Preferring gravel or sandy desert flats, the Desert Chicory (Rafinesquia neomexicana) can be found in the shade of accompanying shrubs. Its seeds lie dormant in the soil until rain finally comes then its full life cycle completes in just a few weeks. 

To see photos of the Desert Chicory, visit the San Diego Natural History Museum’s San Diego County Plant Atlas.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jim Melli, SDNHM