Desert Calico
Loeseliastrum matthewsii
Loeseliastrum matthewsii (A. Gray) Timbrook, commonly referred to as desert calico, is an annual herbaceous species of the family Polemoniaceae. It is native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of western North America, where it occurs with relative frequency in sandy and gravelly substrates. Plants are diminutive, typically erect, with alternately arranged leaves to 4 cm in length, the margins bearing bristle-tipped teeth. The corolla is distinctly patterned, the lobes white to lavender with purple streaking, the upper lobes characterized by a maroon arch over a white basal patch. The species was named in commemoration of Washington Matthews.
Desert Calico
Scientific name: Loeseliastrum matthewsiiThis is a small but showy annual wildflower found in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. It grows in sandy or gravelly soils, often on open flats and desert washes. The plant usually only reaches about 4 to 8 inches tall, forming a loose cluster of stems.
Its flowers are what make it stand out: they are trumpet-shaped, often patterned with bright pink, purple, and white in a checkered or streaked design—hence the name “Calico.” The blooming season is typically spring, especially after winter rains.
Desert Calico plays a role in desert ecology by providing nectar for bees and other small pollinators. It’s part of the phlox family (Polemoniaceae), which includes other desert wildflowers that burst into color during good bloom years.