Desert Chicory

Rafinesquia neomexicana

desert chicory

The Desert Chicory is a weak-stemmed member of the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) is smooth, gray-green in color and grows 6 to 20 inches tall. Sparsely leafed; leaves around the base are 2 to 8 inches long, with upper leaves much smaller.

Range

Mojave and Sonoran deserts from southeastern California and southern Texas to the tip of west Texas and south throughout Arizona, New Mexico and into northern Mexico.

Habitat

Gravel and sandy desert flats, often in the shade accompanying shrubs from 200 to 3,000 feet.

Flowers

White flower heads, 1 to 1-1/2 inches wide, composed of rays as long as 5/8 of an inch, bloom March through May.

desert chicory

-- A.R Royo

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.

Share this page on Facebook:

DesertUSA Newsletter -- We send articles on hiking, camping and places to explore, as well as animals, wildflower reports, plant information and much more. Sign up below or read more about the DesertUSA newsletter here. (It's Free.)

The Desert Environment
The North American Deserts
Desert Geological Terms