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Description
Carlowrightia Arizonica, commonly known as the Desert Trumpet, is a flowering shrub that belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States, and Chihuahua and Sonora in Mexico. This plant can grow up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It produces trumpet-shaped purple flowers that bloom from summer to fall, attracting hummingbirds and bees. The leaves are small, narrow, and gray-green in color.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Acanthaceae |
| Genus | Carlowrightia |
| Species | Carlowrightia Arizonica |
Appearance
The Desert Trumpet has a dense and bushy growth habit with a woody stem. Its leaves are small, narrow, and gray-green in color, measuring about 1 inch long and 0.5 inch wide. The trumpet-shaped flowers are about 1 inch long and have a purple color. They bloom from summer to fall, covering the shrub with a beautiful display of color. The fruit is a capsule containing small seeds.
Care Guide
To care for the Desert Trumpet, follow these guidelines:Water: This plant thrives in hot and dry conditions, so it is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering. Water it deeply once a week during the growing season, and reduce watering in winter.Fertilization: Fertilize the Desert Trumpet once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.Soil: This plant prefers well-draining soils that are sandy or rocky. It can tolerate alkaline soils.Sunlight: The Desert Trumpet requires full sun exposure to thrive.Hardiness Zones: This plant is hardy in USDA zones 8a to 11b.
Common Pests & Diseases
The Desert Trumpet is generally pest-free and disease-resistant. However, it can be affected by spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies. To control these pests, use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Root rot can occur if the soil is poorly drained or if the plant is overwatered.
Habitat
The Desert Trumpet is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It grows in sandy or rocky soils in arid environments, such as desert washes, rocky slopes, and canyons.
Question and Answer
Q: Is the Desert Trumpet a good plant for xeriscaping?
A: Yes, the Desert Trumpet is an excellent plant for xeriscaping because it is drought-tolerant and requires little water.Q: Can the Desert Trumpet grow in containers?
A: Yes, the Desert Trumpet can be grown in containers as long as the soil is well-draining and the container is large enough to accommodate its root system.Q: Does the Desert Trumpet attract pollinators?
A: Yes, the Desert Trumpet produces trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees.Q: Does the Desert Trumpet require pruning?
A: The Desert Trumpet does not require pruning, but you can shape it to maintain its size and shape.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants to the Desert Trumpet:- Carlowrightia Parviflora- Carlowrightia Torreyana- Ruellia Peninsularis- Ruellia Californica- Justicia Californica
References
– “Carlowrightia Arizonica.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. University of Texas at Austin, n.d. Web. 21 May 2021.- “Carlowrightia Arizonica.” Desert Museum. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, n.d. Web. 21 May 2021.- “Desert Trumpet.” Mountain States Wholesale Nursery. Mountain States Wholesale Nursery, n.d. Web. 21 May 2021.
