Palafoxia arida – “Spanish Needle”

Also Known As: Desert Needle, Desert Palafox
Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
Bloom Period: Feb-May
Form: Annual herb
Habitat: Sandy washes
Leaves: Linear; alternate and sparse
Translation: “Palafoxia” is named for José Palafox (1780-1847), a Spanish general; “arida” is Latin for “dry.”
Notes: Authorities say that the “needles” of the common name refers to the plant’s fruits, which have pointy bristles; I think it also aptly describes the dark pink, pointed phyllaries that extend out of the disc flowers, like needles sticking out of a needle-tube in a sewing kit.
Native American Uses: The Cahuilla extracted a yellow dye from the plant.