Scientific Family
Capparaceae
Other common names
redwhisker clammyweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
Up to 3 feet
Riparian
No
Branched, erect stems are sticky and hairy. The plant gives off an objectionable odor.
Long red to purple stamens numbering 6 - 20 exserted well above white petals growing in sandy washes. Only one species in Yavapai County. Similar to Cleome sp. However they are yellow or purpled flowered.
Habitat
Found in sandy washes and slopes. Common in deserts, plains and among pinyon and juniper.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
6500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers have 4 petals and 6 to 20 pink to purple stamens of varying lengths which give the plant one of its common names, red whisker.
Flower color
Creamy white
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are clammy feeling and up to 1-1/2 inches long.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Palmate
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit is erect, elongated and flattened. Each contains 15 to 40 seeds.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Reddish-brown
Roughened seeds are oblong.