For other uses, see Desert Sunflower (disambiguation). Geraea canescens is also known as the desert sunflower, hairy desert sunflower, or desert gold. It is a dicot and annual of the Aster (Asteraceae) family. "Geraea" in its scientific name comes from the Greek geraios ("old man"), referring to the white hairs on the fruits.

Geum triflorum, (three-flowered avens, old man's whiskers, or prairie smoke) is a spring perennial herbaceous plant of North America from northern Canada to California and east to New York. Some Plateau Indian tribes used three-flowered avens to treat tuberculosis.

Gilia aliquanta is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name puffcalyx gilia. It is native to the Sierra Nevada mountains and deserts of southeastern California and southern Nevada. It is a small herb producing a thin, spreading stem up to about 16 centimeters long, sometimes laced with cobwebby fibers. The fleshy, lobed leaves are each 1 to 3 centimeters long and located in a cluster around the base of the stem. The glandular inflorescence bears one or more flowers, each between one and two centimeters in total length. The base of the flower is a puffy saclike calyx of sepals which is ribbed, thin and membranous between the ribs and purple to purple spotted in color. The face of the flower is a lavender to purple corolla. The fruit is a valved, oval capsule.

Gilia austro-occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name southwestern gilia. It is endemic to the Central Coast Ranges of California, where it grows in local hill and valley habitat. It is a slender herb producing a very glandular stem sometimes laced with cobwebby fibers. The lobed leaves are located in a rosette around the base of the stem. The inflorescence is a cluster of flowers dotted with glands and webby hairs. The sepals are green to purple and ribbed with membrane between the ribs. The corolla is purple with a yellowish throat. It is a slender herb producing a very glandular stem sometimes laced with cobwebby fibers. The lobed leaves are located in a rosette around the base of the stem. The inflorescence is a cluster of flowers dotted with glands and webby hairs. The sepals are green to purple and ribbed with membrane between the ribs. The corolla is purple with a yellowish throat.

Gilia brecciarum is an annual flowering plant in the Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae), known by the common name Nevada gilia or break gilia. It is native to the western United States from California and Oregon to Nevada, where it grows in open areas in sandy soils, such as desert, plateau, and dry mountain slopes.

Showy gilia (Gilia cana) is an annual herb in the phlox family. It’s native to California and Nevada where it grows in open areas with gravelly and sandy soils, such as desert and rocky slopes. It isn’t known to be sold commercially.

Most of the leaves are arranged in a rosette clump at the base of the plant. Each leaf is made up of smaller toothlike leaflets. The leaves have an unpleasant skunklike scent and may have a coat of cobweb-like fibers on them. 

This plant grows a stout, branching flower stem around 12 inches tall. The stem shows off purple to pinkish-lavender tubular flowers in spring that are yellow and blue inside. The flowers have slightly protruding stamens with bluish anthers and produce a small, rounded seed capsule. 

Gilia cana is used as an exclusive food plant by the larvae of the moth species Schinia biundulata.

Gilia inconspicua is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name shy gilia. It is native to the western United States, where it grows in sandy, open areas such as sagebrush and plateau. This is a small herb with a spreading, branched stem reaching a maximum height of about 30 centimeters. The leaves are mainly basal and are divided into small smooth-edged or toothed leaflets. The leaves and lower stem may be strung with cobweb-like fibers.

Gilia latiflora is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common names hollyleaf gilia and broad-flowered gilia. It is endemic to California, where it grows in the deserts and mountains of the southern part of the state. Gilia latiflora adds lavender to the colorful carpet of spring wildflowers on the sandy washes of the region. The plant starts from a basal rosette of frilly leaves, each of which is made up of many narrow-toothed lobes. The stem is generally too small to notice; instead the plant is scapose, sending stemlike inflorescences directly up from the ground. Gilia latiflora adds lavender to the colorful carpet of spring wildflowers on the sandy washes of the region. The plant starts from a basal rosette of frilly leaves, each of which is made up of many narrow-toothed lobes. The stem is generally too small to notice; instead the plant is scapose, sending stemlike inflorescences directly up from the ground. Each multibranched inflorescence is green to reddish in color and approaches half a meter in maximum height. These are topped with fragrant flowers one to three centimeters across. Each flower is lavender to purple with a white throat from which protrude a long style and several shorter stamens.

