Poodle Dog Bush
Turricula parryi
Color: Purple to lavender
Common name: Poodle Dog Bush
Latin name: Turricula parryi
Family: HYDROPHYLLACEAE
Height: Stem 40-118 inches
Description: It grows into a moderate size, perennial woody shrub, branching from the base but with main stems extending for up to 3 meters. It has clusters (cymes) of attractive bell-shaped blue, lavender or purple flowers. However it has a rank smell. Its flower clusters and hairy stem are similar to those of many plants in the genus Phacelia, but it can be distinguished from them by its greater height.
Leaf: Its leaves are long and narrow, and may be toothed at the edge; they can be from 4 to 30 cm long.
Range: s Sierra Nevada, s San Joaquin Valley, s Outer South Coast Ranges, Southwestern California, n Desert Mountains (Panamint Mtns)
Habitat: Generally disturbed areas, chaparral, dry granitic soils of slopes, ridges
Elevation: 100–2300 m.
Flowering time: Jun–Aug
Notes: Turricula parryi, a dicot, is a perennial herb that is native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. This photo was taken on June 3, 2003 San Luis Obispo County.
We have an online wildflower field guide that is designed to help you identify desert wildflowers by color, scientific name, region and common name. The pictures are sized to work on the iPod, iPhone, iPad and similar devices. With your iPod or phone you will easily be able to identify wildflowers while in the desert. Links for downloads are on the bottom of the Wildflower Field Guide page.
Photo tips: Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a macro function - usually symbolized by the icon of a little flower. When you turn on that function, you allow your camera to get closer to the subject, looking into a flower for example. Or getting up close and personal with a bug. More on desert photography.
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What's Blooming Now - Check the Wildflower Reports
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