Desert Purple Mat

Wildflower Species Types of Flowers Bigelow's Monkey Flower Brown-eyed Primrose Chia Chuparosa Creosote Bush Desert Chicory Desert Dandelion Desert Lupine Fremont Pincushion Phacelia Popcorn Flower

Desert Purple Mat (Nama demissum) is a member of the Waterleaf Family (Hydrophyllaceae).

It is an annual flower that grows in pretty clusters close to the desert floor, which accounts for the "mat" portion of the name. In years with heavy rainfall, the flowers can literally cover great expanses of desert floor.

Purple mat is native to the desert Southwest.

There is little evidence of its historical use as a food or medicinal source. Safety suggests keeping it off the table, it will still make a beautiful garden wildflower.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels