These data were compiled for a literature review exploring science that informs plant material sourcing and selection in the interior central and western United States. Objectives of our study were to compile and summarize scientific literature that informs plant material selection to synthesize the state of knowledge relevant to decision-making. These data represent scientific studies that inform plant material selection and associated information including study type, study area, Environmental Protection Agency Level III Ecoregions of the Continental United States, objectives/questions, and conclusions in relation to plant material sourcing. These data were collected from articles published between 1994-2024 in unforested water-limited ecosystems in the interior central and western United States. These data were collected by U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center researchers through a literature search in Google Scholar. These data can be used to explore and summarize the current state of scientific knowledge informing plant material selection in this study area and time period and as a basis for expanded literature reviews and analyses.