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 tree 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-dependent 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, while the trunks are cut and used as drums.

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 reticlulata)

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 charicteristics 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 people. A hot tea of the leaves has been used for headaches and colds. Tea made from the 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 relieving 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 psuedoephedrine, while old world ephedras contain ephredrine.

Creosote bush (Larrea divaricata)

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 can be used to break a fever.

Mahonia (Berberis haematocarpa)

This 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.