About Nicolletia occidentalis A.Gray
Nicolletia occidentalis is a perennial herb adapted to desert environments, with a skeleton-like appearance. Its narrow, fleshy leaves each end in a bristle, and bear large oil glands that exude a strong, unpleasant scent. The plant grows from a deep taproot rooted in desert sand, and its stem is sometimes surrounded by a depression in the sand; this characteristic is the origin of its common name. Nicolletia occidentalis produces showy flowers, which have curving bright pink ray florets and yellow centers.
