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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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Ipomopsis thurberi (El paso skyrocket)
Sturla, Gene

Ipomopsis thurberi

Ipomopsis thurberi (Torr. ex A. Gray) V.E. Grant

El Paso Skyrocket, Thurber's Skyrocket, Thurber's Gilia

Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)

Synonym(s): Gilia thurberi

USDA Symbol: IPTH2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

El Paso Skyrocket or Thurber's Gilia is a showy 12-36 in. plant with attractive bluish-purple to claret-colored flowers clustered on one side of the sparsely leaved stem. The flowers are tubular with back-turned petals.

 

From the Image Gallery

20 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
Native Distribution: S. NM, AZ & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Open slopes; canyons; 4000 to 6500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Well-drained, rocky soil.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Sow seed in fall two years in a row to get flowers every year.

Web Reference

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

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2026-06-30
Research By: TWC Staff

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