Eriophyllum wallacei
Wallace's woollydaisy
Overview
Eriophyllum wallacei is a small desert annual in the daisy family, forming a low tuft 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) tall and about as wide. The whole plant is densely covered in white woolly hairs, giving the gray-green leaves a felted look that reflects sunlight and reduces water loss. Small daisy-like flower heads about 0.25-0.5 inch (6-12 mm) across open singly on short stalks, each with yellow (occasionally cream) ray florets around a yellow center. It germinates with autumn and winter rains and flowers from March to June across the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, growing on sandy and gravelly flats, washes, and open desert slopes. In dry years plants stay tiny and set only a few flowers; in wet years they cover ground in broad sheets of bloom. As a winter annual it completes its life cycle in a single season, dying after seed set. It tolerates intense sun, heat, and drought but needs sharp drainage and fails in heavy, wet soils. The woolly coating and minute stature separate it from larger desert daisies.
Native Range
Eriophyllum wallacei is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States, including California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, and into northern Mexico. It grows on sandy and gravelly flats, desert washes, and open slopes, mainly in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts.Suggested Uses
Eriophyllum wallacei is used in desert wildflower plantings, rock gardens, and gravel gardens in arid climates. It is sown 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) apart in drifts for spring color. It is suited only to hot, dry, sharply drained sites.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 4"
Width/Spread1" - 4"
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from March to June, triggered by autumn and winter rainfall. In years with good rain, plants bloom for six weeks or more; in dry years bloom is sparse and brief. Each plant carries many small yellow heads in succession.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Gray-green, densely white-woollyGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Eriophyllum wallacei grows in full sun in sandy or gravelly, sharply drained soil with a pH from about 6.5 to 8.5. As a desert winter annual it needs little water once seedlings are established and rots in heavy, wet ground. Seed is sown in autumn to early winter where plants are to grow, matching the natural germination cue of cool-season rain. No fertilizer is needed in lean mineral soils. Plants die after setting seed but self-sow where drainage and sun are adequate. It withstands heat and drought but does not persist in irrigated, poorly drained beds.Pruning
Eriophyllum wallacei needs no pruning as a small annual. Spent plants can be cleared at the end of the season, leaving some to set seed for a self-sowing stand. No deadheading is required for continued bloom.✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
Autumn to early winter in desert regions for spring bloom
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Plant Spacing
4 inches