Carlowrightia arizonica
Arizona carlowrightia, arizona wrightwort, Arizona Wrightwort
(c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Acanthaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Carlowrightia arizonica (Arizona carlowrightia) is a native California shrub in the Acanthaceae family, recognized by Primarily Mexican/southwestern US genus reaching northwestern limit in California.
Arizona carlowrightia is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native shrub found in western Sonoran Desert regions including Anza Borrego, Flat Cat, and Palm canyons at elevations around 300 meters on rocky slopes. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white flowers with yellow and maroon-streaked upper lobes, reaching 1 to 1.8 centimeters long. Growing as a multi-branched shrub less than 1 meter tall with minute erect or recurved hairs, it has a delicate and intricate form. Its leaves are variable, generally less than 5 centimeters long, ranging from lanceolate to elliptic or heart-shaped, and lightly covered with fine hairs. The fruit is 7 to 11 millimeters long and glabrous, containing small tubercled seeds with finely dentate margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Primarily Mexican/southwestern US genus reaching northwestern limit in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes
Elevation: +- 300 m.
California counties: San Diego, San Bernardino
Outside California: to Texas, Central America
Bloom period
Carlowrightia arizonica blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Justicia: Flowers less than 2 cm and white with yellow-maroon markings vs. Justicia's 2-4 cm dull red flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carlowrightia arizonica native to California?
Yes. Carlowrightia arizonica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Carlowrightia arizonica bloom?
Carlowrightia arizonica blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Carlowrightia arizonica grow?
Carlowrightia arizonica occurs in San Diego, San Bernardino, at elevations of +- 300 m..
What plant family does Carlowrightia arizonica belong to?
Carlowrightia arizonica is in the Acanthaceae family, genus Carlowrightia.
Is Carlowrightia arizonica rare or endangered?
Carlowrightia arizonica carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.