Carlowrightia arizonica
PERENNIAL.  Inconspicuous when not flowering.  Forms small mats of thick dark green velvety stems with small linear leaves.  Flowers bright white, birdlike, with a bright purple and yellow spot on the top petal.  Blooms in April-May, followed by curly brown plumed seeds. In the Empires, occasional on rock outcrops and among boulders in desert grassland.  Tetramerium nervosum has similar flowers but blooms later and is taller, with cylindrical flowerheads and leafy stems.
FAMILY:  Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)