Wright's Thelypody
Thelypodium wrightii
Observed blooming along Mesquite Wash, Maricopa Co., Arizona on 06 Sept. 2009.
Earlier, the same plant was found at Coon Creek, Sierra Ancha, Gila Co., Arizona, USA on 08 Aug. 2009. Andrew Salywon helped with identification.
FLOWERS: Spikes of white, fragrant flowers are at the ends of nearly
horizontal side branches. As usual, there are four petals and six stamens.
Blooming late spring into autumn depending on rainfall.
PERENNIAL HERB: Rising to two meters or more in height on a mostly
herbaceous, but stout stem. There are dozen or more main lateral branches from
central main stem.
LEAVES: Lance-shaped leaves are widest at the middle and are mostly
entire - without lobes/teeth.
RANGE: Occurs mostly in partially shaded, riparian habitats at the
middle or higher elevations in the Sonoran Desert. Also occurs in riparian
situations in the Chihuahuan Desert.
FRUIT: Long, very slender pods.
UNARMED.