Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A chemurgic survey of the desert flora in the American Southwest

  • Published:
Economic Botany Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

While commercial utilization of the desert flora in the American Southwest is still scarcely begun, there are possibilities of obtaining stock feed, alcohol, paper pulp, sugars, starches, resins, gums, alkaloids, oils and other extractives from the xerophytic plants of the region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Bibliography

  1. Akin, Edwin H. Obtaining cactus plant fiber. U. S. Patent, No. 2,237,295. 4/8/41.

  2. Anderson, Ernest, and Otis, Louise. Composition and structure of mesquite gum. Jour. Am. Chem. Soc.52: 4461–4470. 1930.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. — and Sands, Lila. Preparation of l-arabinose from mesquite gum. Jour. Ind. Eng. & Chem.,17: 1257–1258. 1925; Jour. Am. Chem. Soc. 48: 3172-3177. 1926; Am. Jour. Pharm. 97: 589-592. 1925.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Anon. Desert yields tannin. Business week, 12/21/44, p. 20.

  5. Anon. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid obtained from greasewood. Jour. Ind. Eng. & Chem., 8/45, p. 14; Gaylor Technical Survey 1, No. 31, 8/18/45.

  6. Anon. Feeding value of mesquite (Prosopis) beans and pods. Bull. Imp. Inst.18: 478–479. 1920; Chem. Abs. 15: 25197. 1921.

  7. Arnolt, R. I. and Tuduena, F. P. An alkaloid of Cereus coryne Salm. L. Riti. Chem. Abs.29: 29612. 1935.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Baker, Chas. H., {jrJr.} The gentlemen’s companion. Vol. 1. pp. 184–185. 1946.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Belangee, P. W. Stock feed from spined cacti. U. S. Patent, No. 1,199,864. 10/3/16.

  10. Belani, E. Cholla and mesquite gums—New aids for plastic materials. Kunststoffe24: 309–310. 1934; Chem. Abs. 30: 53236. 1936.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bernhardt, A. Tueea, a German textile raw material. Textil Betreib, Sept. 1938, pp. 16–19; Chem. Abs. 33: 19487. 1939.

  12. Botkin, C. W. et al. Fiber of native plants of New Mexico. N. M. Agr. Exp. Sta., Tech. Bull. 300. 1943.

  13. —. Utilization of fiber and desert plants. Chemurgic Digest4: 226–229. 1945.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Boyd, L. J. Pharmacology of the homeopathic drugs. Jour. Am. Inst. Homeopathic drugs. Jour. Am. Inst. Homeopathy21: 7–29. 1928; Chem. Abs. 22: 9681. 1936.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Brown, A. G. Fiber from yucca leaves. U. S. Patent, No. 1,277,185. 8/27/18.

  16. Buehrer, T. F. et al. The chemical composition of rayless goldenrod (Aplopappus Hartwegi). Am. Jour. Pharm.111: 1–8. 1939.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Chernoff, L. M. et al. Saponin from Yucca filamentosa. Jour. Biol. Chem.28: 437–443. 1917.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Clark, F. E. Domestic natural rubbers. Chem. & Eng. News26: 926–929. 1948.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Comin, E. Anatomical study of yucca leaves and their processing. Fasenforschung13: 214–240. 1938; Chem. Abs.33: 84115. 1939.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Corell, L. A new German fiber plant, the yucca. Melliand Textilber.13: 63–64. 1932; Chem. Abs. 26: 49558. 1932.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Couch, J. F. Toxic constituents of greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus). Am. Jour. Pharm.94: 631–641. 1922; Chem. Abs.28: 64798. 1934.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Curtis, L. C. Chemurgic Digest5: 221–224. 1946.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Dameron, W. D., and Smith, H. P. Prickly pear eradication and control. Texas Agr. Exp. Sta., Bull. Chem. Abs.34: 30067. 1940.

