Rusty Molly
Neokochia californica
- Native to:
- United States
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,United States. Soil Conservation Service Cleary, C. W,Mohl, Hugo von, 1805-1872 Schlechtendal, D. F. L. von (Diederich Franz Leonhard), 1794-1866,Société Linnéenne de Paris,United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Kansas City District,Nickell, James Madison.,United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Los Angeles District,United States. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine United States. Plant Pest Control Branch United States. Plant Pest Control Division United States. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs,United States. Soil Conservation Service,California. Dept. of Fish and Game California. Fish and Game Commission California. Division of Fish and Game,Goodrich, Sherel United States. Bureau of Land Management,Mueller, Ferdinand, Freiherr von, 1825-1896
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus:
- Neokochia
- Species:
- Neokochia californica
- USDA Symbol:
- BACA21
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; common in fire-prone desert scrub communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid desert conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in cool conditions; may benefit from light for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI