Common name:
Early shaggytuft
Family:
Scientific name:
Stenandrium barbatum
Main flower color:
Range:
Southeast New Mexico and west Texas
Height:
A few inches
Habitat:
Dry, open, rocky areas; often on limestone flats
Leaves:
Lanceolate, hairy, up to 2 inches long
Season:
February to June
Stenandrium barbatum is an uncommon species of the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico and Texas, forming spreading clusters of many short stems and narrow, grey/green leaves. Both sides of the leaves have a covering of thick, white hairs, densest on the upper surfaces. Flowers are formed of a small, green, lobed calyx and a relatively large corolla, opening to five lobes which are pink, streaked with white, contrasting with the dull green leaves. Flowers are not radially symmetric; two of the lobes are closer than the other three, and also somewhat larger.
The common name (early shaggytift) refers to the early blooming, at the start of spring.
The common name (early shaggytift) refers to the early blooming, at the start of spring.
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