A Steward of the Environment: Teravalis’ Efforts to Preserve Arizona’s Natural Landscapes

With an ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, our team is relocating all plant life deemed salvageable to a nursery on the property, where they will be cared for until they are ultimately repurposed throughout the community. The nursery is filled with notable desert plants such as Saguaros, Ironwoods, Palo Verdes, and Ocotillos. 

The best communities take years to create, nourish and develop. Similar to the way Saguaros, Ironwoods, and other plant life in the Sonoran Desert take years, decades even, to grow to their full potential. We are lucky enough to have several of these beautiful plants throughout our property, and it was important to us that we preserve all salvageable plant life before breaking ground. 

We embrace the opportunity to celebrate and preserve our natural surroundings. As a leader in conservation and sustainable development, The Howard Hughes Corporation sets the standard for what it means to be stewards of the environment. In recognition of Teravalis’ home in the Sonoran Desert, here are a few facts about some of the native plant life.

The Desert Ironwood Tree is known to have some of the heaviest and strongest wood in the world and is also one of the only types of wood that does not float due to its high density. In the spring they produce pale pink and purple flowers that are edible to both humans and animals. Reaching heights of 20 to 50 feet on average, the Ironwood is the tallest tree in the Sonoran Desert. 

The Palo Verde Tree, Arizona’s state tree, can live up to 400 years old producing edible seeds and flowers. The small tree, also considered to be a large shrub, on average stands 15 feet tall and is known as the primary nursing plant for young saguaro cacti. 

The kings of the cactus family, as Saguaros are otherwise known, are the largest cacti in the United States. It may take 10 years for a Saguaro to grow 1 inch in height, but on average they grow to about 40 feet with the tallest Saguaro on record measuring in at 78 feet tall. This desert icon is known to live for 150 to 200 years. Long before the invention of the canteen, Native Americans were known to have used Saguaros as water canisters. 

Ocotillos, while they appear to be a part of the cactus family, are actually considered to be a part of the Fouquieria (Fou·​quie·​ria) plant family; making them more closely related to tea and blueberries than cacti. Known for co-evolving with hummingbirds, Ocotillos bloom in the spring producing edible flowers that are tubular shaped and perfect for their beaks. The “little torches” can live to be 100 years and reach heights up to 20 feet. 

Preserving and repurposing as much of the natural desert landscape as possible across our 37,000 acres will remain a top priority.

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About Teravalis™

Teravalis is primed to be a 37,000-acre premier master planned community located in the West Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area, in Buckeye, Arizona. Translating to “land of the valley,” Teravalis is positioned between the White Tank and Belmont Mountain ranges and is committed to preserving the natural High Sonoran Desert beauty. Utilizing innovative technology and sustainable planning, the community will feature unparalleled amenities and wide-open spaces to explore and discover. Teravalis is a community of Howard Hughes®, known for its mission to curate vibrant communities that elevate the everyday, creating meaningful moments in great places where people can live their best lives – and thrive for generations to come.