Locality: Foothills of Franklin Mountains

Abstract: The foothills of the Franklin mountains are Chihuahan desert scrub, dominated by creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), with minor components of javelina bush (Condalia ericoides), littleleaf ratany (Krameria erecta), and desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata). This year (2014) there is high cover of annual grasses, predominantly sixweeks grama (Bouteloua barbata), with scattered bristly wolfstail (Lycurus setosus), and feather fingergrass (Chloris virgata). Also, erect spiderling (Boerhavia erecta) and annual windmills (Allionia choisyi) form a continuous groundcover in many places. Streams channels support a variable mix of mesic shrubs, such as splitleaf brickellbush (Brickellia laciniata), resinbush (Viguiera stenoloba), and littleleaf sumac (Rhus microphylla). Larger channels often contain desert willow (Chilopsis linearis). Diverse forbs encountered in swales and streams include sacred thorn-apple (Datura wrightii), slimlobe globeberry (Ibervillea tenuisecta), and grasses like purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea) and streambed bristlegrass (Setaria leucopila). In residential neighborhoods prickly Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) dominates disturbed areas, along with puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris), feather fingergrass (Chloris virgata), lemonscent (Pectis angustifolia), and tanseyleaf tansyaster (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia).