Field Guide/Chuparosa

Chuparosa (Hummingbird bush, Justicia californica (Beloperone californica))
Image
Location
Habitat Along watercourses in deserts, below 2,500 ft (750 m) elevation
Range Northwest Mexico, Southern California and Arizona
Flowers
Description deeply divided into two lips; upper lip has two lobes, lower lip has three
Corolla 2.5-3.8 cm (1-1.5 in)
Color dull-red, tubular
Flowering February–June
Notes Flowers favored by hummingbirds
Stems
Description Densely branched
Texture Smooth
Leaves
Description Ovate, opposite and covered with fine hairs; mostly leafless
Length 1.3 cm (.5 in)
Fruit

The Chuparosa (hummingbird in Spanish) is a nectar-rich flowers which attracts hummingbirds, linnets and sparrows. It is said to have been eaten by the Papago tribe.