    Google Scholar 

  24. den Doop, J. E. A. Agaves and yuccas of Mexico. Ind. Fibres Eev.5: 101–103. 1940; Chem. Abs. 34: 56669. 1940.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Deplano, F. Sardinina raw materials for manufacture of cellulose. Chem. Abs.28: 59773. 1934.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Diaz, H. Is gum arabic replaceable by mesquite gum? Rev. Quim6: 8–11 1931; Chem. Abs. 25: 55889. 1931.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Dimick, K. P., and Christensen, B. E. New fruetosan from Yucca Mohavensis, Sarg. Jour. Am. Chem. Soc.64: 2501–2502. 1942.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Dodd, A. P. Biological control of the prickly pear in Australia. Chem. Abs.34: 52379. 1940.

    Google Scholar 

  29. du Cloux, E. J. Tricocereus sp. aff. T. Terschedki. Eev. Farm. (Buenos Aires)74: 375–381. 1932; Chem. Abs.28: 10408. 1934.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Edwards, W. H. Insecticides to control pests in Jamaica. Dept. Sci. & Agr. Jamaica, Bull. 6, 1936; Chem. Abs.32: 51476. 1938.

  31. Fongo, Alador. The availability of nordihy droguaiaretic acid anti-oxidant. Oil & Soap23: 75. 1946.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Gaylor, Peter J. Technical Survey, 1, No. 31, 8/18/45; Ind. & Eng. Chem.: 14. 1945.

  33. Giswold, Ole. Plant products and method of extracting same. U. S. Patent, No. 2,408,924. 10/8/46. To Univ. of Minn.

  34. Glazier, John H. Stock food from cactus. U. S. Patent, No. 987,062. 3/14/11.

  35. Greene, R. E. The composition and uses of the giant cactus, Carnegeia gigantea and its products. Jour. Chem. Ed.13: 309–312. 1936.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Griffiths, D., and Hare, R. F. Prickly pear and other cacti as food for stock. II. N. M. Agr. Exp. Sta., Bull. 60. Chem. Abs.1: 21519. 1907.

    Google Scholar 

  37. — and —. Summary of recent investigation of the value of cacti as stock feed. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Pl. Ind., Bull. 102; Chem. Abs.1: 6037. 1907.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Gustafson, F. G. Ethyl alcohol and acetal dehyde in certain kinds of cacti. Biochem. Zeits.272: 172–179. 1934; Chem. Abs.28: 67756. 1934.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Heyl, George. Alkaloids of Carnegiea gigantea. Arch. Pharm.266: 668–673. 1928; Chem. Abs.23: 12119. 1929.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Jansen, M. Beta 2, 4, 5-trimethoxyphenyl ethylamine. Chem. Weekblad.,26: 421–422. 1929; Chem. Abs. 24: 3475. 1930.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Jones, J. M., and Conner, A. B. Utilization of yucca for the maintenance of cattle. Texas Agr. Exp. Sta., Bull. 240. 1919; Chem. Abs. 14: 4361. 1920

  42. Loehr, W. Fiber from yucca. U. S. Patent, No. 1,330,127. 2/10/20.

  43. Long, E. S. Experiments with a new cactus rubber. India Rubber World 62: 709–710. 1920; Chem. Abs.14: 28726. 1920.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Luduena, F. P. Pharmacology of trichocereine, an alkaloid from cactus Trichocereus Terscheki (Parm.) Britton and Rose. Chem. Abs.30: 30905. 1936; Chem. Abs.30: 72203. 1936.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Maeciotta, E. Preparation of alcohol from prickly pears. Ann. Chim. Appl.29: 82–85. 1939; Chem. Abs.33: 89059. 1939.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Marr, R. A. Textile fibers from sedges or similar plants. U. S. Patent, No. 1,362,-723. 12/21/20.

  47. Marshall, E. D. Mesquite utilization in texas. Chemurgie Digest6: 81, 83–85. 1947.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Mell, C. D. Interesting dyestuff plants. Textile Colorist44: 107–111. 1922; Chem. Abs.16: 13219. 1922.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. —. Mesquite as a source of dyes and tannins. Textile Colorist50: 845–848. 1928; Chem. Abs.23: 7091. 1929.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Ward, G. J. Recovery of saponin from the juice of cactus plants and the like. U. S. Patent No. 2, 2,301,787. 11/10/42.