Gilia leptantha is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name fineflower gilia. It is native to California and southern Nevada, where it grows in open mountain and desert habitat. It is a small, mostly erect herb with a hairy stem often coated in cobwebby fibers. The leaves are arranged in a rounded basal rosette, each leaf divided sharply into many subdivided lobes. The top of the stem is an flower cluster of a few pink to lavender flowers with yellow and white throats. The base of the flower is a thin, hairy tube.

Gilia minor is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name little gilia. It is native to the Mojave Desert and it is also present in the coastal Santa Lucia Mountains of central-southern coastal California. This wildflower grows short, branching, spreading stems to 20 centimeters in length. The leaves are mainly located in a basal rosette at the ground and are sparsely distributed along the stems as well. The herbage may have a coating of white cobweb-like fibers and hairlike glands. This wildflower grows short, branching, spreading stems to 20 centimeters in length. The leaves are mainly located in a basal rosette at the ground and are sparsely distributed along the stems as well. The herbage may have a coating of white cobweb-like fibers and hairlike glands. The inflorescence holds one to several small flowers, each under a centimeter wide and bright lavender in color. The throat of the flower is white or yellowish with purple veining and the style and stamens protrude slightly.

Gilia ophthalmoides is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name eyed gilia. It is native to the southwestern United States where it can be found in woodlands and high desert plateau. This wildflower grows a short branching stem reaching 10 to 30 centimeters long and covered in a coating of cobweb-like fibers and whitish glandular hairs. The leaves mostly located at the ground in a basal rosette and are occasional along the stems. Each hairy leaf is divided into toothy leaflets. This wildflower grows a short branching stem reaching 10 to 30 centimeters long and covered in a coating of cobweb-like fibers and whitish glandular hairs. The leaves mostly located at the ground in a basal rosette and are occasional along the stems. Each hairy leaf is divided into toothy leaflets. The small flowers have tubular throats which are purplish to yellowish and a centimeter-wide corolla of light pink lobes. The fruit is a capsule a few millime

Gilia scopulorum is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common names rock gilia and Rocky Mountain gilia. It is native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. This wildflower produces an erect, branching stem up to 30 centimeters tall from a basal rosette of long, straight leaves. Each leaf is made up of leaflets with pointed teeth, and the herbage is hairy and glandular. The stem branches into inflorescence stalks covered in black hairlike glands. The flowers are one to two centimeters wide and lavender to purple with yellowish or white throats. The fruit is a capsule half a centimeter wide containing many seeds. This wildflower produces an erect, branching stem up to 30 centimeters tall from a basal rosette of long, straight leaves. Each leaf is made up of leaflets with pointed teeth, and the herbage is hairy and glandular. The stem branches into inflorescence stalks covered in black hairlike glands. The flowers are one to two centimeters wide and lavender to purple with yellowish or white throats. The fruit is a capsule half a centimeter wide containing many seeds.

Gilia sinuata is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name rosy gilia. It can also be known as Rosy phlox. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to New Mexico, where it can be found in a number of open habitats, generally in sandy soil, and at elevations from 500 to 7500 feet. This wildflower produces a basal rosette of toothed leaves from which grow one or more erect, multibranched stems. The stems are glandular and are pale green with pinkish or purplish tinting and have a few scattered toothed leaves, especially near branching junctions. This wildflower produces a basal rosette of toothed leaves from which grow one or more erect, multibranched stems. The stems are glandular and are pale green with pinkish or purplish tinting and have a few scattered toothed leaves, especially near branching junctions. The inflorescence holds a cluster of rounded flowers, each on a short pedicel. Each flower has a long, tubular throat which is pink or lavender, often striped in white. It opens into a flat-faced or somewhat bell-shaped corolla with five lavender or pinkish lobes. Normal bloom time is from March to June depending on latitude/elevation. Its fruit is a capsule which has three divisions and holds two to eight seeds in two rows.

Gilia stellata is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name star gilia. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it is a common resident of desert washes and sandy mountain slopes. The erect, branching stem reaches a maximum height around 40 centimeters and is coated in stiff, white hairs and stalked glands. Leaves are mostly arranged in a basal rosette at the ground, each leaf composed of toothlike leaflets. The erect, branching stem reaches a maximum height around 40 centimeters and is coated in stiff, white hairs and stalked glands. Leaves are mostly arranged in a basal rosette at the ground, each leaf composed of toothlike leaflets. The inflorescence is an array of several small funnel-shaped flowers. Each flower has a corolla of five pointed lobes in shades of light pink or lavender and a yellowish throat.

