Janusia gracilis
DECIDUOUS SHRUB.  An odd, semi-woody plant from a mostly tropical family.  Clusters of wiry, woody stems grow trailing, tangled, vinelike branches.  Entire plant is slighly silky hairy.  Leaves are long and narrow, very dark green.  Flowers bright yellow, about 1 cm., April-October.  Seeds winged, red, quickly ripening and falling.  Some growth in spring after wet winters, but most growth occurs after summer rains.  In the Empires, occasional on low hills, often in heavy gravel.  Very common west of the Empires on the bajada north of Mount Fagan.
FAMILY:  Malpighiaceae