Sonoran Desert Pink and Purple Sunflowers

Mojave Aster

Xylorhiza tortifolia

Arrow Weed

Pluchea sericea

Long lived perennial with large showy asters. Northwest portions of the Sonoran Desert where it merges with the Mojave Desert. Detailed Description

Very large shrub with straight stems growing in moist soil near rivers. Purplish flowers. Detailed Description

New Mexico Thistle

Cirsium neomexicanum

Salt Marsh Fleabane

Pluchea odorata

Herbaceous perennial growing usually with just one stem from tap root. and with spiny leaves. Large pink or pale lavender heads. Upper Sonoran Desert habitat on rocky slopes or at roadsides. Blooming mid spring. Detailed Description

Perennial growing in wet soil near streams/rivers. Usu. about ½ m tall. Ill-scented. Purple flowers. Detailed Description

Desert Holly

Acourtia nana

Brownfoot

Acourtia wrightii

Low growing stems often in partial shade with distinctive holly-like leaves. Pink or lavender flowers in heads. Southern portions of Sonoran Desert especially near Tucson.  Detailed Description

All of the pink flower in the heads are conspicuously two-lipped. Highly fragrant. Leaves thick, sharply serrated. Grows often in the partial shade of desert trees in the foothills.  Detailed Description

Bigelow's Aster

Machaeranthera bigelovii

Blessed Milkthistle

Silybum marianum

Purple rays and yellow disc. Leaves minutely spine-tipped along margins. Phyllaries in many ranked series. In transition to chaparral or piñon/juniper. Detailed Description

Purple disc flowers nearly enclosed by bristly bracts. Escape from gardens not usu. in desert. Detailed Description