Gilia transmontana is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name transmontane gilia. It is native to the western United States from California to Utah, where it grows in desert and plateau habitat. The herb grows up to about 32 centimeters in maximum height, its thin stem surrounded at the base by a rosette of lobed leaves. The glandular inflorescence bears a few loose clusters of flowers each one half to nearly one centimeter wide. The tubular flower has a lavender corolla and a purple-spotted white and yellow throat. The herb grows up to about 32 centimeters in maximum height, its thin stem surrounded at the base by a rosette of lobed leaves. The glandular inflorescence bears a few loose clusters of flowers each one half to nearly one centimeter wide. The tubular flower has a lavender corolla and a purple-spotted white and yellow throat.

Glossopetalon spinescens is a species of flowering shrub in the family Crossosomataceae known by the common names spiny greasebush, spiny greasewood and Nevada greasewood. It is native to the western United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in mountainous habitats, often on limestone substrates. This shrub forms a dense, erect clump of many thin, branching, thorny stems approaching 2 metres (6. 6 ft) in maximum height. The green oval leaves are less than two centimeters long. Small white-petalled flowers appear in the leaf axils. The fruit is a single or double follicle a few millimeters wide.

Grayia is a monotypic genus of plants containing the sole species Grayia spinosa, which is known by the common names hop sage and spiny hop sage. This plant is widely distributed across the western United States, where it grows in a number of desert and mountain habitats. It is a small, multibranched, brambly shrub generally under a meter in height. The grayish branches have spiny, pointed ends and stiff twigs. During the growing season the branches are covered in small oval-shaped, flat to scooplike leaves mostly under 3 centimeters in length. The shrub is dioecious, with male individuals flowering in clumps of a few flowers surrounded by leaflike leafs, and female individuals producing flower clusters of bright pink, yellow, or white fruiting leafs surrounding tiny petalless pistillate flowers. Female flower clusters are much larger than male and make the plant one of the more colorful shrubs in the springtime habitat. The fruit is a utricle only a few millimeters wide. The shrub sheds its leaves and flowers by the summer in hot or dry areas and becomes a woody gray thicket; it is evergreen in some regions. The genus was named after the botanist Asa Gray.

Grusonia parishii (Orcutt) Pinkava is a species of cactus known by the common names matted cholla and Parish club cholla. It is native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of California and Arizona. Grusonia parishii grows in spreading mats along the sandy ground no more than about 20 centimeters tall. The segments are up to 9 centimeters long by 3 wide and is surfaced in fleshy tubercles bearing many spines each up to 5 centimeters in length. The flower is yellowish and the fruit is yellow and up to 8 centimeters long. Synonyms. Grusonia parishii (Orcutt) Pinkava, J. Arizona-Nevada Acad. Sci. 32: 50. 1999. Grusonia stanlyi (Engelm. ex B. D. Jacks. ) H. Rob. , Phytologia 26(3): 176. 1973. Opuntia parishii Orcutt, W. Amer. Sci. 10: 81. 1896. Corynopuntia parishii (Orcutt) F. M. Knuth, Kaktus-ABC 115. 1935. Corynopuntia stanlyi var. parishii (Orcutt) Backeberg, Die Cactaceae 1: 361. 1958. Opuntia stanlyi Engelm. ex B. D. Jackson, Notes of a Military Reconnaissance 157, f. 9. 1848. Opuntia stanlyi Engelmann var. parishii (Orcutt) L. D. Benson, Cacti of Arizona (ed. 2) 39. 1950.

Gutierrezia sarothrae is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names broom snakeweed and perennial matchweed. It is native to much of the western half of North America, from central Canada to northern Mexico. It can be found in a number of desert, grassland, and mountain habitats. This is a small, dense, bushy subshrub reaching maximum heights around half a meter. The multibranched stems and twigs are greenish or tan when young and age to woody brown. There are scattered narrow to thready leaves along the branches. The plant flowers abundantly in flower clusters of a few flowers each. The flower is about a centimeter long and bright golden yellow with a center of a few long, protruding disc florets and a fringe of ray florets. The plant is toxic to livestock in large quantities, due mainly to the presence of saponins and concentrated selenium.

