Scientific Family
Onagraceae
Synonyms
Calylophus hartwegii , Calylophus hartwegii, Galpinsia lavandulifolia, Oenothera lavandulifolia, O. lavandulifolia var. glandulosa
Other common names
Lavender-Leaf Sundrops
lavendarleaf eveningprimrose
lavender calylophus
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3 to 12 inches
Riparian
No
Multiple stemmed plants crowded with narrow leaves forming mounds covered with bright yellow flowers; flower buds have purple stripes and are sometimes predominantly purple.
Low, tufted perennial. Stem tips ascending, few to many; stems and leaves grayish with dense velvety soft hairs. Flowers bloom at night, bright lemon yellow, 4, large, fringed petals, disc-shaped stigmas, enlarged tube below petals 1 to 2 inches long.
Habitat
Dry, open, rocky slopes and flats.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
7500
Flower Characteristics
Solitary flowers, 1 to 2 inches wide; floral tubes 1 to 2-1/2 inches long; 4 sepals, often with purple marginal stripes; 4 yellow, crinkled petals 1/2 to 1 inch long, fading to pink or purplish; 8 stamens; stigma disc-shaped, 4-lobed.
Flower color
Yellow fading to pink or purplish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Gray, hairy stems crowded with narrow leaves that attach alternately. Leaves narrow to narrowly lanced, 1/4 to 2 inches long, less than 1/4 inch wide, growing against the stem; hairy with smooth but wavy margins.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Narrow and cylindrical, 1/2 to 1 inch long, 4-celled.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Brown
Many small brown seeds.