The Genus Tiquilia
Crinklemats
Family: Boraginaceae
These ar low growing, mat-forming plants that often grow on limestone outcrops. There are a total of 28 species growing in deserts of the Americas from the SW United States to South America. They bloom in the warm season with white, pink, purple flowers that are attractive to many pollinators.
Plants are good nectar plants.
Medicinally used by the Navajo for gastrointestinal complaints.
Plant in full sun and always provide good drainage. Low water when established. Most species are very cold hardy, certainly enough for most of our region.
Photo of Shrubby Crinklemat (Tiquilia canescens) by CK Kelly, iNaturalist
Hairy Crinklemat (Tiquilia hispidissima) is a species that grows on highly gypseous soils in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, the western tip of Texas and south into northeast Mexico. Photo by Robert Sivinski, SEINET
Matted Crinklemat (Tiquilia latior) is found in clay or sand in desert soils in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Photo by Max Licher, SEINET
Fan-leaved Tiquilia (Tiquilia plicata) is a sandy dune species found in Nevada, Arizona, California, Baja California and Sonora. Photo by Max Licher, SEINET
Plumed Crinklemat (Tiquilia greggii) is a limestone specialist found in New Mexico, Texas, and south into northeastern Mexico. Definitely one of the most beautiful of the genus. Photo by Joey Santore, iNaturalist