Desert Trumpets Eriogonum inflatum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- air-ee-OH-goh-num in-FLAY-tum
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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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
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
