Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Cressa truxillensis is a species of flowering plant in the morning glory family known by the common name spreading alkaliweed. It is native to the western United States and Mexico, where it grows in habitat with saline or alkaline soils, such as beaches, desert flats, and playas. This is a perennial herb producing an erect stem with many branches up to about 25 centimeters tall. The clump of stems is densely lined with silky hairs and studded with many small hairy oval leaves, each under a centimeter long. Flowers appear in the axils of the uppermost leaves. Each has a white corolla with five pointed lobes surrounded by hairy green sepals. There are five protruding stamens and two styles.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

10 in Tall

Form

Mounding

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

White

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Sunset Zones

7*, 8*, 9*, 10*, 11*, 13, 14*, 15, 16, 17, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Saline and alkaline soils

Plant communities

Alkali Sink, Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian