Author: | Thomas
Nuttall, 1844 |
Family: |
LENNOACEAE* |
Origin: |
Baja California; Mexico, Arizona, California; U.S.A. |
Soil: |
Sand - Mix |
Water:
|
Medium |
Sun: |
Not Really |
Thickness: |
15 Centimetres |
Height: |
30 Centimetres |
Flower:
|
Lavender -
Deep Purple |
Propagate: |
Seeds |
Names:
|
Desert
Christmas Tree, Scaly-Stemmed Sand Plant, Purple Sand Food |
Synonyms: |
Might
be: Lennoa arenaria, E. Fourn. 1869.
Pholisma
depressum, Greene, 1886.
Pholisma paniculatum,
B.C. Templeton, 1938. |
This parasitic plant is a member of the
Lennoaceae family. It was given this name by Thomas Nuttall in 1844. It is found
in Baja California; Mexico and Arizona, California; U.S.A., growing on
the roots of other plants (i.e. Croton, Chrysothamnus, Eriogonum,
and Ambrosia) in sand dunes with little water
and no need of sun, as it is a heterotroph; getting the nutrients
from its host. The caudex can grow to 15
centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 30 centimetres in
height. The
flowers are lavender to dark purple.
The genera name from Latin
pholis; 'scale'. The species name from Latin arena;
'sand', referring to its native sandy habitat.
')Accordantly to the latest taxonomic system; APG IV 2016, Lennoaceae
is
now part of
the Boraginaceae. |