Scientific Family
Onagraceae
Other common names
zauschneria
California fuchsia
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Penstemon
Height
12 to 24 inches
Riparian
Yes
A hummingbird magnet, somewhat shrubby green plant, often many branched with brilliant red or orange, trumpet-shaped flowers blooming in profusion near ends, commonly oriented in the same direction.
Rhizomatous perennial, leaves alternate or opposite on short stalks, elliptical with toothed edges and alike. Tubular flowers solitary or in terminal clusters, reddish to orange. Fruit is an elongated capsule. Small seeds have a tuft of hair on one end.
Habitat
Found in canyons and washes, dry slopes and wet soils.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are 1-1/2 inches long, flaring at the mouth into 4 wrinkled petals and protruding reddish-orange flower parts; each petal is notched in the center; flowers are grouped toward the top of the stem.
Flower color
Orange to red
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Elliptical leaves, 1/2 to 2 inches long; hairy, sticky, with edges finely toothed; lower leaves opposite, upper leaves alternate and much smaller.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green, grayish-green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Cylindrical beaked hairy capsule, 3/4 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule
Small seeds have a tuft of hair on one end.