SafePlants

Sandfood (Pholisma sonorae)

Pholisma sonorae, commonly known as sandfood, is a rare and unusual parasitic herb endemic to the Sonoran Desert.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions Pholisma sonorae has a "scaly spine." Although not explicitly stated, the presence of a spine might pose a potential hazard.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Pholisma sonorae (Torr. ex A. Gray) Yatsk.
• Common Name: Sandfood
• Family: Boraginaceae (Lennoaceae) / Sandfood Family
• Synonym: Ammobroma sonorae, Ammobroma

Distribution and Habitat

• Sandfood is endemic to the Sonoran Deserts, specifically to the west of Yuma, Arizona, southeastern California, and El Gran Desierto in Sonora, Mexico.
• It's often found in sandy dune environments.

Ecological Role

• Pholisma sonorae is a parasitic herb. It attaches to host plants via its underground stem to absorb water and nutrients.
• Interestingly, it shares the water it absorbs with its host plant during times of drought.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Sandfood is a perennial herb.
• It has a succulent underground stem.
• When it emerges above the sand, it produces "mushroom-shaped" rose-purple flowers.

Legal Status

• California Rare Plant Rank: 1B.2
• Federal: Bureau of Land Management Sensitive.

Quirky Facts

• Despite being a parasite, Pholisma sonorae shares water with its host plant during droughts.
• It is described as a mushroom-shaped plant that emerges from the sand with rose-purple flowers.

Further Information

• CalPhotos: Click here to view photos of Pholisma sonorae (as referenced in the original text).
• BISON Web Link: http://bison.usgs.ornl.gov/api/scientificName/Pholisma%20sonorae
• ITIS Web Link (likely to be available, but not explicitly provided in full)