Fermina
Cottsia gracilis
Family: Malphigiaceae
Fermina is a sweet, little, mostly-evergreen vine with precious little yellow flowers with spoon-shaped petals. Flowers are followed by three-winged fruits. It grows in full to part sun. It is like a tiny form of yellow orchid vine (Callaeum macroptera) which is a relative.
Full to part sun, moderate to low water when established. Hardy into the low 20s°F.
Pollinated by oil-collecting bees. Plants are larval hosts for the following butterflies:
White-patched Skipper (Chiothion georgina)
Funereal Duskywing (Erynnis funeralis)
Found on rocky hillsides, gravelly slopes, and along arroyos from 1,000-5,000’ in Arizona, southern New Mexico, southern Texas; south through central Mexico.
Formerly known as Janusia gracile. The genus name Cottsia is an anagram of “Scott” being coined to honor George Francis Scott Elliott (1862-1934) a Scottish botanist. The species name, gracilis, means slender, referring to the relatively slender nature of the plant. The common name “fermina” means steadfast or strong, perhaps referring to the tough nature of this otherwise slender, delicate-looking plant.