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Desert Chicory Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae

Desert Chicory

Rafinesquia neomexicana

Purity in harsh environments.

Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Rafinesquia
Native to
Southwestern United States, Northern Mexico
Bloom season
Spring
Type
Annual
Height
0.15-0.5 meters
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade
Soil
Sandy, well-drained
Water
Low
Hardiness
8-11
Lifespan
Annual

Did you know

  • Desert chicory flowers resemble dandelion blooms but are pure white with a pink tinge underneath.
  • It often grows in the shade of desert shrubs, using them as nurse plants.
  • The genus Rafinesquia was named after naturalist Constantine Samuel Rafinesque.
  • Its seeds have a feathery pappus that allows them to drift on desert winds.
  • The plant can complete its entire life cycle in just a few weeks following winter rains.

Color meanings

0

Purity

1

Perseverance

2

Simplicity

Uses

  • Wildflower displays
  • Pollinator support
  • Native plant gardens