Hackelia floribunda is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names large-flowered stickseed and manyflower stickseed. It is native to much of the western half of North America, where it is most often found in areas which are wet during the springtime, such as meadows. This is a lush biennial or perennial herb with hairy stems reaching a maximum height of about a meter. They emerge as a leafy clump, surrounded by many smooth lance-shaped leaves up to 24 centimeters long. There are few leaves at the ends of the stems, which hold cyme inflorescences of blue flowers. Each flower has five lobes with petallike appendages at their bases. The fruit is a tiny, mildly prickly nutlet.

Hackelia micrantha is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Jessica sticktight. It is native to western North America from Alaska to northern Mexico, where it often grows in forested areas and meadows. This is a lush perennial herb growing to heights of 30 centimeters to over one meter. Its erect stems are surrounded at the base by many oval-shaped to lance-shaped leaves, the longest over 20 centimeters long. The upper stems are generally leafless and hold cyme flower clusters of bright blue flowers. Each petite flower has five rounded lobes with a smaller petallike appendage at the base of each. The fruit is a nutlet with pointed prickles.

Halimolobos jaegeri is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common name Mojave fissurewort, or Mojave halimolobos. It is native to the Mojave Desert and nearby mountain ranges of California and Nevada. It grows in rocky areas, such as the limestone cliffs and slopes of the desert mountains. This is a slightly woolly perennial plant growing many branching herbaceous stems to 20 to 60 centimeters in height. The slender erect stems bear occasional lobed, ruffled leaves up to 6 centimeters long. At the tips of stem branches are dense, fuzzy inflorescences of small white-petalled flowers with six protruding stamens. The fruit is a hairy silique one or two centimeters long containing many tiny seeds.

Hazardia brickellioides is a species of shrub in the daisy family known by the common name brickellbush goldenweed. It is native to the Mojave Desert of California and Nevada, where it grows in rocky limestone habitat. Hazardia brickellioides is a shrub producing a stem 20-80 centimetres (7. 9-31. 5 in) tall which is coated in rough hairs often tipped with yellowish resin glands. The hairy, leathery leaves are oval, up to about 3. 5 centimetres (1. 4 in) long, and usually lined with spiny teeth. The plant produces several flower heads each roughly a centimeter (0. 4 inches) wide when open. The flower head is lined with roughly hairy, glandular phyllaries and contains disc florets surrounded with a fringe of tiny yellow ray florets. The fruit is a hairy white achene topped with a pappus of many white or brown bristles.

Helenium autumnale is a North American species of flowering plants in the sunflower family. Common names include common sneezeweed and large-flowered sneezeweed. This plant is widespread across much of the United States and Canada, from Northwest Territories as far south as far northern California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Florida. It has not been found in southern or central California, New Hampshire, or the 4 Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Common sneezeweed is a perennial herb up to 130 cm (51 1-3 in; 4 1-3 ft) tall. In late summer and fall, one plant can produce as many as 100 yellow flower heads in a branching array. Each head has 11-21 ray florets surrounding sometimes as many as 800 disc florets. Distribution and habitat. This plant is widespread across much of the United States and Canada, from Northwest Territories as far south as far northern California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Florida. It has not been found in southern or central California, New Hampshire, or the 4 Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Common sneezeweed is cultivated as a garden perennial. There are multiple named varieties varying in color and height. 'Pumilum Magnificum' is a yellow variety about two feet tall. 'Bruno', a reddish brown cultivar, 'Kupfersprudel', which is yellow/orange, and 'Butterpat', which is golden, all grow 3 to 3. 5 feet (91 to 107 centimetres) tall. 'Chippersfield Orange' is up to 4 feet tall and is orange streaked with gold.

Helianthus cusickii is a species of sunflower known by the common names Cusick's sunflower and turniproot sunflower. It is native to the western United States from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, northern California, and northwestern Nevada. Helianthus cusickii grows in mountain forests and foothills. This wildflower is a perennial up to 120 cm (4 feet) tall, growing from a thick, fleshy taproot. The lance-shaped leaves reach 15 centimeters (6 inches) in length, and the stem and foliage are often covered in long hairs. The flower heads have a base of long, hairy green phyllaries. The center of the head is filled with at least 40 yellow disc florets surrounded by 12-16 ray florets.

