The Genus Ayenia
Family: Malvaceae
in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It includes 216 species of subshrubs, shrubs, small trees, and lianas. They are native to the tropical Americas and southwestern United States, tropical Africa, and tropical Asia.
Our plants are small perennial plants that while not being particularly showy (the flowers are very small) they are interesting and important ecologically.
Being a mallow, these plants are used by many butterfly and moth species, especially skippers. Specifically this genus is important to the Common Streaky-Skipper (Celotes nessus). This genus of plants is eaten by tortoises.
The Genus Ayenia is named for Louis de Noailles (1713-1793) the Duke of d-Ayen.
California Ayenia
Ayenia compacta
Perennial plant growing just over a foot tall and a bit wider than tall. Plants bloom in the cool season starting in September or October and persisting into April. The flowers are small and peach-colored. Small glandular capsules follow the flowers.
Plant in full to part sun. Provide very good drainage and moderate to low water. Hardiness unknown, but probably at least into the mid 20s°F.
The species, compacta, means growing in compact form
Found on rocky slopes and in canyons below 3,500 ft. across the lower Sonoran Desert into northern Sonora and south into Baja California.
Photo by Chloe and Trevor Van Loon, iNaturalist
Ayenia compacta on SEINET
Trans-Pecos Ayenia
Ayenia filiformis
Small, odd little herbaceous perennial that grows a little over a food tall and wide. Very unusual flowers appear March through October. Semi-deciduous, will go dormant in cold weather or extreme drought. More herbaceous than Ayenia microphylla or A. compacta.
Full to part sun, moderate water with good drainage, hardiness not known but should be hardy at least into the low 20s °F.
The species name, filiformis, means thread-like referring to the flowers.
Found on dry rocky to sandy slopes; 2,000-4,000 ft. Arizona, southern New Mexico, southern Texas; south into northern Mexico.
Photo by Frankie Coburn, iNaturalist
Ayenia filiformis on SEINET
Dense Ayenia
Ayenia microphylla
A slightly shrubbier species than Ayenia filiformis, developing more woodiness. Semi-evergreen, growing almost 2’ tall. This species flowers August through September. Flowers are followed by small, glandular capsules.
Full to part sun, moderate water with good drainage, hardiness not known but should be hardy at least into the low 20s °F.
The species name, microphylla, means small-leaved.
Found on dry flats and rocky slopes from 2,000-5,000 ft. in southern Arizona, southern New Mexico and southern Texas; south into northern Mexico.
Jalisco Ayenia
Ayenia jaliscana
Small herbaceous plant reaching about a foot and a half tall. Distinguished by the large, herbaceous, ovate leaves and the lack of dorsal appendages on the petals. Flowers appear August through November followed by a puberulent capsule.
Part sun, good drainage. Moderate water. Hardiness unkonwn, probably in the mid 20s °F.
The species name is in reference to the state of Jalisco where this plant can also be found.
Found on slopes, often on rocky slopes, and in canyon bottoms and among shrubs in the flats below 4,000 ft from southern Arizona to Guerrero state in southern Mexico. In Arizona, this is so far only known form the west side of the Santa Rita Mountains, and a few locations in the Atascosa Mountains. Probably in the Baboquivari mountains.
Photo by Sue Carnahan, SEINET
Ayenia jaliscana on iNaturalist