Recently Recognized Cultivated and Encouraged Plants Among the Hohokam

The anomalous geographic distribution of agave and cholla cactus remains in archaeological sites points to cultivation. Cholla pollen is ubiquitous in hamlets distant from its probable sources. Five plants have undergone morphologic change indicative of domestication: little barley (Hordeum pusillum), Mexican crucilo (Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana), amaranth (Cf. Amaranthus hypochondriacus), tobacco (Nicotiana rustica), and a member of the potato family (Solanaceae). At least five more formed part of a cool season crop complex locally cultivated or encouraged by the Hohokam: Chenopodium, tansy mustard (Descurainia), milkvetch (Astragalus), and maygrass (Phalaris). In the Queen Creek area pollen and macrofloral evidence suggests the natural desert vegetation was manipulated by fire to yield harvests favorable to human existence.