desert eriastrum
Eriastrum eremicum (Jeps.) H.Mason
Eriastrum eremicum, known as desert eriastrum, is an annual plant in the Polemoniaceae family. It is native to the Sonoran Desert and is commonly found in Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, and the Mexico Northwest region. This species is notable for its tendency to grow in large quantities, creating a sky blue carpet across the desert floor.
Description
Eriastrum eremicum is an annual flowering plant in the phlox family (Polemoniaceae). It is native to the Sonoran Desert and is widely distributed across the southwestern United States and adjacent regions of Mexico. The plant is characterized by its ability to form dense populations, often covering the desert floor with a blue-hued bloom. It was first described in 1945 and is known for its ecological role in arid environments.
Other common names
desert eriastrumdesert woollystar
Distribution
Arizona · California · Mexico Northwest · Nevada · Utah
Synonyms
Gilia eremicaHugelia eremica