Bladder Stem Desert Plants

• Bladder stem plants, which are more commonly known as desert trumpets, are perennial herbs and dicots. Dicots are a variety of flowering plants that consist of seeds that contain a pair of embryonic leaves. Bladder stem plants are members of the Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) family. The plants are scientifically referred to as Eriogonum inflatum. The plants originate in California, but can also be found in other areas of the western United States.

Description

• Bladder stem plants grow out of woody taproots, and usually grow to heights of less than three feet. Bladder stem plants consist of inconspicuous foliage arranged in basal rosettes. The silvery green leaves are flat and have a slightly crinkled appearance. The tiny yellow flowers feature red markings, and are usually inconspicuous except for in years of abundant rainfall. The plants bloom starting in March up until October. The stalks of the plants are inflated toward the center, directly under the branching point. The stems are often swollen due to moth larvae irritation, as larvae resides within the plant's hollow stem.

Habitat

• Bladder stem plants are native to the state of California. However, bladder stem plants are also common in Arizona, New Mexico and other regions of the western United States, particularly eastern and southern Utah. The plants frequently appear on both mesas and washes in the desert, over gravel or dry sand. They also can be easily found in lower mountains on moderate slopes. Bladder stem plants prefer slopes that are well-drained and dry.

Cultivation

• Bladder stem plants thrive when they are grown within heavy soil. Bladder stem plants are tolerant of alkaline soils as well. The plants grow best under full sun, and are highly tolerant of drought. When planting bladder stem plants, it is important to space them between six and nine inches away from each other for optimal growth.