EARLY SHAGGYTUFT

STENANDRIUM BARBATUM

Acanthus Family, Acanthaceae

Perennial herb

This dwarf plant forms compact, spreading clusters from a woody root crown with numerous stems that only reach 2 3/8 inches tall. Dense, shaggy white hairs cover the foliage. Note the short spikes of funnel-shaped flowers with 5 pink to deep pink lobes streaked with white.

FLOWERS: March–June. Short, densely clustered spikes are nestled in the leaves. Flowers to 3/4 inch wide (20 mm) with 5 wide spreading, petal-like lobes; flowers slightly asymmetrical with the 2 upper lobes slightly joined and often more erect, the 3 oval lower lobes spreading evenly.

LEAVES: Opposite, crowded on stem. Blades lance-shaped, to 1 3/4 inches long (45 mm), 5/16 inch wide (8 mm); base gradually narrows to the stem; surfaces covered with white hairs, margins lined with long, shaggy hairs.

HABITAT: Rocky, limestone, shale soils; rocky outcrops, boulder cracks, gravelly hills, ridges, slopes, and plains; desert grasslands and scrub.

ELEVATION: 2,900–6,680 feet.

RANGE: NM, TX.

SIMILAR SPECIES: The dwarf, compact form with hairy leaves and pink, white streaked flowers help distinguish this species.

NM COUNTIES: Southern NM in low-elevation, dry, rocky habitats: Chaves, Doña Ana, Eddy, Lea, Lincoln, Otero, Sierra.