Psorothamnus arborescens – “Mojave Indigobush”

Also Known As: California Dalea, Mojave Dalea
Other Botanical Names: Dalea arborescens, Dalea californica
Family: Legume, Bean (Fabaceae)
Bloom Period: Apr-May
Form: Perennial Shrub
Habitat: Rocky or gravelly soil
Leaves: Pinnately-compound with linear leaflets
Translation: “Psororothamnus” is Greek for “scabby shrub”; “arborescens” is Latin for “tree-like,” which is misnamed since its maximum height is about 3ft (1m). “Dalea” is named after Samuel Dale (1659-1739), an English physician, botanist, gardener, and author (including of a treatise on medicinal plants).
Notes: Unique fruit has flared-back sepals at its base, an upturned point at its end, and shiny glands all over its body. Listed on the California Native Plant Society’s watch list.
Native American Uses: Native Americans made a yellow dye from the crushed flowers.
Animal Associations: Leaves eaten by the Desert Iguana and Chuckwalla lizard. Larval food plant for the Dogface butterfly (the official state insect of California) and Reakirt’s Blue butterfly, which are protected and tended by ants that eat the honeydew they secrete.