Trixis californica Kellogg

Growth Form

Trixis californica Kellogg is a sprawling shrub or subshrub that reaches up to 90 centimetres (35 inches) in height.

Leaf Characteristics

Its leaves are lanceolate (lance-shaped), dark green, measuring 2 to 5 centimetres long and 0.5 to 3 centimetres wide.

Inflorescence Structure

Its inflorescence grows at the end of stems, and is typically structured as a panicle or corymb, though sometimes flower heads grow singly at branch tips.

Flower Head Features

The flower heads are 2 centimetres across, with around 15 bright yellow flowers per head.

Native Range

This species is native to the southwestern United States, where it occurs in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, as well as northern Mexico, where it is found in the states of Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.

Elevation Range

It grows at elevations ranging from sea level up to 1,500 metres (5,000 ft).

General Habitat

Its typical habitats include rocky hillsides, thorn scrub, desert washes and desert brush.

Western Sonoran Desert Habitat

In the western Sonoran Desert, it only grows in washes and among other plants.

Colorado Desert Habitat

In the Colorado Desert, it grows in creosote scrub.

Yuma Desert Habitat

In the Yuma Desert, which lies east of the Colorado River, it grows in scrub.

Flowering Period

While its usual flowering period falls between February and October, it can bloom nearly year-round depending on winter weather conditions.

Traditional Use (Smoking)

The Seri people of Mexico smoked the leaves of this species for pleasure.

Medicinal Use

It is also used as an aid during childbirth.