Purshia stansburiana

Identification

Gallery

Description

Native to the north edges of the Mojave desert to Colorado, Utah and Arizona. A 4 ft. high evergreen (it can get bigger if happy) with creamy yellow 1" flowers in April - June followed by an intricate mass of feathery fruits that turn the plant into an electrifying blond. Cliff Rose likes sun and water until established, then drought tolerant.The leaves used as tea, bark used in braiding baskets, wood used for arrows. From the cold this year and the range of this plant lead me to believe it will handle -30 F. It has done well in the San Joaquin Valley and excellent here in the nursery. It prefers a little summer water here and over-summers fine in our container stock. That's why I think it will do great in the Pacific Northwest and the East coast as long as you can provide a sunny, airy spot with good drainage. Use it with boulders or in a pseudo-desert garden. (syn. Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana, Cowania mexicana, Purshia mexicana, Cowania mexicana var. dubia, Cowania alba, Cowania davidsonii)