Growth Form: Parry's False Prairie-clover is a forb/herb or subshrub; stems erect or spreading, stems stiff, branching, woody.
Leaves: Parry's False Prairie-clover has green; pinnatelycompound leaves.
Flower Color: Parry's False Prairie-clover has purple or deep blue flowers, either bicolored with white; flowering stalk may grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) or so; the fruit is a legumepod covered with small soft hairs.
Flowering Season: March to June, blooms from February to June in California.
Elevation: 4,000 feet (1,219 m) or lower, lower elevations (under 2,500 feet - 762 m) in California.
Habitat Preferences: Common on low deserts in rocky or sandy areas including washes, rocky slopes and roadsides.
Recorded Range: Relatively rare in the United States where Marina parryi is native to Arizona, California and Nevada. In Arizona it occurs in the central, southeast and western parts of the state; in California and Nevada it is found in the southeast parts of the states. It is also native along Baja California and northwest Mexico.
North America & US County Distribution Map for Marina parryi.
North America species range map for Parry's False Prairie-clover, Marina parryi:
Click image for full size map.
Genus Information: In North America, USDA Plants Database lists 4 species for Marina. Worldwide, World Flora Online includes 50 accepted species names for the genus. The Plant List has 40 records for Marina which includes varieties.
The genus Marina was published in 1853 by Frederik Michael Liebmann, (1813-1856).
In the Southwestern United States: Arizona has 3 species of genus, California has 2 species, Nevada and New Mexico each have 1 species, Texas and Utah have 0 species. Data approximate, subject to revision.
Comments: Common in low-desert washes in Arizona, California and Nevada.
Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock
Parry's False Prairie-clover Marina parryi has attractive flowers, the flowers and their seeds may be visited by hummingbirds and/or small mammals including rodents and granivorous birds in search of nectar or food.
Beneficial Value to Butterflies, Honey Bees and Insects
Parry's False Prairie-clover Marina parryi has attractive flowers, the flowers and their plants may be visited by butterflies, moths, flies, honeybees, Native Bees and other insects in search of food and nectar.
Etymology:
The genus “Marina” (Marin'a:) is named after the name of the daughter of a noble Aztec family (c.1500-1530).
The genus Marina was published in 1853 by Frederik Michael Liebmann, (1813-1856).
