Scientific Family
Nyctaginaceae
Other common names
Indian boerhaavia
wine-flower
red spiderling
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
Trailing to 3 feet long
Riparian
No
Grows low and trailing on the ground with delicate multi stems and branches. Radiates outward forming a mat of growth.
Perennial plant form and hairy fruit distinguishes from other Boerhavia sp.
Habitat
Deserts, roadsides, weedy areas, fields, gravelly outwashed fans and rocky slopes.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
5500
Flower Characteristics
Short tube with 5 spreading lobes to 1/8 inch wide. Has dense clusters to 1/4 inch wide. Flowers appear on stems at leaf axils.
Flower color
Purplish-red
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Dark green but has lighter green on under side. Has wavy margins. Leaves and stems are sticky. To 2 inches long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Egg or club shaped with and without hairs. To about 1/10 inch long.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Grayish-brown to brown