Names
Scientific Name: Ayenia compacta
Synonym:
Common Names: Desert ayenia, California ayenia
Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Shrub
Arizona Native Status: Native
Habitat: Sandy washes and dry canyon bottoms
Flower Color: Purple, red, or pink with white at base of petal
Flowering Season: March to April
Height: Up to 20 inches
Description: Desert Ayenia has single to multiple stems extending straight up from the base of the taproot. Leaves are oblong to blade-like with serrated edges. Flowers protrude from the nodes of the stem. Petals are less than a 1/4 inch in size. Fruits are round and tan in color with light purple pubescence.
Special Characteristics
Classification
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
SOURCES:
United States Department of Agriculture, Plants List: plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=AYCO&mapType=nativity
Calflora website: calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Ayenia+compacta
University of California at Berkley, Jepson Herbarium: ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=Ayenia+compacta
