Lygodesmia texana

Lygodesmia texana
Close-up of flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Lygodesmia
Species:	L. texana
Binomial name
Lygodesmia texana (Torr. & A.Gray) Greene ex Small
Synonyms[1]
Lygodesmia aphylla var. texana Torr. & A.Gray

Lygodesmia texana, the Texas skeleton plant, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to the US states of New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, and to northeastern Mexico.[1][2] A perennial reaching at most 2 ft (60 cm), it prefers to grow on well-drained limestone soil and blooms from April to August.[2]

Description

The Texas skeleton plant has a wide, light purple flower at the end of a thin and leafless stem, typically 12-24 inches in height. The base of the plant has a handful of small leaves. Only one flower blooms at the end of each stem at a time, and it features 8-12 light purple petals with a white center. The stems bleed sap when broken which can form into a gum.[2]

Name origin

The common name derives from the bare, leafless stem that grows at odd angles, resembling something skeletal. Other names include Texas skeleton weed, purple dandelion, and flowering straw.[2]

References

1. "Lygodesmia texana (Torr. & A.Gray) Greene ex Small". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
2. "Lygodesmia texana". Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2023. Texas Skeleton Plant, Texas Skeleton Weed, Skeleton-plant, Purple Dandelion, Flowering Straw