Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Perezia nana
Other common names
desert holly
dwarf desert-peony
dwarf desertpeony
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2 to 11-1/2 inches
Riparian
No
A woody root base, (rhizome) covered with thick brown short matted hair forms a platform for the stems; stems are short, 2 to 11-1/2 inches; leaves clasping, pale green, holly-like with spines; flowers bisexual, 15 to 24 per flower head.
Flower heads are solitary at the ends of branches, disc flowers only, bracts in series of 4 to 5 form a 3/4 inch long bell-shaped base below the fragrant 15 to 24 2-lipped, 1/2 inch long flowers. Flowers are 5-lobed. Stems up to 11-1/2 inches long.
Habitat
Found on mesas, arid plains, steep slopes; soils are often gravelly or silty and composed of sandstone or limestone; frequently grows under shrubs. More common in desert scrub.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
3500
Flower Characteristics
Flower heads solitary at branch ends, stems up to 4 inches long; flower head bracts in 4 to 5 series form a 3/4 inch long bell-shaped base below 15 to 24 2-lipped disc flowers, 2 lobes on one side and 3 lobes on the other, lobes 1/2 inch long; fragrant.
Flower color
Pink, purple or white
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems are short, 2 to 11-1/2 inches tall; clasping leaves resemble a holly leaf, oval to round, toothed with spines, leathery, pale green, veins conspicuous on both sides.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Pale green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
Yes
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit is dry, linear, 1/4 inch long, covered with fine short hairs, strongly ribbed, does not open when ripe; the top of the fruit (apex) has many 1/2 to 3/4 inch long silky, silvery white to tawny hairs (pappus).
Fruit type
Achene
1 seed per fruit, attached to the ovary wall at a single point.