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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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Xylorhiza tortifolia var. tortifolia (Mojave woody-aster)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Xylorhiza tortifolia var. tortifolia

Xylorhiza tortifolia (Torr. & A. Gray) Greene var. tortifolia

Mojave Woody-aster, Mojave Aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Aplopappus tortifolius, Aster abatus, Aster goodingii, Aster mohavensis, Aster tortifolius, Machaeranthera tortifolia, Xylorhiza lanceolata, Xylorhiza scopulorum

USDA Symbol: XYTOT

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A low sub-shrub with a rounded form, mojave aster grows to about 2-1/2 ft. in height. Its leaves are narrow with spine-tipped teeth. Lavender, aster-like flowers occur singly and are large and showy.

 

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 30 inches tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Usually lavender, seldom white.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NV , UT
Native Distribution: S. CA to s. UT & n. & w. AZ
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky, desert slopes & washes

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soils.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed.
Seed Treatment: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Xylorhiza tortifolia var. tortifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Xylorhiza tortifolia var. tortifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Xylorhiza tortifolia var. tortifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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