Plants sometimes mat-forming, to 0.6 dm; roots elongate, woody. Stems spreading-ascending, branching, sometimes suffrutescent. Leaves sessile; blade subterete, to 1.5 cm. Inflorescences cymulose or often only 1-flowered, usually slightly overtopping leaves; peduncle not scapelike, sometimes rudimentary, to 0.3 cm. Flowers: sepals deciduous, oval to orbiculate, to 4 mm; petals rose, lavender, or rarely white, obovate, to 10 mm; stamens 20–25; stigmas 3, sublinear. Capsules subglobose to ellipsoid, 3.5–4 mm. Seeds without arcuate ridges, 1 mm.

Phenology: Flowering Jun–Oct.
Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes and ledges in sand pockets
Elevation: 1500-2200 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ariz., N.Mex., Utah.

Discussion

Reports of Phemeranthus brevifolius from western Texas and southern New Mexico, where it does not actually occur, apparently have been based on misidentified specimens of P. brevicaulis.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.