Helianthus petiolaris is a North American plant species in the sunflower family, commonly known as the prairie sunflower or lesser sunflower. Naturalist and botanist Thomas Nuttall was the first to described the prairie sunflower in 1821. The word petiolaris in Latin means, "having a petiole". The originated in western United States, but has since expanded east. The prairie sunflower is considered a be a weed. Helianthus petiolaris originated in the dry prairies of Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, the Dakotas, California, and other states in western and central United States. It has since expanded its distribution to throughout the eastern United States and into central and western Canada. Helianthus petiolaris is now the most widely distributed species of sunflower besides H. annuus. Habitat and ecology. The prairie sunflower is commonly found growing in sandy areas. They can also be found in heavy clay soil and in dry prairies. The prairie sunflower is unable to grow in shady areas; it needs to be in direct sunlight. It requires dry to moist soil. This species of sunflower is an annual flower, blooming between the months of June and September. The prairie sunflower can be found from the Great Plains, the Rockies, the desert regions of the Southwest, etc. Morphology. Individuals of this species occur as shrubs and also as taprooted annuals. They can grow up to four feet tall (120 cm). The leaves appear alternate and the flowers have a close resemblance to the traditional sunflower. The flowers are hermaphrodite, which means the flowers contain both male and female parts. The stem of the flower is erect and hairy. The leaves on the shrub are alternate, has a lanceolate shape, rough in texture, are bluish-green in color, and has a length between 2-5 inches. Flowers.

Heliomeris multiflora is a North American species of flowering plants in the sunflower family called the Showy goldeneye. It grows in Mexico and the western United States from Montana to Jalisco. Heliomeris multiflora is an annual herb up to 15 cm (5. 9 in) tall, with a large taproot. Leaves are up to 16 cm (6. 3 in) long, with hairs along the edges. One plant can produce 25 or more yellow flower heads, each head with 12-14 ray flowers surrounding 50 or more tiny disc flowers.

Hesperocallis is a genus of flowering plants that includes a single species, Hesperocallis undulata, the desert lily, found in the desert areas of the southwest of North America. Hesperocallis has traditionally been classified in Liliaceae but until recently its relationships have been unclear. Other classifications have included it in Hemerocallidaceae or Funkiaceae. In 1972, Hamilton Traub created the family Hesperocallidaceae with Hesperocallis as the sole included genus. The APG II system includes it in the family Asparagaceae in the order Asparagales in the monocots clade but allows for the optional segregation of Hesperocallidaceae as a monophyletic family when several other families are likewise segregated. Recent molecular systematic studies have confirmed a close relationship with Agave and its inclusion in family Agavaceae has been recommended (Pires et al. 2004).

Hesperochiron is a small genus of plants in the waterleaf family containing two species native to western North America. These are thick-rooted perennial herbs growing in squat patches at ground level and producing bluish-white flowers with yellow throats. They grow in wet areas such as seepy meadows. The species are generally similar in appearance, with oblong green leaves up to 7 or 8 centimeters long and 2 to 3 wide, often coated with tiny hairs. Hesperochiron californicus, the California hesperochiron, produces slightly larger flowers than the dwarf hesperochiron, H. pumilus.

Chaparral yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei)  is a striking, drought-adapted plant known for its dramatic presence year-round and spectacular flowering display. The plant begins as a large, rounded rosette of silver-green, spiky leaves. When mature — typically after 5 to 6 years — it sends up an impressive flower spike that grows 10 to 15 feet tall in just a few weeks. The towering spike is covered with hundreds of bell-shaped flowers, ranging from white to pale purple, creating a stunning visual impact in the landscape.

Native to California and parts of Baja California, chaparral yucca thrives in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodland plant communities at elevations of 950 to 8,200 feet. It is well-adapted to rocky, dry soils and plays an important ecological role in its native habitat.

Chaparral yucca forms an exclusive pollinator relationship with the California Yucca Moth (Tegeticula maculata), making it a fascinating example of co-evolution. The moth is the plant's sole pollinator and relies on the yucca for its life cycle. The moth collects pollen from the flowers and deposits it on another flower’s stigma while laying its eggs inside the ovary. The developing moth larvae feed on some of the yucca seeds, while others are left to grow and disperse.

After the flowers are pollinated, the yucca plant dies, a process known as monocarpic reproduction. However, the dried flower stalk often remains standing for several years, creating a natural sculpture in the landscape. New plants emerge from seeds or from offsets at the plant’s base.

Chaparral yucca is also known by several common names, including our lord’s candle, Spanish bayonet, Quixote yucca, common yucca, and foothill yucca. Despite its beauty, it is reportedly difficult to grow outside its native range. However, when planted in the right conditions, it provides a bold accent in native gardens, particularly when combined with rocks or other drought-adapted plants. Care should be taken to place the plant away from pathways, as its sharply pointed leaves can cause injury.

