Flower Color: Rosary Babybonnets flowers are white and pink with yellow centers; the fruit is a narrow-constricted pod.
Flowering Season: March to April.
Elevation: Between 2,000 and 4,000 feet (610 - 1,219 m).
Habitat Preferences: In washes, canyons and dry rocky slopes.
Recorded Range: Rosary Babybonnets is rare in the United States where it is found only in central, southern and southwestern parts of Arizona. It is also native to Baja California south into northern and central Mexico.
Genus Information: In North America, USDA Plants Database lists 4 species and 6 accepted taxa overall for Coursetia. Worldwide, World Flora Online includes 66 accepted species names and a further 51 scientific names of infraspecific rank for the genus.
The genus Coursetia was published in 1825 by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, (1778-1841)
In the Southwestern United States: Arizona has 2 species of genus, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah have 0 species and Texas has 1 species. Data approximate, subject to revision.
Comments: The stems of Rosary Babybonnets are sometimes heavily encrusted with an orange-colored resin, as result of and infestation by an insect of the genus Tachardia. The large genus Coursetia consists mostly of shrubs and trees that are native to parts of the Southwestern United States south through Mexico, Central and South America.
Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock
Rosary Babybonnets, Coursetia glandulosa has attractive flowers, the flowers, their seeds and plants may be visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals including rodents and granivorous birds in search of food, nectar and protection through cover.
Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Honey Bees and Insects
Rosary Babybonnets, Coursetia glandulosa has attractive flowers, the flowers and their plants may be visited or used by butterflies, moths, flies, honeybees, native bees and other insects in search of nectar, food or shelter and protection.
Rosary Babybonnets, Coursetia glandulosa is an adult food source for;
Cincta rothschildia, Rothschildia cincta.
Learn more at Butterflies and Moths of North America, (BAMONA).
Etymology:
The genus “Coursetia” is named for French botanist Georges Louis Marie Dumont de Courset (1746-1824).
The genus Coursetia was published in 1825 by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, (1778-1841)
The species epithet “glandulosa” (glandulo'sa:) means provided with or having glands, a reference to secretory structures somewhere on the plant.
The species taxon Coursetia glandulosa was named in 1861 by Asa Gray, (1810-1888).
Ethnobotany - Native American Ethnobotany; University of Michigan - Dearborn
Rosary Babybonnets, Coursetia glandulosa is used for such purposes as described below.
Papago Other, Fasteners; Transparent, yellowish-brown gum mixed with adobe and used to make jars of syrup air tight.
See complete listing of ethno-botanical uses at Native American Ethnobotany, University of Michigan, Dearborn.
