Xylorhiza tortifolia

Xylorhiza tortifolia
Plant in Joshua Tree National Park

Apparently Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Xylorhiza
Species:
X. tortifolia
Binomial name
Xylorhiza tortifolia
Synonyms
  • Aster abatus S.F.Blake
  • Aster mohavensis J.M.Coult.
  • Aster orcuttii
  • Machaeranthera orcuttii

Xylorhiza tortifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, known by the common names Mojave-aster and Mojave woodyaster. The plant forms a small shrub with glandular leaves. The flower rays can be lavender, light blue, or white. Some varieties are known.

Native to southwestern North America, the plant can be found in deserts and washes. The Havasupai found uses for its fragrance.