Arizona Bluecurls
Trichostema arizonicum
Family: Lamiaceae
Herbaceous perennial growing to about a foot high and wide, reseeding readily in the landscape. Purplish blue flowers occur July through October.
Full to part sun, definitely avoid reflective heaet. Provide regular to moderate water with good drainage, hardy to at least 15°F.
Loved by butterflies, hummingbirds, and native bees.
Photo by Gene Sturla, SEINET
Trichostema arizonicum on iNaturalist
The plant is used medicinally, internally and externally for many ailments.
Trichostema comes from Greek thrix for hair and stema for stamen, which refers to the long elongate filaments of the genus, while arizonicum means of or from Arizona. There are 19 species of Trichostemma in North America (3 species in Arizona, 11 species in California and 2 species in New Mexico).
Found in desert grasslands and woodlands, often in the shade; 4,000-6,500’ in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and south into northern Mexico.