Mexican Cliff Rose
Purshia stansburyana
Cowania mexicana
Found at Sunnyside Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA. 01 September 2012.
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Pine Mountain Wilderness, Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA. 20 April 2020.
LEAVES: Small, evergreen leaves are 3- to 5-lobed and are shiny, resinous. Crushed foliage emits terpene-like aroma.
FLOWERS: White or cream-colored flowers with five petals and numerous yellow stamens at center. Photo lower left.
SHRUB: Mature shrubs can be two meters wide and three high. Intricate branches are stiff, but unarmed.
RANGE: Frequent in many canyons and slopes often in dense stands. Patchy distribution across southwestern USA and northern Mexico.
FRUIT: The five or so free carpels from each flower develop long, conspicuous plumes.
UNARMED: No spines.
Rosaceae -- Rose Family
More Information:
- Southwest Environmental Information Network
- Fireflyforest - Tucson
- USDA Plant Profile
- Southwest Desert Flora
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search