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 on the surface.
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.
Around Las Vegas, look for this species at Lake Mead National Recreation Area and in Gold Butte National Monument.
Family: Loasa (Loasaceae).
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