Duration: Annual. Nativity: Native. Lifeform: Forb/Herb. General: Small, glabrous, somewhat succulent-stemmed herb, branching from the base, stems prostrate or lying flat on the ground. Leaves: Alternate, linear-spatulate, petiolate, 2-6 cm long, mostly in a basal rosette. Flowers: Small, perfect, pink or white,ephemeral, petals 2-4, borne in loose scorpioid racemes, flowers not overlapping, sepals 2, rounded, stamens 1-3. Fruits: Capsules sickle-shaped, acute to obtuse, seeds few to many, black. Ecology: Found on desert plains and slopes, from 5000 ft or below 5,000 ft (1524 m); flowering March-May. Notes: Look for this species under Calyptridium monandrum. Ethnobotany: The seeds of this plant were used as food. Etymology: Cistanthe is presumably from the genus name Cistus and the Greek anthos for flower.

Santa Catalina Mountains
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Location: Bear Canyon path.
3/16/19

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