Stephanomeria pauciflora
Brownplume wirelettuce
Southwestern United States and northern Mexico
Overview
Stephanomeria pauciflora is a low, intricately branched perennial or subshrub in the daisy family, forming a rounded, broom-like mound 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) tall and wide of stiff, wiry, green stems. The stems are nearly leafless, with most leaves reduced to small scales or shed early, so photosynthesis happens largely in the green twigs. The plant exudes milky sap when broken. From spring into fall it produces scattered small flower heads about 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-2 cm) wide, each with about five pale pink to lavender strap-shaped florets that look like small ragged stars. The heads open a few at a time over a long season. The fruits are dry seeds topped with a tuft of feathery, brownish bristles that catch the wind. It grows on dry desert flats, mesas, washes, roadsides, and rocky slopes across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, tolerating extreme heat and drought. The wiry, open form gives little foliage mass and can look sparse. The rounded skeleton may break off and tumble in wind, scattering seed. It grows in full sun on poor, fast-draining soils and is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 10.
Native Range
Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, from California and Nevada east to Texas, growing on dry desert flats, mesas, washes, rocky slopes, and disturbed roadsides across the warm deserts and arid grasslands.Suggested Uses
Used in desert, native, and water-wise gardens, in rock gardens, and for revegetation of dry disturbed sites, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. Its drought tolerance and seed value suit low-water and wildlife plantings. The open, wiry form blends among other desert shrubs rather than standing alone.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Blooms from spring into fall, roughly April to October, with small pink heads opening a few at a time over a long season. Flowering is heaviest after rainfall and slows in extreme drought. The plant can flower and set seed across many months in warm areas.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale pink to lavenderFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 8-12 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun in dry, fast-draining sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil; it tolerates poor, alkaline desert ground. Water is rarely needed once established, as the species is adapted to extreme heat and drought. Rich or wet soil and shade cause weak growth. It self-sows where soil is open and can appear on its own in dry gardens. The wiry stems need no staking. No serious pests or diseases affect it.Pruning
Little pruning is needed for this wiry plant. Dead stems can be trimmed in late winter to tidy the mound. Cutting back hard is tolerated and can renew an old, sparse plant.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter