Crespo Duane and Margaret Morse James Nafziger Donald and Thelma Peters Wally and Fay Quanstrom Edgardo Rivera Donald and Patricia Ross Marc and Rikki Schmidt Lois Schneberger Richard and Karyn Shaffstall Mark and Jane Siegwarth Bob and Elaine Skousen Larry and Melinda Waite James and Elizabeth Walker Henry Whitney Patricia World John and Evelyn Yaple Dennis and Mary Young
Up to $99
Bobby and Marsha Armstrong Larry Bartoszek and Karen Adamski Glen and Patricia Bengtson Robert and Sandra Bennis Victoria and John Blake Lyle Brewer Gloria Bruce Carl and Pamela Close Constantine and Ruth Costa John and Barbara Cox Catherine Cryer Steve and Kaira Daughton Robert and Elaine Dube’ Linda Eikenberry Elias Y. Esquer Jacqueline L. Evans and Hortense Rodriguez Ward and Melodie Fogelsanger Kathy and David Fridovich Chris and Janet Garton Dorothy Geiger Erik Gillman
David and Judy Glaeseman Erik and Sonja Grant Rudolf and Anneliese Hagemann Melody Hannon Richard and Sandi Heidinger Jeri Henry Keyte and Robert Hladky Ronald and Patricia Ingraham Martha Johnson and Gary Selinger Patty Kelley Karen Lampkins John and Janet Laut Phillip and Glenda Long Robyn Malgieri Linda Mardian William McAfee Nancy McCollough David and Olga Meakes Susan Milliron Carleton Moore Kate O’Hara and Sharon Bushart Margaret Pope and Norman Epstein Stephan and Stephanie Price Bob and Susanne Reary Thomas and Mary Anne Reyman Cynthia Riley Cecily Ring Cook Bill and Denise Russell Fred and Joyce Scharringhausen Michael Semken Mark and Melissa Shelby JoAnn and Peter Speyer Leroy and Beverly Svoboda Barbara Tandy Don and Eden Thompson Laura Thornhill Denise Van Keuren Bruce Washburn Melvin and Silvia Werre Richard and Jane Wicklund Darrel and Gail Wilder Mark and Ellen Winstead Robert Witzeman Carolyn Wong Barry and Cecilia Woody
Sustaining Donations Larry and Rosa Geske Diane and Tom Huffman Georganna Lagen John and Kirsten Loesche Jim and Kally Reynolds
Unrestricted Donations Up to $1,000
Camelback Hotel Corporation
Up to $499
David and Diana Oberpriller
$100 to $250
Rich and Cindy Adams Jose Tovar
Philip Huddleston Paul Micheal and Carmen Falcon John and Glenda O’Hara Valley of the Sun United Way
In Memory of Bill Feldman Up to $99 Bill Dellinges and Lora Shank
In Memory of Dr. J. Ralph Hanson Up to $99 Melody A. Scheffler
In Memory of Margaret Diane Long Up to $99 Bruce Long
In Memory of Karl May Up to $150 Robert E. Briggs George Girard Bruce Helming Elberta M. Sandal
In Memory of John McGahan Up to $99 Donald and Ruth Ann Rutledge Patsy and Gerald Rutledge
In Memory of Joy McPherson Smith Up to $200 Ian Murray
In Memory of JoyceAnn Reasbeck Up to $99 Sue and John Weitz
Restricted Donations
Boyce Thompson Arboretum Picture Booklet $300 Don and Joyce Dirks
Gifts In Kind
Microscope American Public Gardens Association (APGA) Refrigerator Pam Abot Refrigerator, stove, and microwave Melissa Bourgogne Garden Lattice Patti Baynham 16 Foot Boojum Tree Ira Stein
Up to $99
Thomas Bingel and Wei Chen Sherry Figdore
BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM
JULY 2015
31
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Boyce Thompson
PERMIT NO. SBSDM PHOENIX AZ
Arboretum
37615 E US Highway 60 Superior, AZ 85173 arboretum.ag.arizona.edu
UPCOMING EVENTS Lizard Walks
August 8, September 12 at 8 a.m. An introduction to the fascinating world of desert reptiles with specimens such as Gila monsters, etc. Always entertaining as well as educational.
Plants of the Bible Land Tours
July 18, August 15, September 19. David Oberpriller leads this popular monthly tour of plants growing at the Arboretum that are also found in the Middle East. These tours start at 8 a.m.
Geology Tours
July 25, August 22, September 26. Do you wish you knew more about how our desert landscape was formed? Wonder how old Picketpost Mountain is? Starts at 8 a.m.
Edible and Medicinal Plants Walks
July 26, August 23, September 27. Familiarize yourself with the desert’s natural bounty. Starts at 8 a.m.
Butterfly Walks
July 25, August 22, September 26. Discover the beautiful world of Arizona butterflies on these informative walks. Starts at 8:30 a.m.
Tree Tours with Arborist Jeff Payne
August 16 and September 20. Jeff shows you around the BTA and introduces you to the world of trees. Starting time is 8 a.m.
Dragonfly Walks
August 1, September 5, and October 3. Ayer Lake and Queen Creek attract a diverse array of odonates. Can you tell the difference between dragonflies and damselflies? Are all dragonflies carnivorous? Join this lively walk to find out. Starts at 8:30 a.m.
Attracting Insects at Night
August 15 at 7:30 p.m., Marceline VandeWater will host a members-only “Moth Night”. Bright lights and ultra-violet lights will attract a great variety of moths and other insects. And on September 12, 7 p.m., entomologist Margarethe Brummermann will present a talk on “Insects: How Not to be Eaten” and then set up the lights for members and non-members alike. Both events are excellent opportunities for photographers.
Prickly Pear Cooking Classes
August 1, 2, 29, and 30 starting at 9:30 p.m. Learn how to cook nopales and juice the fruit of prickly pear cactus. Tall Order Catering will host these fun and popular classes.
Winter Hours from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. start on October 1!
Most walks, tours, and some classes are included with paid admission (and free to members, of course) unless otherwise noted. Get times and the most current information from the Arboretum’s website, the weekly member e-Newsletter, or call the Gift Shop at 520-689-2723. Email : btainfo@ag.arizona.edu