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Anisacanthus thurberi

Desert honeysuckle or Chuparosa

You’ll see hummers on the rusty-orange flowers, and this native is also the larval foodplant of the Elada Checkerspot.

A thornless, deciduous small shrub, with upright branches rising from the base of the plant. Peeling bark is a natural feature of the plant. Leaves are light green, soft and lance-shaped and may be lightly fuzzy or smooth. Tubular flowers are brick red, sometimes yellow or orange. Slender seed capsules have a long stalk and when they split open reveal two seeds in each of two chambers.


QuickFacts Description Growth Forms: Shrub. Mature Height: 4 feet Mature Width: 4 feet Predominant Flower Color: Orange Flowering Seasons: Spring (mid February - April) Gardening Planting Zone: Transition zone, Arid or natural zone Water Use: Low Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun Hardy to: 20° - 25° F Planting Season: Spring (mid February - April), Fall (October - November) Growth Rate: Moderate Availability: Desert plant nurseries. Common. In the Wild Habitat: Mostly in canyons and along washes. Elevation: 2500 to 5500 ft. Native Range: Southwestern New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico.

Landscape Use: Swimming Pool Area, Hedge, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Native Plant Garden, Natural Area, Wildlife Garden.

Desert honeysuckle can grow lushly in a mini-oasis, or more austerely in a desert garden. The amount of water given during the warm season will determine whether the plant is lush or spare. In nature, desert honeysuckle grows next to washes and this may be mimicked in desert gardens. Desert honeysuckle flowers are most abundant in spring, and reappear in fall. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and has no spines--perfect for poolside, patio, or play areas. Plant where it can be seen and the hummingbirds enjoyed.

Planting Tips: Plant from one-gallon containers in fall or spring. Use ordinary potting soil for containers, or improve desert soil by turning and adding a shovelful of sand (for drainage) and some compost or forest mulch (to help the soil hold water.) A few rocks placed next to the plant will help hold water and encourage roots to grow beneath them. Water immediately after planting.

Gardening Tips: Desert honeysuckle is quite drought-tolerant. Plants have an erect vase shape in sunny, low water situations (watered deeply once a month), or they can be thick and fountain-shaped in places with more frequent watering and shade. Overgrown or unattractive plants may be cut back almost to the ground every few years (after spring flowering). The rest of the year, allow the plant to grow naturally. This native does not need fertilization.

Problems: Desert honeysuckle loses its leaves in the winter, leaving a twiggy appearance.

Attracting Wildlife

Wildlife Attraction: Birds, Butterflies, Nectar food plant, Larval food plant.
Wildlife Use: Foodplant for Elada Checkerspot; nectar plant for some sulphurs. Tubular flowers attract hummingbirds.

Names

Family: Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family)
Scientific Name (Genus species): Anisacanthus thurberi
Pronounced ah-neese-uh-KAN-thus THUR-ber-eye, named after Dr. George Thurber, 19th century botanist. Sometimes called chuparosa because of its appeal to hummingbirds (chuparosa means hummingbird in Spanish)
Common Names: Desert honeysuckle, Chuparosa
Spanish Names: Chuparosa

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