Rockmat. Petrophytum caespitosum, Rose Family ( Rosaceae ), Rockmat. Also called: Rocky Mountain rockmat, Tufted Rockmat, Rock Spiraea, Rockrose, Spiraea caespitosa, Eriogynia ceaspitosa. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Petrophytum caespitosum is a woody-tufted perennial, mat-forming sub shrub; which may grow up to aqbout 3 feet wide. It has a very stout root which attaches and grows into rock crevices. Its stems grow horizontally usually forming mats over limestone rocks. Thus, it is often found growing on high elevation cliffs. It has gray green inversely lance-shaped leaves with silky hairs; formed in basal rosettes. Rockmat's flowers are small, white to light pink with five petals, they have long stamens which are arranged in dense clusters on spike like racemes. They are found blooming from June through September, usually influenced by the Monsoon Rains in Arizona. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping in higher elevations. Note: If you try to grow the plant; if the plants are located near a tree, the leaf litter will bury and kill the plants. Petrophytum caespitosum is named in the following way: petros is the Greek word for rock and phyton is the Greek word for plant; then the epithet, caespitosum, refers to its mat like form. Quick Notes: Height: Up to about 4 inches tall. Spreading to about 3 feet wide. Flowers: Flowers white to light pink with five petals, long stamens which are arranged in dense clusters on spike like raceme. Flowering Time: June - September. Fruit: Follicles about 1/12 in. long, 3-5, leathery, dehiscent on both sutures: seeds 2-4, linear. Leaves: Grayish green spatula or inversely lance-shaped leaves with silky hairs; in basal rosettes. Found: Native to the USA (AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, SD, TX, UT, WY). Also found in Mexico in northern Sonora, northern Chihuahua, Baja Norte, & Baja California. Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 �C (-40 �F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 �C (-35 �F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 �C (-30 �F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 �C (-25 �F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 �C (-20 �F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 �C (-15 �F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Elevation: 3,000 - 9,500 Feet. Habitat: On barren rock and limestone rock crevices. Miscellaneous: Hardy to �10 degrees F. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping in higher elevations. Photos Taken September 01, 2009. Walnut Canyon National Monument Sinagua Ruins, Flagstaff, Arizona.

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