Scientific Family
Polemoniaceae
Other common names
lesser yellow-throat gily-flower
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
2-1/2 to 12 inches
Riparian
Yes
Low-growing plant, generally around 1 foot tall; stems branch from the base and most of the way to the tip; covering of cobwebby hairs below the middle, becoming mostly hairless, sometimes with glands towards the top; flowers have a sweet honey scent.
Sparse cobwebby hairs on once or twice lobed, mostly basal leaves, stem leaves reduced, not lobed; flowers pinkish-purple, bluish-purple ring at throats, yellow inside, short-stemmed in terminal clusters; sepals streaked or spotted with purple.
Habitat
Found in sandy canyons, on mountain slopes and along arroyos (dry washes with steep sides).
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1500
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Pinkish-purple petals, bluish-purple ring at throats, yellow center; compact clusters on long stalks at branch tips; funnel-shaped tube, 1/4 to 1 inch long; 5 pointed sepals streaked or spotted with purple; 5 stamen with white filaments and blue anthers.
Flower color
Pinkish-purple, bluish-purple, yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Most leaves in a rosette at plant base, stem leaves reduced, few, alternate, sparsely cobwebby; lower leaves are once or twice pinnately lobed; lobes broad at base, small spike at the tip.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, broadly ovoid; containing several seeds.
Fruit type
Capsule