Mojave Stinkweed
ExplorePlants
Mojave Stinkweed
cleomella obtusifolia
The Mojave Stinkweed is a fascinating desert survivor that brings vibrant bursts of color to some of North America's harshest environments. Native to the arid washes and alkaline flats of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, this annual plant is distinguished by its pungent, musky aroma, which acts as a natural deterrent against herbivores. Despite its less-than-pleasant scent, it plays a vital ecological role, providing critical nectar for desert pollinators during the scorching summer months.
Habitat: Typically found in highly alkaline desert flats, dry lake basins, sandy washes, and disturbed desert soils of the southwestern United States.
Appearance
Mojave Stinkweed is a low-growing, highly branched annual herb typically reaching 10 to 45 centimeters in height, forming sprawling, rounded clumps. It features fleshy, light-green leaves divided into three small, rounded leaflets. Its most striking feature is the dense clusters of bright yellow to gold flowers with protruding, long stamens that give them a delicate, spidery appearance, followed by distinct, fan-shaped seed capsules.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBrassicalesFamilyCleomaceaeGenusCleomella
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its pungent odor, which earns it the 'stinkweed' moniker, is due to the same mustard oil compounds found in wasabi and horseradish.
The distinctive fan-shaped seed pods swing outward on long, thin stalks, which helps the desert wind shake and disperse the seeds.
While most desert wildflowers disappear by May, the Mojave Stinkweed can continue to bloom and thrive through the triple-digit heat of July and August.
Special abilities
Ability
Chemical Defense System
Produces pungent glucosinolates (mustard oils) that emit a strong, unpleasant odor to deter hungry desert herbivores.
Ability
Alkaline Soil Tolerance
Possesses specialized physiological adaptations that allow it to thrive in saline and highly alkaline soils where other plants cannot survive.
Ability
Arid Heat Blooming
Capable of blooming and producing seeds during the extreme heat of mid-to-late summer when most other desert annuals have withered.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-45 cm
- Weight
- 0.05-0.3 kg
- Lifespan
- 1 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photoautotrophic plant, it manufactures its own energy from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil minerals
Ecological connections
host plant
Checkered White
Pontia protodice
The caterpillars of this butterfly feed on the leaves and flowers, utilizing the plant's chemical compounds for defense.
eaten by
Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizii
This tortoise occasionally feeds on the fleshy foliage and flowers of the stinkweed in desert washes.
eaten by
Rough Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex rugosus
These desert ants harvest and consume the oil-rich seeds dropped by the plant.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Collections for this object will appear here as more themes are added.
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Mojave Stinkweed?
The easiest way to identify Mojave Stinkweed is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Mojave Stinkweed?
10-45 cm
How much does Mojave Stinkweed weigh?
0.05-0.3 kg
How long does Mojave Stinkweed live?
1 years
What does Mojave Stinkweed eat?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it manufactures its own energy from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis.
Where is Mojave Stinkweed usually found?
Typically found in highly alkaline desert flats, dry lake basins, sandy washes, and disturbed desert soils of the southwestern United States.
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpg&width=800)
