Common names: SKELETONWEED, DESERT BUCKWHEAT Arizona desert: (Eriogonum densum). Pink. May-October. California desert: (Eriogonum deflexum). Pink-white. All year. Texas desert: (Eriogonum polycladon). Pink. June-November. Buckwheat family. Size: 6 inches to 30 inches high.
Eriogonum is a very large genus, many species of which are common, and contains both annuals and biennials. Although the flowers are small, they are usually numerous and conspicuous. E. densum is often very abundant in semi-desert areas, particularly along roadsides, where it is especially noticeable because it monopolizes the pavement edges for miles. It is extremely resistant to drought and flourishes when many other herbaceous plants have dried out completely. Although it bears flowers at almost any time throughout the year, during the autumn months the branches are loaded with myriads of pendant, pearly flowers the size of rice kernels. In winter, the stalks turn maroon in color and are quite conspicuous.
E. polycladon is often so common along roadsides and desert washes as to color the landscape with its greyish stems and pink flowers.
E. inflatum always attracts attention because of its swollen stems which resemble tall, slender bottles.
PINK
Tamarix pentandra
Common names: SALTCEDAR, TAMARISK Arizona, California, and Texas deserts: (Tamarix pentandra). Pink to white. March-August. Tamarix family. Size: Shrubs to trees up to 15-20 feet high.
Purists could object to inclusion of the Saltcedar in this booklet because it is not native. However, due to a number of importations (eight species being introduced by the Department of Agriculture between 1899 and 1915) and to its ability to spread rapidly under suitable conditions, Saltcedar is now widespread throughout the Southwest.
It grows as a graceful shrub or small tree with drooping branches covered with small, scale-like leaves and is abundant in moist locations below 5,000 feet. It prefers a hot climate, low humidity, and saline soils. In river bottoms, it often forms dense thickets which require immense quantities of water, hence rob the few desert streams of a high percentage of their moisture.