Desert chicory (Rafinesquia neomexicana)

Desert Chicory

If you thought all sunflowers had to be yellow, guess again. This friendly little member of the Sunflower Family is white, although with yellow center parts. If you look at the back of the flower, you may see little strips of a dark pinkish shade.

We think of it as a friendly flower because it grows in spring near other plants. It isn't choosy about the company it keeps. You may find it with sand verbena, members of the Sunflower family or the Evening Primrose family, and even with cactus.

If you look closely, the stem is not very sturdy, and that explains why it likes to lean on other plants.