[Illustration: Wislizenia refracta]
Common name: JACKASS-CLOVER
Arizona desert: (_Wislizenia refracta_). Yellow. May-September.
Caper family. Size: Up to 4 feet in height.
Conspicuous in late summer along roadsides and dry streambeds, the large
number of yellow flowers and the widespread presence of these much
branched, annual plants justify the inclusion of Jackass-clover in this
booklet as one of the common flowers of the desert.
The plant ranges across the Southwest from western Texas to southern
California at elevations between 1,000 and 6,500 feet. The flowers
themselves are small, although the flower heads are quite conspicuous.
Since the leaves somewhat resemble the tri-foliate leaves of Clover, the
plant is commonly called Jackass-clover. It is usually found in sandy
locations.