Tiquilia canescens var. pulchella

Chocolate mtns. coldenia

Family: Ehretiaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 3.2

Chocolate mtns. coldenia is a rare (CNPS 3.2) California native perennial found in the southern desert region on slopes, ridges, and occasional washes at elevations of 250 to 600 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces blue to lavender flowers with a corolla 8 to 12 millimeters long and a flower limb 5 to 8 millimeters in diameter. Growing with low-spreading stems characteristic of desert environments, it forms compact clusters close to the ground. Its leaves are small and densely clustered, adapted to the arid landscape with a grayish-green coloration that helps reflect intense desert sunlight. The plant's compact form and delicate blue-lavender flowers provide a subtle yet striking contrast to the harsh desert terrain.

Habitat: Slopes, ridges, occasionally washes

Bloom period: Mar-May

Elevation: 250-600 m

Bioregions: DSon

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.