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Bottle Stopper Eriogonum inflatum

Phonetic Spelling
air-ee-OH-goh-num in-FLAY-tum
Description

Desert trumpet is an annual that is native to the southwest US and northwest Mexico and is in the knotweed (Polygonaceae) family.  Although it is considered an annual, its roots can tap deeply enough to help the plant to survive for a few seasons. It is commonly called Indian Pipeweed or Native American Pipeweed due to the dried stems used by Native Americans as tobacco pipes.  

The scientific name comes from the Greek words for 'wool', which is 'Erio' and 'gono' for 'knee', which refers to the woolly leaves and the swollen joints of this plant. 

It can typically be found at elevations of 100 to 5900 feet.  In lower elevations, it's likely to be found growing in sandy or gravelly washes as well as grasslands and desert locations.  Its companion plants are typically mesquite, saltbush and creosote.  Higher locations will have this plant growing along with sagebrush and juniper.  

It flowers year-round, however, its most notable feature is the bulbous, inflated stem just below where the plant begins to branch. The outer part of the flowers is covered with coarse hair, while the stamen extends above the flower tube.  Young stems are typically white, a reddish-brown as the plant ages, finally maturing to green.

Desert trumpet is a desert to semi-desert plant and will not tolerate the humidity of the southeast. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#desert plant#perennial#butterfly garden#drought tolerant annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#desert plant#perennial#butterfly garden#drought tolerant annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eriogonum
    Species:
    inflatum
    Family:
    Polygonaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native Americans used the swollen stem as a pipe for tobacco.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    SW US, NW Mexico
    Distribution:
    AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, UT
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Larval Host
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is in the form of a three sided achene.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The tiny flowers are typically not noticeable unless a significant amount of annual rainfall will give way to thousands of these mini blooms. They are greenish to yellow with long exserted stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Its crinkled green leaves are spoon-shaped to oval with slightly scalloped margins and lie flat against the ground in a basal rosette
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    White
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Plants can have one or more stems that are leafless and swollen just below its branches. Typically smooth, they may occasionally be hairy near the base.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil