Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Plagiobothrys arizonicus (Gray) Greene ex Gray
(Bloodweed, Arizona Popcorn Flower)

Family: Boraginaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Eritrichium canescens Gray var. arizonicum Gray

Plagiobothrys arizonicus is a small herb with tiny white 3mm flowers and leaves with pustullate based hairs. The abaxial leaf surface is colored red along the margin and midvein. Plagiobothrys arizonicus grows in lower to mid elevations and easy is to recognize because its stem, roots and leaves exude a purple dye when curshed. The dye is quite persistant and difficult to wash off fingers. It is also quite noticeable on the paper used to press the specimen. Cryptantha micrantha also exudes a purple dye when crushed, but it does not resemble Plagiobothrys arizonicus otherwise.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Plagiobothrys arizonicus, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, Mar. 22, 2008



Plagiobothrys arizonicus, leaves bleeding a purple dye when crushed, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, Mar. 22, 2008



Plagiobothrys arizonicus, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Tyrone Ridge Access Road, March 10, 2010



Plagiobothrys arizonicus, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Tyrone Ridge Access Road, March 10, 2010



Plagiobothrys arizonicus, 3x field macro of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Tyrone Ridge Access Road, March 10, 2010



Plagiobothrys arizonicus, 3x field macro of abaxial leaf surface with pustullate based hairs, photo Russ Kleinman, Tyrone Ridge Access Road, March 10, 2010



Plagiobothrys arizonicus, whole plant measurement (top of plant to right), photo Russ Kleinman, Tyrone Ridge Access Road, March 10, 2010



Plagiobothrys arizonicus, measurement of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Tyrone Ridge Access Road, March 10, 2010


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