Mexican Cliff Rose
Purshia mexicana
(Cowania mexicana)
In open ponderosa woodland near the headwaters of the East Verde River, Gila Co., Arizona, USA. 22 Aug. 2010.
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FLOWERS: Five bright white petals surround a disc of yellow stamens.
LEAVES: Palmately or pinately compound leaves with three to seven lobes.
Dark green, evergreen leaves are shiny-resinous.
SHRUB: An intricately branched shrub occasionally as tall as 2 m
tall.
RANGE: Found in interior chaparral, piñon-juniper and adjoining
habitats. In open areas between trees in ponderosa woodlands. In the USA
restricted to Arizona but found in nw. Mexico as well.
FRUIT: The multiple ovaries of the fruit are joined but not fused. The
styles of each ovary elongate into a plumose tail making the whole fruit very
conspicuous.
UNARMED. No thorns. As with many chaparral plants the branches of cliff
rose are very stiff.
Rosaceae -- Rose Family
More Information:
- Plants of the Verde Valley
- USDA Plant Profile
- ITIS Taxonomic Report
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search