Lynne recognized our mystery seeds from last week as desert marigolds, Baileya multiradiata.
As you can see, despite their common name desert marigolds do not look much like marigolds and in fact are not closely related to true marigolds.
They are short-lived perennial wildflowers with gray-green foliage. They form clumps or mounds and reseed readily in the western U.S. and Mexico where they are native.
They can go somewhat dormant without water, but with water desert marigolds will bloom for long periods.
Desert marigolds are a good source of nectar for pollinators like this flower fly.
They would be good additions to any butterfly or moth garden.
Do desert marigolds grow where you live?
