Scientific Family
Onagraceae
Synonyms
Gayophytum helleri, G. helleri var. galbrum, G. humile var. hirtellum, G. racemosum var. caesiumÂ
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
4 to 16 inches
Riparian
Yes
Stems erect with ascending branches; leaves and stems with or without hairs. Leaves erect, narrow; petals white, short, less than 1/16 inch long; capsule erect, barely flattened; stemmed.
Diffusely branched, often no central stem, hairs sparse; leaves narrow, to 1 inch long, alternate, somewhat reduced up the stems; flowers white fading pink or red, petals <1/16 inch, stigmas head-like; fruit capsules <1/4 inch, not hairy; seeds in 2 rows.
Habitat
Wet meadows, drying margins, open places in pine forests.
Plant Community
Riparian
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
6400
High elevation
7500
Flower Characteristics
Clusters of flowers in leaf axils; leaf-like bracts hide flowers and fruits; flowers open at dawn, have 4 petals and 4 sepals, sepals bend downward at flowering; stigma head-like, surrounded by anthers at flowering.
Flower color
White, fade pink to red
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems erect or spreading, reddish, branched at base, secondary branching uncommon, smooth to hairy; leaves only slightly reduced up the stem, crowded, to 1 inch long, short-stemmed; blade narrowly lance-like or somewhat rounded.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Ascending, flattened, 1/2 inch long, not constricted between seeds; grooved along midline, smooth or slightly knobby.
Fruit type
Capsule
Light to dark brown, forms 2 even rows in capsules, 14 to 34 per capsule.