Indigo Bush

An indigo bush in full flower is one of the most striking plants of the desert spring. The deep purple flowers are tiny, but when they cover the branches of this shrub, the effect is always a show-stopper.

In early spring, bees come to the indigo bush to gather pollen. Often, an indigo bush puts forth a gentle fragrance that is well worth sniffing around for. In late spring, the flowers disappear, leaving only the red fruit. At this time, the shrubs may fall victim to rough chaparral dodder, Cuscuta californica var. papillosa, a sticky parasite.