X: Xylorhiza tortifolia

From April through June, look for the purple daisy-like petal blooms of the Mojave aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia) at Red Rock Canyon along dry and rocky slopes. Botanists have counted up to 60 ray petals per flower head! The stems and leaves of this plant are hairy, especially at the base. Desert checkerspot (Charidryras neumoegeni) caterpillars munch on the nectar of Mojave aster before transforming into butterflies.

Start typing and press Enter to search