The genus Heuchera is found in the saxifrage family, Saxifracaceae, with 80 other genera that includes the genus Saxifraga and its 400 species. Yikes!
My old (1976) Hortus Third says that there are about 35-50 Heuchera species found in North America and they are largely western. Eight species are found in Arizona and Heuchera sanguinea is found in Arizona, New Mexico and southward, of course.
Ms. Mesquitey and I always find it in rocky shady areas, like the shady side of a mountain or hill sides where it’s also moist. My ancient Kearney and Peebles, Arizona Flora (often referred to simply as “K and P” by plant geeks) says it found from 4,000 to 8,500 feet in elevation. And it blooms through the summer and into October. That’s pretty cool!
The photos are mine. The flowers are beautiful, but check out those basal leaves as well.
Well, I was a little worried, but I was pretty close on the number of Penstemon species in Arizona. There are close to forty....
Petey laments some invasive plant species and in particular a non-native grass that is spreading in the hills near his home.
I hope that this show sorta speaks for itself, but I will tell you I wrote this story and song in July of 2002...
