Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Desert Candle (Caulanthus inflatus) is a spectacular drought adapted annual flowering plant. Its most striking feature is its thick swollen yellow stems, which rise from a base of green leaves and look like candles. They can reach 3 feet in height. Small flowers appear on the stem in spring or fall and are reddish-purple.


This is a desert plant that does best in full sun and well-draining soil. It germinates readily from seed and works well in containers.Desert Candle is a great butterfly, moth, and native fly host.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

2 ft Tall

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Color

Red, Yellow, Purple, Pink

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Extremely Low

Soil drainage

Fast

Plant communities

Creosote Bush Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland, Valley Grassland

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 8 likely

Confirmed Likely

Pearly Marble

Euchloe hyantis

Desert Orangetip

Anthocharis cethura

Sara Orangetip

Anthocharis sara

Large Marble

Euchloe ausonides