General: Parry's Sandpaper Plant (Petalonyx parryi) is a rare plant found only on gypsum-rich soils, although on these soils, it can be locally common. The plant is an upright shrub growing to about 3-feet tall with stiff stems and stiff, thick, oval leaves with rough surfaces (somewhat like sandpaper). The leaves are coarsely notched, and they feel like they have a thick layer of gypsum crusted around them.

Parry's Sandpaper Plant is an uncommon component of vegetation communities on gypsum-rich soils in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub) life zone. Gypsum-rich soils are rare in the Mojave Desert, and therefore this plant is considered rare.

Family: Loasa (Loasaceae).

Other Names:

Plant Form: Upright shrub.

Height: To about 5 feet.

Bark: White.

Stems: Upright, stiff.

Leaves: Oval (about 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long, 1/2 to 1 inches across) coarsely toothed. Leaf surface rough; feels like it is encased in a layer of gypsum.

Flowers: Inflorescence: spike with up to 65 flowers towards the tip. Flowers: cream; petals about 1/2 inch long; stamens extent beyond petals.

Seeds: Fruit: tiny capsule.

Habitat: Restricted to gypsum-rich soils.

Elevation: About 2,000 to 4,000 feet

Distribution: Southern California to southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona.

Comments: This unusual plant is often found in association with other gypsum-soil plants including California (Las Vegas) Bearpoppy (Arctomecon californica), Silverleaf Sunray (Enceliopsis argophylla), and Palmer's Phacelia (Phacelia palmeri).