Field Guide/Chuparosa

Chuparosa (Hummingbird bush, Justicia californica (Beloperone californica))ImageLocationHabitat Along watercourses in deserts, below 2,500 ft (750 m) elevationRange Northwest Mexico, Southern California and ArizonaFlowersDescription deeply divided into two lips; upper lip has two lobes, lower lip has threeCorolla 2.5-3.8 cm (1-1.5 in)Color dull-red, tubularFlowering February–JuneNotes Flowers favored by hummingbirdsStems Description Densely branched Texture SmoothLeaves Description Ovate, opposite and covered with fine hairs; mostly leafless Length 1.3 cm (.5 in)Fruit The Chuparosa (hummingbird in Spanish) is a nectar-rich flowers which attracts hummingbirds, linnets and sparrows. It is said to have been eaten by the Papago tribe.