One hundred ninety-five species of plants native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico were surveyed for potential feedstocks for biocrude production in arid lands. Biocrude is the hydrocarbon and hydrocarbonlike chemical fraction of plants which may be extracted by organic solvents and upgraded to liquid fuels and chemical feedstocks. Plants were evaluated using a set of models which provide estimates of oil and energy production costs. Plants producing either latex or resinous exudates had the highest percentage of high energy extracts. Total extracts were highest in smaller, potentially less productive plants. The optimum combination of percentage biocrude and potential yield occurred in plants of intermediate size having higher than average extractables. High biomass yields do not appear necessary for the economic production of biocrude in irrigated, arid regions. Several desert plants might produce biocrude for between $10–15 per million BTU without by-product credits.