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Apache-beads

Anemopsis californica

perennial herb View on Calscape

Care

Sun

part shade, full sun

Water

moderate

Soil

Medium, Slow, Standing; Tolerant of almost any soil as long as it remains constantly moist.

Size

0–1ft tall , 2–2ft wide

Bloom

Jan-Dec

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Container

Friendly

Edible

Roots eaten raw or cooked; traditionally used as food by Indigenous peoples

Native Range

Southeastern California in Imperial and Riverside counties, below 500 ft elevation, in desert wetlands and hot springs, extending to Arizona and Mexico

Care Guide

Planting

Plant Apache-beads in a consistently moist location - ideally near a streambed, seep, or other damp area where soil stays wet year-round. It thrives in part shade to full sun and tolerates almost any soil type as long as drainage is medium to slow and moisture is constant; standing water is fine. Space plants with room to spread, as they carpet-like growth can overtake neighboring plants. Plant in late winter or early spring before active growth begins.

After Planting

Water consistently to keep soil moist throughout the growing season; don't let it dry out. Expect the plant to go completely dormant and disappear from late summer through early winter - this is normal, and it will re-sprout from the roots in late winter. Once established, this hardy plant requires minimal maintenance and needs no pruning. The #1 mistake is underwatering: this plant will fail if allowed to dry out, so plant it where it naturally stays damp rather than relying on hand-watering.

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