Bottle Stopper Eriogonum inflatum

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