Native Plants

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Sturla, Gene

Nama demissum

Nama demissum A. Gray

Purplemat, Purple Mat

Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: NADE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Mats of slender, hairy stems, leafy toward ends and lying on ground, with several bell-shaped, deep pink to reddish-lavender flowers growing from leaf axils.

Nama in Greek means "a water spring." There are many species in the genus, both perennials and showy annuals, that carpet the desert floor with purple after adequate rainfall. Hispid Nama (N. hispidum), with erect, bushy-branched stems and very narrow leaves, is another low species common in deserts from southern California to western Texas and northern Mexico.

From the Image Gallery

29 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Stems prostrate, up to about 8 inches long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NV , UT
Native Distribution: Southwestern Utah south to central Arizona, southeastern California, and northwestern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Desert flats and washes.

Web Reference

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

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2025-02-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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