Scientific Family
Polemoniaceae
Synonyms
Eriastrum diffusum ssp. jonesii
Other common names
miniature wool star
starflower
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
To 4-1/2 inches
Riparian
No
Plants form sprawling mounds, can be erect and simple to diffusely branched. The scientific name implies plants are woolly with hairs and star-like flowers.
Corolla less than 1/2 inch long, the lobes less than 1/8 inch long, pale blue to white. Flower clusters have long white cobwebby hairs. Leaves narrow.
Habitat
Sandy areas in desert shrub lands to pinyon-juniper woodlands. Also in disturbed sites.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
5500
Flower Characteristics
Tubular, star-shaped flower, 1/2 inch wide with 5 fused petals spreading into pointed lobes around a yellow center. Flowers are in loose terminal clusters which have long cobwebby white hairs.
Flower color
Blue to light purple to whitish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are narrow and 1/2 to 1 inch long. Leaves may be smooth or woolly above with smooth or lobed margins; fluffy woolly hairs are found at leaf attachment. Stems are white-haired and reddish-brown.
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
Less than 1/4 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule