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Eriogonum inflatum
Eriogonum inflatum Torr. & Frém.
Desert Trumpet, Indian Pipeweed, Bladderstem, Bottle Stopper
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ERIN4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
This usually 1-3 ft. species is often considered a desert annual, but the root may tap deeply enough to carry it over for a few seasons. A spindly plant with 1 or few leafless, erect stems swollen just below branches. Spoon-shaped leaves lie flat against the ground and send up forked and reforked branches, the main branches conspicuously inflated. From branch tips are borne small, graceful clusters of yellow-green, tubular flowers.
This is a common desert plant, conspicuous because of the stark, swollen, gray-green stems, which have a pleasant sour taste. Dried stems were used by Native Americans as tobacco pipes, hence one of its common names.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall, often shorter.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Yellow , GreenBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Bloom Notes: Yellow with greenish or reddish midribs.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , NM , NV , UTNative Distribution: W. CO & AZ to deserts of s. CA & Baja; reported on desert hills of WY
Native Habitat: Deserts washes & mesas below 6000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Drought tolerant.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSupports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed.Seed Collection: The three-sided achene can be hand-stripped from the plant.
Seed Treatment: Seeds of this genus generally germinate without pretreatment but in such a large genus, a variety of germination responses can be expected.
Commercially Avail: yes
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 Eriogonum inflatum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Eriogonum inflatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eriogonum inflatum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-09Research By: TWC Staff