Nama hispidum

Common Name: Sand Bells, Bristly Nama
Oˊodham Name: [unknown]
Group: Forbs － Desert

Description

Nama hispidum is a small, low-growing forb that grows between about 2500 and 4000 feet elevation. Seedlings sprout in mid-winter and may grow as high as 6 to 10 inches but usually lays within a few of the ground. The plentiful purple flowers are campanulate (bell shaped), about 1/2 inch long and across, and have 5 lobes. Leaves and stems are covered with bristles, hence the common name "Bristly Nama". The leaf margins are curled under, a character which distinguishes it from a close relative, Nama demissum, or "Purplemat".

Classification

Kingdom Plantae － Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta － Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta － Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta － Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida － Dicotyledons

Subclass Asteridae

Order Solanales

Family Hydrophyllaceae － Waterleaf family

Genus Nama L. － fiddleleaf

Species Nama hispidum A. Gray － bristly nama

More Information

USDA Plant Profile and Map