Plant species of Tumamoc Hill

Tumamoc has more than 300 species of plants. Thanks to the artistry, hard work and generosity of T. Beth Kinsey, you can already see a few of them in this part of the website.

The species list has all our species but many do not yet have their own webpage. We are working to include them, too. (Check the What's new? page for notice of additions.)

Meanwhile, visit Beth's own site Fireflyforest where you will find other plants of southern Arizona, as well as many from Hawaii. And please do let Beth know how much you appreciate her work!

Anisacanthus thurberi – Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle

Anisacanthus thurberi - Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle, Chuparosa (orange flowers)

Anisacanthus thurberi - Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle, Chuparosa (red flowers)

Anisacanthus thurberi - Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle, Chuparosa (orange-yellow flowers)

Anisacanthus thurberi - Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle, Chuparosa (orange-brown flowers)

Anisacanthus thurberi - Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle, Chuparosa (orange flower)Anisacanthus thurberi - Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle, Chuparosa (seeds)

Anisacanthus thurberi - Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle, Chuparosa (red flowers)

Plant Name

Scientific Name: Anisacanthus thurberi

Common Names: Thurber's Desert Honeysuckle, Chuparosa

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial, Deciduous

Growth Habit: Shrub

Arizona Native Status: Native

Habitat: Desert, Upland, Riparian. It grows in sandy washes and rocky canyons.

Flower Color: Orange, Red, Orange-yellow, Orange-brown

Flowering Season: Spring, Summer

Height: To 6 feet (1.8 m) tall

Description: The flowers are tubular, 2 inches (5 cm) long, and have 4 curling lobes, 2 stamens, and a long, white pistil. The flowers bloom sporadically throughout the warm part of the year. The leaves are green, short-stemmed, lanceolate to elliptical in shape, and either opposite each other or in clusters on the stiff, woody stems.

Special Characteristics

Hummingbird Flower – The flowers attract hummingbirds.

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta Plants
Class: Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Scrophulariales
Family: Acanthaceae Acanthus family
Genus: Anisacanthus Nees – desert honeysuckle
Species: Anisacanthus thurberi (Torr.) A. Gray – Thurber's desert honeysuckle

RETURN TO SPECIES LIST

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 Tumamoc is managed by the University of Arizona College of Science and Pima County, Arizona.