This iconic plant is a resilient symbol of California’s rugged chaparral landscapes, offering both ecological value and ornamental appeal.

Heterotheca grandiflora is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name Telegraph Weed. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, but it can be found in other areas as an introduced species, such as Hawaii. In California it is widespread from Butte County southward. It is a pioneer species and roadside weed even where it is native. This is a tall, bristly, hairy plant exceeding a meter in height and densely foliated in hairy to spiny toothed or lobed leaves. Leaves are smaller and more widely spaced toward the top of the stem, which is occupied by an flower cluster of bright yellow daisylike flower heads. The disc and ray florets drop away to leave a spherical head of achenes, each with a long white pappus. This plant is rarely used in the garden but is a useful for restoration projects.

Heterotheca sessiliflora is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name False Goldenaster. It is native to California and Baja California, where it grows primarily along the coast, in the foothills and mountains, in many types of habitat. This is a perennial herb which is quite variable in appearance. There are four recognized subspecies which vary in morphology and geographic range. Depending on subspecies and location, it may be a small clumping or mat-forming plant or grow tall stems to heights exceeding a meter. It may appear as an annual or perennial herb. It is coated in small bristles or long woolly hairs and it is hairy, particularly around the flower cluster. The flower head contains long yellowish disc florets and the edge is fringed with yellow ray florets. Its most outstanding feature is nearly year-round flowering.

Camphor Weed (Heterotheca psammophila) is a uncommon native annual or perennial herb that grows in Southern California, primarily in the South Coast and Sonoran Desert regions. It tends to grow in disturbed or recently burned sandy places, at elevations from 0-1000 feet.

Hairy False Goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and short-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 3 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and striking, and bloom in the mid summer. Leaves are gray-green and deciduous. It tends to grow in crevices, at elevations from 1300-10200 feet.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Hibiscus denudatus (common names: Paleface, Rock Hibiscus) is a perennial shrub of the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is in the rosemallow genus, Hibiscus. It is found in the southwest of North America in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico in the states of extreme southeast California, southern Nevada, southern Arizona and New Mexico, southwest Texas, Baja California-north, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Coahuila. It can be found in the Colorado and Sonoran Deserts, and in the east to the Chihuahuan Desert.

Pleuraphis rigida (syn. Hilaria rigida) is a species of grass known by the common name big galleta. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it is widespread in scrub, woodland, grassland, and plateau habitat. It is tolerant of arid environments such as desert floors, and it is the dominant grass in some desert scrub regions. It is a bushy, clumping perennial grass producing coarse, erect stems reaching a meter in maximum height. The clumpy form of the grass helps it stabilize loose and blowing sand when it grows in desert dune habitat. The stems have nodes which are lined with long, sometimes curly hairs. The flower cluster is a series of hairy or brushlike rectangular spikelets. The grass produces relatively little viable seed and spreads mostly via its tillers and sometimes via rhizome. This grass acts as a nurse plant to seedlings of other species, such as cholla and barrel cactus, in turn receiving protection from herbivory by growing next to the spiny plants.

Hoffmannseggia glauca is a dicot found in the legume family, Fabaceae. Its common names include Indian rushpea, hog potato, and pig nut. It is a California native which prefers alkaline desert flats, creosote bush communities, and disturbed areas. It prefers elevations of less than 900 metres (3,000 ft). Hoffmannseggia glauca is found outside California in Western Nevada, Texas, Mexico and South America. In California H. glauca may be found in the San Joaquin Valley, Southern Coastal Ranges, and Western Transverse Ranges. Hoffmannseggia glauca is an erect perennial herb and can measure up to 30 cm tall. Branches are slender, growing out from the base of the plant, and have stalked glands. The foliage is composed of compound leaves with primary and secondary leaflets. Primary leaflets (5-20 mm) are odd-pinnate while secondary leaflets (4-6 mm) are even-pinnate. The inflorescence measures 5-15 cm and is glandular. Flowers are orange-red with spreading petals and are produced between the months of April and June. The fruit that develops is 1. 5-4 cm, glandular, curved, and short-stalked. The fruit may or may not be deciduous. The USDA indicates that Hoffmannseggia glauca is considered a noxious weed in Kansas.

