Montezuma Castle National Monument - Trees and Shrubs

Montezuma Castle National Monument by National Parks Service

Trees of Montezuma Castle

The trees of Montezuma Castle can be divided into two basic groups: those that require a riparian environment in order to satisfy their water requirements, and those that can flourish on the scant rainfall in more arid locations.

Arizona Sycamore

Platanus wrightii

This tree is the most conspicuous at the monument, both because of its size (up to 80 feet tall) and by its appearance. The white, brown, and green bark sets this tree apart. The constantly shedding bark creates an ever-changing mosaic of color. While other species of sycamore can be found in North America, in Arizona this tree can only be found along riparian corridors. The extremely large leaves reveal that this is a tree that must have its roots in permanent water in order to survive. The tree uses an amount of water (by weight) equal to the weight of the leaves every hour of the day. The main beams of the Castle are made of sycamore.

Cottonwood

Populus fremontii

This is another of the riparian-dependant trees of the monument. The leaves closely resemble those of the aspen, with whom it is a close relative. In the spring, the air is filled with the white, cottony fluff that gives this tree its name. The roots are carved to make kachina dolls, drums, and tools.

Arizona Walnut

Juglans major

This tree produces an edible nut which contains the anti-fungal agent juglone. The nuts are harvested in the fall by both people and squirrels.

Netleaf Hackberry

Celtis reticulata

The smooth, gray bark of the hackberry becomes warty with age. This tree produces an edible berry which turns from green to red in the fall. The berry can be picked before the first frost when it turns red. The berries were ground-up and mixed with other edible plant parts or animal fat which could be stored for use during the winter.

Velvet Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica ssp. velutina

This deciduous tree grows up to 30 feet tall, with a velvety surface on the leaves giving the tree its name. The seeds are a food source for birds and animals.

Goodings Willow

Salix goodingii

The lance-shaped leaves and deeply-furrowed bark are the main characteristics of this tree. The bark contains salycin which is the basis of salycic acid from which aspirin is made.

One-seed Juniper

Juniperus monosperma

This evergreen tree has gray, fibrous bark and green scale-like leaves. The berries have been used for both medicine and food. The twigs and branches have been burned to purify places and persons. A hot tea of the leaves has been used for headaches and colds. Tea made from berries and leaves is used for bladder infections.

Velvet Mesquite

Prosopsis velutina

This tree produces an edible bean, which has been an important food source for both people and animals. A tea of the bark, leaves, and pods has been used for stomach disorders.

Desert Willow

Chilopsis linearis

Desert Willow has been used as roofing material, and powdered or made into a wash for skin infections. The flowers have been brewed into a tea for coughs.

Shrubs of Montezuma Castle

Mormon Tea

Ephedra viridis

This plant, also known as joint-fir, has no noticeable leaves. Its green bark contains chlorophyl which allows for photosynthesis to occur. A tea of the joints has been used for stomach disorders, rheumatism, and as a decongestant for colds. New world ephredras contain psuedoephridrine.

Creosote bush

Larrea tridentata

This plant produces a toxin through the root system that very few plants can tolerate. This eliminates competition for rainfall. It is the most wide-spread of the desert shrubs, and can be found from west Texas to central Nevada, often forming pure stands. It is a veritable "medicine chest" and has been used for upset stomachs, coughs, and colds. It contains nordihydroguaiaretic acid which is being studied for its anti-cancer properties.

Four-wing saltbush

Atriplex canescans

The leaves and seed heads contain 18 percent protein and have been used as a food source. The chewed roots have been used on insect bites. A lukewarm tea can be used for nausea and vomiting, and a hot tea used to break a fever.

Mahonia

Berberis haematocarpa

The plant contains berberin and has been used to lower a fever, as a laxative, and as an anti-bacterial skin wash.

Catclaw Acacia

Acacia greggii

The bean of this plant has been used as a food source. A poultice of ground pod and water has been used for muscle pain, bruises, and sprains. A warm water infusion of stems and branches has been used for coughs and throat irritations.