Showy Rushpink (Skeletonweed; Arizona Rushpink)
Lygodesmia grandiflora var. arizonica Family: Asteraceae (A Utah Flora - Compositae) - Sunflower Family Perennial herbs; milky juice; stems 2.4” to 1.6' (0.6 to 5 dm) tall Leaves: alternate or mainly basal and still alternate; simple; can have hairs; 0.2” to 4” (0.5 to 10 cm) long or more, 0.04” to 0.2” (1 to 5 mm) wide Flowers: flowers are all raylike; 5 to 10 rays are pink, purple, or rarely white; 0.8” to 1.6” (2 to 4 cm) long Pollinators: insects Fruits: achene – 1 seeded with hard shell Blooms in Arches National Park: May, June, July Habitat in Arches National Park: mainly in sand in desert shrub, grassland and pinyon-juniper communities Location seen: park road near Petrified Dunes, park road mile 7, west boundary of park Other: The genus name, “Lygodesmia”, is from the Greek “lygodes” which means “willow-like” and "desmos" which means “band, chain, or bundle”. The species name, “grandiflora” , means “large flower” and the variety name, "arizonica" , means “of or from Arizona ” relating to its range. This family is the most advanced and complex of the dicots. The family is rich in oils and resins and is found in every part of the world, but is infrequent in the tropical rainforest. Aquatic or semi-aquatic species are also uncommon. |
Did You Know?
Native Americans never inhabited Arches on a year-round basis, though they certainly roamed the area searching for wild game, useful plants and rocks for tool-making. Petroglyphs near Wolfe Ranch are thought to have been created by Indians from the Ute/Paiute cultures. More...