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ragged rockflower

Scientific Name: Crossosoma bigelovii var. glaucum

Family: Crossosomataceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Ragged Rockflower (Crossosoma bigelovii)

Crossosoma bigelovii, commonly known as Ragged Rockflower, is a shrub native to the deserts of southwestern North America.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is described as having spinescent (spiny) branches, which could pose a risk of injury to pets.
  • Its leaves are described as sharp-pointed which could cause injury.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is described as having spinescent (spiny) branches, which could pose a risk of injury to children.
  • Its leaves are described as sharp-pointed which could cause injury.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Crossosoma bigelovii S. Watson
  • Common Names: Ragged Rockflower, Bigelow's Crossosoma, Bigelow's Ragged Rock Flower, Rock Crossosoma, Rhyolite Bush
  • Family: Crossosomataceae
  • Order: Crossosomatales
  • The genus name Crossosoma comes from a Greek word meaning "fringe body," referring to the fringed aril.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of North America.
  • Found in Southern California, Northern Mexico, Arizona, and Southern Nevada.
  • Grows in dry, rocky slopes and canyons, and along desert edges.
  • Observed growing at elevations between 1500' and 4000'.
  • Often found in rocky canyons.

Morphological Characteristics

  • A gray bush or shrub, typically growing to 1.5 meters (approximately 6 feet) in height, but can reach 2 meters.
  • Growth Form: Dense and often spinescent (spiny).
  • Branchlets: Rigid and spiny.
  • Leaves: Lanceolate, elliptic, oblanceolate, or circular, 5-15 mm long, with an apex ranging from rounded to acute (sharp-pointed). Bluish-green in color.
  • Flowers: Bears a single flower in its inflorescence. Flowers are white to tinged purplish. Has 5 petals that do not touch.
  • Fragrance: Citrus-fragranced spring flowers.

Quirky Facts

  • The plant's scientific name, Crossosoma, is derived from a Greek word describing the fringed aril, which is a unique feature of the seed.