Scopulophila rixfordii is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common name Rixford's rockwort.

The plant is native to the Mojave Desert of eastern California, southern Nevada, and probably Arizona. It grows in rocky habitat, including sheer limestone cliffs and canyons.

Scopulophila rixfordii

Description

Scopulophila rixfordii produces a branching stem 10 to 30 centimeters long which anchors to its substrate by a taproot. It has areas of woolly fibers on the stem but is mostly hairless.

Scopulophila rixfordii

There are small, fleshy green leaves with linear or lance-shaped blades oppositely arranged along the stem. Each is accompanied by a small, pointed stipule.

Scopulophila rixfordii

Flowers occur in the leaf axils and are solitary or arranged in small clusters. The flowers have no petals but thin white sepals with thin membranous edges.

External links

Jepson Manual Treatment: Scopulophila rixfordii

USDA Plants Profile for Scopulophila rixfordii

Flora of North America

UC CalPhotos gallery of Scopulophila rixfordii

Caryophyllaceae

Flora of the California desert regions

Flora of Arizona

Flora of Nevada

Natural history of the Mojave Desert

Endemic flora of the United States

Taxa named by Townshend Stith Brandegee

Flora without expected TNC conservation status