Status: Native
Synonyms:
Fallugis paradoxa (D. Don) Endlicher ex Torrey var. acuminata Wooton
Fallugis micrantha Cockerell
Sieversia paradoxa D. Don
Fallugia paradoxa is a lower to middle elevation shrub of dry habitats. The flowers bear five white petals
and dozens of stamens. The achenes have a long twisted hairy red style or "plume." The plume presumably aids in wind dispersal of the seeds.
Large stands of Fallugia paradoxa can be seen alongside roads and on the sides of canyons.
It looks similar to another member of the Rosaceae, Purshia stansburiana. Purshia has a much more obvious trunk than Fallugia.
However, the flowers on Fallugia are larger and their pedicels are longer than on Purshia.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Fallugia paradoxa, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Blackhawk Canyon, May 5, 2007
Fallugia paradoxa, closeup of plumes, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Rte 90 near Jack's Peak, May 30, 2007
Fallugia paradoxa, macro of leaves, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, Nov. 25, 2008
Fallugia paradoxa, 2x macro of seed and plume, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Dec. 26, 2008
Fallugia paradoxa, plumes, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Engineer Canyon, Dec. 29, 2008
Fallugia paradoxa, detail of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, April 20, 2009
Fallugia paradoxa, longitudinally bissected flower demonstrating sepals, petals and stamens all inserting onto hypanthium with perigynous insertion and superior ovary, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, October 23, 2018
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