Hulsea vestita is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name pumice alpinegold. It is native to eastern and southern California, where various subspecies grow in separate mountain ranges from the High Sierra to the Transverse Ranges and Peninsular Ranges, and Madrean Sky Islands in the Mojave Desert. One subspecies (Hulsea vestita ssp. inyoensis) also occurs in western Nevada. Hulsea vestita is a perennial herb growing a basal patch of thick leaves and stems up to a meter (40 inches) tall, but generally much shorter. The woolly, spoon-shaped leaves are gray-green and may have ruffled edges. The thick flower heads have glandular, hairy green phyllaries. The center of the daisylike head contains many long golden disc florets and a fringe of golden to reddish ray florets up to 2 centimeters (0. 8 inches) long. SubspeciesSubspecies of Hulsea vestita include:Hulsea vestita ssp. callicarpha (beautiful hulsea) - Southern California Hulsea vestita ssp. gabrielensis (San Gabriel Mtns. sunflower) - San Gabriel Mountains, other Transverse Ranges. Hulsea vestita ssp. inyoensis (Inyo hulsea, pumice alpinegold) - Inyo Mountains, Death Valley N. P. ranges, and others in Inyo/Mono Counties & W. Nevada. Hulsea vestita ssp. parryi (Parry's alpinegold) - San Bernardino Mountains, other Transverse & Peninsular ranges, Sierras. Hulsea vestita ssp. pygmaea (pygmy alpinegold) - San Bernardino Mnts, Southern Sierras. Hulsea vestita ssp. vestita (pumice alpinegold) - Sierras, east Transverse ranges.

Alpine Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum var. alpinum) is a native perennial herb that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow in moist places, at elevations from 3000-7000 feet.

Ballhead Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum) is a native perennial herb that grows in Northern California, primarily in the High Cascade Range, the High Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau regions. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 1 foot, with active growth during the spring. Flowers are purple and striking, and bloom in the early spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in moist places, at elevations from 3000-7000 feet.

Imperata brevifolia is a species of grass known by the common name California satintail. It is native to the southwestern United States from California to Texas and northern Mexico, where it grows in arid regions where water is available. This is a perennial grass growing from a hard rhizome to heights near 1.5 meters. The flat leaves are up to 50 centimeters long and 1.5 wide. The flower cluster is a narrow, cylindrical white plume up 10 to 30 centimeters long. It is filled thickly with silky white hairs and dotted with dark speckles which are the orange-brown anthers and purplish-brown stigmas of the spikelets.

Ionactis alpina (formerly Aster scopulorum; common name Lava Ankle-aster) is a species of aster known by the common name lava aster. It is native to western United States from California to Montana, where it grows in dry areas. Ionactis alpina is a perennial herb growing from a caudex and fibrous root system. It produces a short, mostly erect, hairy stem up to 12 centimeters (4. 8 inches) in height. Most of the small leaves are on the lower part of the stem. They are up to about a centimeter (0. 4 inches) long, oval to lance-shaped and pointed, somewhat stiff and coated in hairs. Ionactis alpina is a perennial herb growing from a caudex and fibrous root system. It produces a short, mostly erect, hairy stem up to 12 centimeters (4. 8 inches) in height. Most of the small leaves are on the lower part of the stem. They are up to about a centimeter (0. 4 inches) long, oval to lance-shaped and pointed, somewhat stiff and coated in hairs. The inflorescence bears solitary flower heads with purple-green phyllaries, 7-21 thin blue, purple, or occasionally white ray florets surrounding 19-50 long yellow disc florets. The fruit is a hairy achene.

Ipomopsis congesta is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name ballhead ipomopsis. It is native to much of western North America where it grows in many habitats from alpine peaks to low-elevation scrub. This is a perennial herb which varies in appearance, especially across subspecies and climates. It may take the form of a squat patch with stems under 10 centimeters in height or a more erect form up to 30 centimeters tall. The stems are often hairy to woolly. The thick leaves are usually fork-shaped with a number of clawlike lobes and 1 to 4 centimeters long. The flowers appear in a rounded, dense cluster atop the stem. Each flower is bell-shaped to funnel-shaped and white with a pale yellow throat and protruding yellow or white stamens. There are several subspecies, many of which were formerly considered species of Gilia.

Ipomopsis polycladon is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name manybranched ipomopsis. It is native to much of the western United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in sandy soils such as those of the deserts. This is an annual herb producing a number of horizontal red stems extending outward from the short central stem. Leaves appear at the ends and axils of branches. Each leaf is multilobed, and mostly green but often red-tipped, and less than 2 centimeters long. Stems and leaves are covered with woolly glandular hairs. The long stem branches bear inflorescences of leaflike bracts which are green with sharp-pointed red tips, and tiny white flowers a few millimeters across.

