• Lower Cliff Dwelling

    Tonto

    National Monument Arizona

Arizona Walnut

Walnuts and leaves

NPS Photo

Walnuts and leaves

Nuts were gathered and eaten. The shells, outer husks, and twigs were boiled and used to make dye or black paint.

Trees were used to construct dome-shaped lodges when away from home.

The plant can be used to soothe gastrointestinal problems, acne, as a laxative, and to treat fungal infections.

Did You Know?

crested saguaro

Tonto National Monument is home to a crested saguaro.  Biologists disagree as to why some saguaros grow in this unusual form.  Some speculate that it is a genetic mutation.  Others say it is the result of  lightning or freeze damage.  About one in 150,000 saguaros develop this unusual growth.