About Hedeoma nana (Torr.) Briq.
Hedeoma nana (Torr.) Briq. is a perennial herb, which is occasionally woody at the base. It typically grows 10–25 cm tall, and often branches from its base to produce wiry stems. Its leaves are small, opposite, and finely glandular; sometimes they release a mild minty fragrance when crushed. Flowers grow in small clusters at the leaf axils, and have tubular corollas that are usually blue-purple or pinkish. Across most of this species' range, blooming occurs from spring through fall. This species is native to the southwestern and south-central United States, including Arizona, California (especially the Mojave and other desert regions), Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah, and its range extends into northeastern Mexico. It typically grows on rocky calcareous slopes, in desert scrub, pinyon-juniper woodland, and other open, dry habitats, at elevations ranging from low valleys to mountainous regions. As a member of the mint family, Hedeoma nana produces nectar-rich flowers that attract a wide variety of insects. It is adapted to dry conditions, and often contributes to the floral diversity of desert and semi-arid plant communities.
