Wild Petunia
Seaside Petunia
Calibrachoa parviflora
(Petunia parviflora)
Photographed along Mesquite Wash, e. Maricopa Co., Arizona. April 2008. Notice the lint from willow seeds adhering to the sticky leaves.
ANNUAL: Low growing annual herb, partially succulent, most prevalent in
mid to late spring. Rarely exceeds 20 cm
tall, but may spread out to nearly a meter across.
FLOWERS: Pink or lavender flowers similar to those of cultivated
petunias, but only about ½ cm across. Blooming mostly April and May.
LEAVES: Leaves are
spatulate and thick. Gladular, sticky.
RANGE: Fairly common in moist, riparian habitats in the Sonoran Desert in
Arizona and Mexico. Can tolerate partially saline soil.
FRUIT: Dry capsules with several seeds split open lengthwise.
UNARMED