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Apache Plume Wikimedia Commons
Rosaceae

Apache Plume

Fallugia paradoxa

Desert resilience.

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Fallugia
Native to
Southwestern United States, Northern Mexico
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
shrub
Height
3-6 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
dry, rocky, well-drained, alkaline
Water
low
Hardiness
4-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Its feathery pink seed plumes resemble Apache headdresses, giving the plant its common name.
  • It is a monotypic genus, meaning Fallugia paradoxa is the only species in the entire genus.
  • The plant can tap water sources 20 feet underground with its extremely deep root system.
  • Navajo and Pueblo peoples used the straight branches to make arrow shafts and broom handles.
  • Each flower produces dozens of seeds, each with a long feathery tail that catches the desert wind for dispersal.

Color meanings

0

adaptability

1

resilience

2

natural beauty

Uses

  • xeriscaping
  • erosion control
  • native plant restoration
  • ornamental desert landscaping