Mexican Cliffrose
Purshia mexicana
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Andrey Zharkikh (www.flickr.com) from Salt Lake City, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Purshia
- Species:
- Purshia mexicana
- USDA Symbol:
- PUME
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, deer, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; historically part of fire-maintained shrubland ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best after cold stratification; may have variable germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are stratified naturally by planting them in the fall in a thin layer of sand on mulched field beds. Stratification lasts 1 to 2 months. Wet tumbling is beneficial, which involves putting the seeds in a rubber-lined rock tumbler jar with tap water. The water is changed daily to remove any inhibitors that may have leached out.
Establishment: Seeds are collected during fall months and are kept separated according to site, elevation and source. The seeds must be transplanted soon after germination before radicle elongates. Some species may benefit from a rigorous imbibition treatment and/or leaching of germination inhibitors.
Source: npn.rngr.net