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.

      Last modified on 30 June 2006, at 18:39