Justicia californica (Brown-eyed primrose) ( )

This sprawling, pale-stemmed shrub produces enough red flowers early in the spring to cause territorial battles among Anna's, Costa's, and black-chinned hummingbirds. The tubular flowers bloom profusely, and tide most hummers over in the winter until other plants begin to bloom. Frequenting the sand and gravel washes skirting low desert mountain ranges, chuparosa always grows below 2,500 feet. Its bloom time extends from late August through June, depending upon the locality. "Arizona Highways Presents Desert Wildflowers, 1988".