Parryella filifolia Torr. & Gray ex Gray
Common
names: Common
Dunebroom
Family:
Fabaceae (1,9).
Synonymy:
Etymology:
The specific epithet filifolia refers to the narrow leaflets
Identification
Growth form:
Low shrub, often leafless
Roots:
Stem:
Leaves: It
has compound leaves with many tiny leaflets. The shrubs drop their leaves
in response to drought and are often seen as a collection of green stems
that are woody at the base.4
Inflorescence/flowers:
The flowers are yellowish and are aggregated at the tips of the branches.
The pods are 1-seeded.
Similar
species: The genus Parryella is monotypic, meaning it
contains only the one species.
Ecology
Life history:
Common
dunebroom is a low, densely branched shrub less than 1 meter in height.
All parts of the plant, especially the pods, are gland-dotted and, when
injured, produce a citrus-like smell.
Native/introduced: Native
Photosynthetic pathway:
Phenology:
June—September
Distribution:
It is found only on the southern Colorado Plateau mostly in northern
Arizona and New Mexico always associated with sandy plains.1, 4
Sand dunes; Lee’s Ferry and Upper Canyon2, 2700—3200 ft.
Uses
Common
dunebroom pods have been used as a toothache remedy by the Hopi. The stems
are an important basketry material and the roots were used to secure packs
on burros during salt gathering expeditions. 3
The Hopi also reported using the plant as an
insecticide.4
References
1. USDA, NRCS. 2002. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
2. Phillips, B., A. Phillips, & M. Schmidt Bernzott. 1987. Annotated Checklist of Vascular Plants of Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon Natural History Association Monograph Number 7.
3. Moerman, D. E. 1998. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, Portland.
4. Kearney, T.H. & R.H. Peables. 1960. Arizona Flora. University of California Press, Berkeley.
5. Gledhill, D. 2002. The Names of Plants. 3rd Edition. Cambridge University Press.
