Rockmat, Petrophytum caespitosum.
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| Rockmat, Petrophytum caespitosum. |
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| Rockmat, Petrophytum caespitosum. |
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| Rockmat, Petrophytum caespitosum. |
Rockmat Petrophytum caespitosum is a woody-tufted perennial, mat-forming sub shrub; which may grow up to aqbout 3 feet wide. It has a very stout root which attaches and grows into rock crevices. Its stems grow horizontally usually forming mats over limestone rocks. Thus, it is often found growing on high elevation cliffs. It has gray green inversely lance-shaped leaves with silky hairs; formed in basal rosettes. Rockmat's flowers are small, white to light pink with five petals, they have long stamens which are arranged in dense clusters on spike like racemes. They are found blooming from June through September, usually influenced by the Monsoon Rains in Arizona. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping in higher elevations. Note: If you try to grow the plant; if the plants are located near a tree, the leaf litter will bury and kill the plants. Petrophytum caespitosum is named in the following way: petros is the Greek word for rock and phyton is the Greek word for plant; then the epithet, caespitosum, refers to its mat like form.
Height: Up to about 4 inches tall. Spreading to about 3 feet wide.
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