[Illustration: Heliotropium curassavicum]
Common names: WILD-HELIOTROPE, QUAILPLANT, CHINESE-PUSLEY
Arizona, California and Texas deserts: (_Heliotropium curassavicum_).
Purple. March-April.
Borage family. Size: Spreading, weak stems up to 18 inches.
Widely distributed on salty and alkaline soils throughout the warmer
parts of the Western Hemisphere, there are several species and varieties
of Wild-heliotrope. The flowers, which are almost white, shading to a
pale purple in the corolla throat, open as the spike uncoils, perfuming
the desert air with their fragrance. The name “Pusley” which is applied
to this plant in some localities is possibly a corruption of “Purslane.”
Pima Indians are reported to powder the dried roots of these plants,
applying the dust to wounds or sores. The name “Wild-heliotrope” is also
applied to another desert flower, _Phacelia crenulata_ (which see),
causing no little confusion.