Ipomopsis tenuifolia is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name slenderleaf skyrocket, or slenderleaf ipomopsis. It is native to Baja California with its range extending just into California and Arizona, where it is a plant of the deserts and chaparral. This is a perennial herb taking the form of a neat clump of slender, erect multibranched stems reaching a maximum height near 40 centimeters. The leaves are narrow to threadlike and occur all along the stem branches. The flower clusters appear at or near the tips of the branches and each holds one to seven bright scarlet flowers. Each flower is a tube 1 to 2 centimeters long opening into a flat or bell-shaped corolla with squared or toothed lobes. The five stamens and one style protrude far out of the mouth of the flower. The stamens have white to purple anthers and the style has three whitish stigmas.

Isocoma acradenia is a North American species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common name alkali goldenbush. It is native to the Southwestern United States (California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona) and northwestern Mexico (Sonora, Baja California). It grows in arid, sandy areas, particularly mineral-rich areas such as alkali flats and gypsum soils. Isocoma acradenia is a bushy subshrub reaching maximum heights of slightly over a meter (40 inches). It produces erect, branching stems which are a shiny pale yellowish white, aging to a yellow-gray. Along the tough, hard-surfaced stems are linear or oval-shaped glandular leaves 1-6 centimetres (0. 39-2. 36 in) long, sometimes with stumpy teeth along the edges. They are gray-green and age to pale gray or tan. The inflorescences along the top parts of the stem branches are clusters of four or five flower heads. Each head is a capsule encased in bumpy, glandular greenish phyllaries bearing many golden yellow disc florets at its mouth. Each disc floret is somewhat cylindrical and protruding. The fruit is an achene a few millimeters long, with a yellowish pappus adding another few millimeters. VarietiesIsocoma acradenia var. acradenia - Salt scrub, often with creosote - Arizona, California, Nevada, SonoraIsocoma acradenia var. bracteosa (Greene) G. L. Nesom - salt flats - southern Central Valley in CaliforniaIsocoma acradenia var. eremophila (Greene) G. L. Nesom - sandy soils, dunes, etc. - Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Baja California, Sonora).

Ivesia aperta is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name Sierra Valley mousetail. It is native to the High Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau of California and Nevada, where it grows in dry meadows on volcanic soils.

Ivesia kingii, reclassified as Potentilla kingii, is a species of flowering plant known by the common name King's mousetail. It is native to the southwestern United States, where it is known from eastern California, Nevada, and Utah.

Ivesia saxosa is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name rock mousetail, or rock ivesia. It is native to the mountains and deserts of central and southern California and northern Baja California, where it grows in cracks and crevices in rock faces and slopes. This is a clumpy perennial herb with hanging leaves and stems. Each leaf is a flat strip or cluster of rounded, lobed leaflets. The green to reddish stem is up to 30 centimeters long and bears an inflorescence of clustered flowers. Each flower is almost a centimeter wide and has hairy pointed sepals and smaller rounded to spoon-shaped yellow petals. In the center of the flower are up to 40 stamens and many pistils. The fruit is a tiny pale achene.

Juniperus californica (California Juniper) is a species in the Cupressaceae (Cypress) family native to southwestern North America; as the name implies, it is mainly found in California, but also extends through most of Baja California, and a short distance into southern Nevada and western Arizona. It grows at moderate altitudes of 750-1,600 meter. It is a shrub or small tree reaching 3-8 meter (rarely to 10 meter) tall. It is much branched from the base. The shoots are fairly thick compared to most junipers, 1.5-2 millimeter diameter. The leaves are arranged in opposite decussate pairs or whorls of three; the adult leaves are scale-like, 1-2 millimeter long (to 5 millimeter on lead shoots) and 1-1.5 millimeter broad. The juvenile leaves (on young seedlings only) are needle-like, 5-10 millimeter long. The cones are berry-like, 7-13 millimeter in diameter, blue-brown with a whitish waxy bloom, and contain a single seed (rarely two or three); they are mature in about 8-9 months. The male cones are 2-4 millimeter long, and shed their pollen in early spring. It is largely dioecious producing cones of only one sex, but around 2% of plants are monoecious, with both sexes on the same plant. The bark is typically thin and appears to be "shredded." In the garden this plant is tolerant of many soils and requires minimal water once established. It becomes wider than tall so give it plenty of room.