Common Names: Woolly Bluestar, Gray Amsonia
Synonyms: Amsonia tomentosa
Varieties: stenophylla, tomentosa
Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane)
Habit: perennial forb, herb
Size: up to 18 inches
Flowers: white , purple, blue
Bloom: Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Leaves: alternate
Fruit: follicle
Description:
Amsonia tomentosa is a short, woody plant with many erect stems rarely reaching half a meter in height. The plant has two forms, a green glabrous (hairless) form, and a gray woolly form. The leaves are oval but pointed, and about 3 centimeters long. The flowers are white with a green or blue tint. They are tubular at the base and have flat faces with five petals. The flowers often come clumped in a cyme inflorescence. The fruits are podlike follicles that may separate into sections, each bearing a seed.
An interesting fact about this plant is that it has a multitude of medicinal uses, such as a cure for diarrhea, sore throats, and inflamed gums; it is also a mild coagulant.
Distribution: AZ, CA, NM, NV, TX, UT
Seen: NV (Calico Basin)
Habitat: sandy deserts and washes