  51. Reti, L. Alkaloids of the cactus Trichocereus candicans Br. & Rose. Compt. Rend. Soe. Biol.114: 811–814. 1933; Chem. Abs.28: 10408. 1934.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Ricevuto-Solina, A., and Guzzardi, P. The oil of seeds of prickly pears. Ann. Chim. Appl.31: 1941; Chem. Abs.35: 83324. 1941.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Roca, Juan. Preliminary chemical study of Pachycereus marginatus. Anales Inst. Biol. (Mexico)2: 133–137. 1931; Chem. Abs.26: 7307. 1932.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. —. Preliminary investigations on the presence of tyrosinase and tyrosine in Pachycereus marginatus. Anales Inst. Biol. (Mexico)7: 97–107. 1936; Chem. Abs.30: 76199. 1936.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Roos, Kurt. A new cellulosic raw material: yucca, or European cotton. Rev. Gen. Mat. Platiques.7: 391–403, 451-455. 1931; Chem. Abs.26: 2959. 1932.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Sands, L., and Klaas, R. Composition of cholla gum. I. Isolation of l-Arabinose, d-galactose, and l-rhamnose. Jour. Am. Chem. Soc.51: 3441–3448. 1929.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Schlubach, H. H., and Florsheim, W. Natural polylevans of Yucca filamentosa. Zeits. Physiol. Chem.198: 153–158. 1931.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Shamp, Herbert. Textile fibers from materials such as yueea. U. S. Patent, No. 1,821,673. 9/1/31.

  59. Shortel, W. A. Fibrous sheets from yucca. U. S. Patent, No. 1,179,229. 4/11/16.

  60. Sinclair, W. M. Aldehydes from cacti. U. S. Patent, No. 1,569,339. 1/12/26.

  61. Spath, Ernst, et al. [15 papers on cactus alkaloids]. Chem. Abs.14: 11146. 1920;17: 14797. 1923;18: 2708. 1924:27: 7258. 1933;28: 17062. 1934;28: 23589. 1934;29: 18257. 1935;29: 36802. 1935;29: 51141. 1935;29: 79892. 1935;30: 17996. 1936;30: 45019. 1936;32: 12722. 1938;32: 74277. 1938;33: 37982. 1939.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Spoehr, H. A. The carbohydrate economy of cacti. Carnegie Inst. Wash., Publ. 287. 1919; Chem. Abs.13: 23863. 1919.

  63. Stanley, J. C. W. Apparatus for production of fiber from flax and hemp straw, yucca leaves, and similar materials. U. S. Patent, No. 1,657,046. 1/24/28.

  64. Stiles, L. M. Alcohol from cactus plants. German Patent, No. 291,073. 3/26/14; Chem. Abs.11: 12482. 1917.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Thatcher, F. Alcohol from cacti. U. S. Patent, No. 1,096,965. 5/19/14; Thatcher, F., and Stiles, L. M. Austrian Patent, No. 71,960. 6/26/16.

  66. Tomaso, C. Alkaloids of peyote. Chem. Abs.29: 67019. 1935.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Tucson Newpapers, Inc. [Press release].

  68. Walton, G. P. A chemical and structural study of mesquite, carob, and honey locust beans. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bull. 1194. 1923; Chem. Abs.18: 7175. 1934.

  69. Wiss, E. Fiber from yucca and similar plants. British Patent, No. 218,215. To Chemische Fabrik Griesheim—Elektron. 1/19/24; Chem. Abs.19: 5804. 1925.

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Robert R. Cruse

    Present address: , Rt. 7, Box 478, Tucson, Arizona

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio

    Robert R. Cruse

Authors
  1. Robert R. Cruse
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cruse, R.R. A chemurgic survey of the desert flora in the American Southwest. Econ Bot 3, 111–131 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02859511

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02859511

Keywords

Search

Navigation