Nyctaginia capitata
(Devil’s Bouquet)
Nyctaginia capitata, The Nature Conservancy, Marathon, Brewster Co. 5282
Nyctaginia capitata, The Nature Conservancy, Marathon, Brewster Co. 5295
Nyctaginia capitata, Bald Eagle Camping Area, San Angelo State Park, Tom Green Co. 1054
Nyctaginia capitata, Bald Eagle Camping Area, San Angelo State Park, Tom Green Co. 1052
Nyctaginia capitata, Bald Eagle Camping Area, San Angelo State Park, Tom Green Co. 0993
| Scientific Name | Nyctaginia capitata | USDA PLANTS Symbol | NYCA |
| Common Name | Devil's Bouquet, Scarlet Muskflower | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 19602 |
| Family | Nyctaginaceae (Four O'clock) | SEINet Reference |
Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Dry sandy soils, caliche or loam in grasslands, shrublands and along roadsides. Plant: Low, sprawling perennial from the crown of a thick taproot; multiple stout branching stems, 4 to 36 inches long. Leaves: Thick, somewhat fleshy opposite blades, oval to ovate-deltoid or narrowly triangular, 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches long and 1/4 to 2-1/8 inches wide; on petioles 3/8 to 3 inches long; edges sinuate and undulate, often finely curled, upper surface smooth or somewhat sticky/hairy, lower surface smooth. Inflorescence: Clusters (umbels) of 8 to 15 showy red, deep pink, or orange-red flowers; clusters are 1-1/2 to 3 inches across on peduncles 3/4 to 5-1/2 inches long; each blossom (actually the calyx rather than a corolla) is funnel-shaped with 5 flaring lobes; 5 to 8 long, protruding stamens Bloom Period: March to November. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country" by Marshall Enquist, Flora of North America and Chihuahuan Desert Plants. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024