Sandpaper Plant
Petalonyx thurberi
Drawn from specimen found at Vekol Wash, Maricopa Co., AZ. Enlarged view of flower, calyx and bract at upper left. The flowers below were at Catalina State Park, Arizona, 30 July 2016.
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LEAVES: The stiff, abrasive-textured leaves are unique; indeed they
fell like sandpaper. The elliptic leaves are alternate on the stems; the leaf
margins have a few course teeth.
RANGE: Sonoran Desert, usually growing within sandy washes. Ranges into
the Mohave Desert of California and Nevada.
SUBSHRUB/SHRUB: This plant sometimes grows low to the ground and above
ground portions are only slightly woody. A meter-tall
specimen in the Sonoran Desert would be a large specimen. During winter or
extended drought this plant may be difficult or impossible to find.
FLOWERS: The small, white flowers have a unique structure as shown in
the sketch at upper left. Four or five petals have long, narrow claws and
extending above the petals are conspicuous white stamens. Each flower is
further subtended by a triangular bract that later turns papery white. The
flowers are borne on spikes and are crowded towards tip of the spike. Mid
spring to fall. Queen butterflies may be seen visiting the flowers.
UNARMED: No spines or thorns.
Loasaceae -- Loasa Family
More Information:
- Southwest Environmantal Information Network
- USDA Plant Profile
- ITIS Taxanomic Report
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search
This image is also hosted at Wikimedia Commons and was taken along the Gila River in Maricopa Co., Arizona on 11 Oct. 2007.
Queen Butterfly
