Navarretia squarrosa
Skunk Weed
Navarretia squarrosa
Navarretia squarrosa, Skunkweed, is a unique plant found throughout the western coasts of North America from British Columbia to southern California. Skunkweed is unique in that it can be found growing in some of the harshest places in California. Walking through a serpentine grassland? A compacted and gravelly fire road? Urban areas with mistreated soils? These are places that skunkweed loves to grow. Skunkweed is often something you smell before you see. These plants usually only grow to about 5 or so inches in the wild, yet in a cultivated setting, they form bright green mounds with blue flowers poking out. Take the opportunity to elevate your landscape, or that of your neighborhood, with some awesome, ecologically important California Skunkweed!
Family: Polemoniaceae
Name: Navarretia squarrosa
Common Name / Native Name: Skunkweed
Range: Western Canada to Western USA
Sun: Full sun
Height: up to 10”
Width: 2-12”
Foliage: Sticky small serrated leaves
Flower: Forms in pin cushion clusters w/ bright purple/blue flowers
Fruit: No fruit.
Soil Type/ pH: Tolerates extreme soil conditions
USDA Climate Zones: Undetermined
Cold Hardiness:
Edible: No information on edibility is known.