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Pholisma arenarium

Pholisma arenarium Nutt. ex Hook.

Desert Christmas Tree, Dune Food, Scaly-stemmed Sand Plant

Lennoaceae (Lennoa Family)

Synonym(s): Pholisma depressum, Pholisma paniculatum

USDA Symbol: PHAR5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Lacks chlorophyll, and is parasitic on the roots of other plants.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Usually up to about 1 foot tall, with stem up to about 1 inch in diameter. Can be much taller in the right conditions.
Leaf: Small leaves are spirally arranged on thick stem, and may be inconspicuous when plant is blooming.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA
Native Habitat: Margins of sandy washes and adjacent low desert dunes.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2020-02-10
Research By: CBR

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