Description

Apache plume is native to the Southwest and northern Mexico. In California it is found primarily in the eastern portion of San Bernardino County. Although a desert native, apache plume does quite well in a variety of settings as long as it is given soil of adequate drainage and mostly sun. Apache plume grows in a vase or open form with small finely dissected leaves and peeling gray bark. Bright white flowers appear in early spring, reminders that Fallugia paradoxa is in the Rose family. These make way for seed pods, each with numerous long feathery extensions attached to the developing seeds. The “plumes” are faintly red in color and can cover the plant for many weeks. Apache plume does well in the coastal environment of Santa Clara County (Sunset zones 15, 16 and 17).