Arizona Illustrated 1129: All About Desert Plants

This week on a special desert plants episode of Arizona Illustrated…how a “nature nerd” turned his passion into a career advocating for the Sonoran Desert; the unknown origins and otherworldly draw of the crested saguaro; how Spadefoot Nursery is restoring the flora for fauna and humans, and the many benefits of the Desert Willow.

Nurtured by Nature
Tucson native Tony Figueroa grew up loving the outdoors and being a “nature nerd” which included watching The Desert Speaks, NOVA, and Nature on PBS. After beginning a career in a “sensible field” as a pharmacy technician, he decided to follow his true passion, attended the University of Arizona, and now works to protect the Sonoran Desert.

The Mysterious Crested Saguaro
The Mysterious Crested Saguaro takes an in-depth look into this extremely rare mutation of the saguaro cactus. In 2016, still little is known about what causes this strange growth or how often it occurs. A small group call the Crested Saguaro Society started photographing and documenting all the crested saguaros they could find. Their work has reshaped our knowledge and understanding of the cactus.

Restoring the Flora – Spadefoot Nursery
Spadefoot Nursery is more than just a place to buy plants. They are a community hub for Tucsonans interested in restoring the local ecology. Founded and run by Katy Gierlach, Jared McKinley, and Peter Gierlach (Petey Mesquitey), their emphasis is on growing native plants that support wildlife. Spadefoot Nursery strives to be a safe and inclusive space for flora, fauna, and human alike.

Desert Plants – Desert Willow
The desert willow is a thornless, deciduous tree native to the Sonoran Desert that provides flowers much of the year. Experts say it is a fantastic choice in landscaping settings because it is decorative, helps wildlife and doesn’t “bite back” with thorns or needles.