Evening Snow
Linanthus dichotomus
Photographed near Saddle Mountain in western Maricopa Co., Arizona. March 2008.
FLOWERS: White petals fused into a tube which may have some purplish coloring. Stamens down in throat.
ANNUAL: A delicate herb of spring time in the Sonoran Desert. Opening in
the evening and melting with mid-day sun. Rarely much taller than
15 cm. Plants in drier locations may bear flowers singly on
thin stems; more robust plants will have several.
LEAVES: Leaves are opposite on the stem. The upper leaves are
simple-linear while lower, basal leaves may be pinnatifid with linear segments.
RANGE: Fairly common in the western portions of the Sonoran Desert on rocky bajadas and wash banks but
visible only in springs following good winter rains.
FRUIT: Dry, spherical capsule.
UNARMED. No spines/thorns.