Scientific Family
Polemoniaceae
Synonyms
Batanthes aggregata, Gilia aggregata, Gilia pulchella
Other common names
skyrocket
skyrocket gilia
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or perennial
Similar species
Penstemon barbatus
Height
Up to 3 feet
Riparian
No
Mostly basal leaves with a single stem topped by red, trumpet-shaped flowers. A rosette of leaves is produced the first year. The second year the plant sends up a tall stem and blooms.
Biennial, erect stems branch from the base. Pinnate leaves alternate and basal, deeply lobed, smooth or hairy. Flowers tubular on side branches of elongated stalks; red with yellow spotted throat and flaring lobes. Seeds angular and winged in capsules.
Habitat
Roadsides and openings in coniferous forests.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
8500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are funnel shaped with 5 flaring and pointed lobes that are mottled by a cream color. The flowers are found on short branches coming off of the main stem and tend to be on one side of the branches.
Flower color
Red to reddish-orange
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are mostly basal. Leaves smell skunky if bruised. Stems have short glandular hairs. Leaves have short hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Dissected
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Seed capsules are egg-shaped.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green turning to brown
Seeds slender, angled and winged, white to light brown, 5 to 10 per capsule.