Desert Christmas Tree
Pholisma arenarium
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Chloe and Trevor Van Loon (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Genus:
- Pholisma
- Species:
- Pholisma arenarium
- USDA Symbol:
- PHAR5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 10 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, lavender
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor desert soil
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to very dry
- Notes:
- parasitic plant, relies on host roots
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Parasitic plant requiring host roots (typically Eriogonum, Ambrosia, or other desert shrubs); cannot be cultivated without host.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI