Eriogonum inflatum aka Desert Trumpet

Eriogonum inflatum has the common name desert trumpet. It belongs to the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. It grows wild in the southwestern United States. Its range spans northwestern Mexico and reaches Chihuahua in Mexico. Most plants live for one year, as annuals. Some live for several seasons, helped by deep roots. It grows in desert washes, grasslands, flats, and slopes. At higher sites, it grows among sagebrush, pinyon, and juniper.

The plant has one or more upright stems that branch. Each bare stem swells just below its branches. These swollen parts give the plant its common name. Most stems feel smooth, but their bases may have hairs. Young stems can look white at first. They then turn reddish brown and later green. Small leaves form a basal rosette, flat against the soil. This is a ring of leaves at the plant's base. Leaf blades range from spoon-shaped to oval. Their edges have shallow curves, like scallops. The leaves look crinkled and can be green or gray-green.

Tiny flowers can bloom at any time of year. Rain can bring a much larger show of blooms. The greenish-yellow blooms form groups called cymes. Each flower has a shape like a star. Coarse hairs coat the outside of each bloom. Long stamens reach past the flower tube. Butterflies visit the blooms, and desert wildlife feed on their nectar. Each fruit is a small, brown, three-sided achene. Seeds serve as more food for life in the desert.

Give desert trumpet full sun and soil that drains well. It suits sand, gravel, or rock, and alkaline desert soils. Once growing, it copes with drought and very dry soil. Damp air does not suit it. This includes the high humidity of the southeastern United States. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 8–11. Gardeners can grow it from seed, though few grow it. Its odd stems add interest to naturalized desert and rock gardens. It also suits plantings for butterflies and other pollinators. NC State reports that it needs little care. That source lists no major pest or disease problems.

Young stems are edible, juicy, and tart. Older stems grow tough with fibres and lose their food value. PFAF also lists roots, leaves, and seeds as edible. The leaves can taste bitter and feel dry. Stems contain oxalic acid, so eat them in small amounts. Take extra care if you are prone to kidney stones. Native Americans used dried, swollen stems as pipes for tobacco. People have also used hollow stems as drinking tubes. PFAF records a lotion used in the past for animal bites. This does not prove that it has medical value.