Stansbury’s Cliffrose
(Purshia stansburiana)
Stansbury’s Cliffrose (Purshia stansburiana)
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Robb Hannawacker
Public Domain
Image By:
Robb Hannawacker
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Robb Hannawacker | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Robb Hannawacker | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-05-02T21:22:17Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Purshia stansburiana, commonly known as Stansbury’s Cliffrose, is an evergreen shrub native to the arid and semi-arid regions of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau in the Southwestern USA, including rocky slopes, canyons, and desert woodlands. It typically grows to about 1-3 meters tall but can reach heights of 4 meters and, in rare cases, up to 8 meters, taking on a tree-like form. Stansbury’s Cliffrose is characterized by its shreddy bark and a profusion of white or cream-colored flowers with clawed petals that emit a strong, sweet fragrance. The flowering season extends from spring until the first frost, with the flowers being highly attractive to pollinators. The fruit is an achene with a long, plumelike structure up to 6 centimeters long, adapted for wind and animal dispersal.
This shrub is valued for its drought tolerance, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens. It is also used in revegetation projects to restore degraded habitats within its native range. Stansbury’s Cliffrose thrives in full sun and requires minimal water once established, preferring soils with fast drainage. While it easily hybridizes with other Purshia species, this does not typically pose a problem in cultivation. Gardeners may encounter challenges with seedling establishment, but mature plants are generally low-maintenance.CC BY-SA 4.0
This shrub is valued for its drought tolerance, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens. It is also used in revegetation projects to restore degraded habitats within its native range. Stansbury’s Cliffrose thrives in full sun and requires minimal water once established, preferring soils with fast drainage. While it easily hybridizes with other Purshia species, this does not typically pose a problem in cultivation. Gardeners may encounter challenges with seedling establishment, but mature plants are generally low-maintenance.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 4-7 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Erosion Control, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to rocky slopes, canyons, and desert woodlands of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Purshia stansburiana, Cowania stansburyana, Cowania mexicana var. stansburyana, Purshia mexicana var. stansburiana, Cowania mexicana subsp. stansburyana, Cowania alba, Purshia alba, Purshia stansburyana subsp. error,
GBIF Accepted Name: Purshia stansburiana (Torr.) Henrickson