Scientific Family
Convolvulaceae
Synonyms
Evolvulus arizonicus var. arizonicus, Evolvulus arizonicus var. laetus, Evolvulus laetus
Other common names
Arizona blue eyes
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
1 to 4 feet
Riparian
No
Few to many stems from a woody base, erect to ascending; dense, long, appressed silver hairs all over; blue, white or purple flowers shaped like shallow bells. The flowers and stems appear too delicate to grow in such harsh conditions.
Woody base. Stems erect and few. Leaves alternate and narrow. Leaves and stems densely hairy. Light blue flowers borne on distinct short, slender stalks as long or longer than leaves in groups of 1 to 3.
Habitat
Found in disturbed, often rocky sites.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Flat, round, sky blue to purplish-blue, occasionally white flowers; 3/4 inch wide; has 10 fused petals and sepals surrounding a star-shaped white center.
Flower color
Blue, white or purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Narrow, lance-shaped leaves, 1/2 to 1 inch long, with no or short stems, fuzzy short white hairs; thread-like sprawling stems. Stems can be hairy.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruits are round and contain many tiny seeds.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Brown
Tiny seeds are tan to brown and smooth.