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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Loeseliastrum matthewsii (Desert calico)
Miller, Holmes O.

Loeseliastrum matthewsii

Loeseliastrum matthewsii (A. Gray) Timbrook

Desert Calico

Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)

Synonym(s): Langloisia matthewsii, Loeselia matthewsii

USDA Symbol: LOMA10

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Small bristly tufts or mats with colorful white to pink or lavender-dotted, bilaterally symmetrical flowers nestled among leaves.

All species in this genus are tufted and rather bristly. Schott's Calico (L. schottii), also bilaterally symmetrical, has a pale lavender corolla with purple spots or a purple, arch-shaped patch. Species of Loeseliastrum were once considered to be part of the larger genus Langloisia. Flower shape and other features distinguish the two genera.

 

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA , NV
Native Distribution: Southern California northeast to northwestern Arizona and south to Mexico.
Native Habitat: Open, gravelly or sandy deserts.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Loeseliastrum matthewsii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Loeseliastrum matthewsii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Loeseliastrum matthewsii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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