Scientific Family
Polemoniaceae
Synonyms
Gilia multiflora
Other common names
many-flower gilia
manyflowered gilia
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Ipomopsis aggregata, Ipomopsis longiflora
Height
20 inches
Riparian
No
A short lived, multi-branched perennial with erect or ascending stems. Branching can be at the base or higher. Has many purple flowers arranged in a spike.
Multi-branched, somewhat sprawling plant. Flowers are purplish, flower tubes are to 1/2 inch long, longer than the bracts (sepals), stamens are exserted. Flowers are smaller than those of I. aggregate or I. longiflora.
Habitat
Found in open sites from desert shrub up into woodlands and in montane forests.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2200
High elevation
8500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are crowded on short, lateral branches of an elongated stem; flower tubes to 1/2 inch long and 1/16 inch wide and two to three times the length of the lobes that spread open; flower bracts are up to 3/8 inch long.
Flower color
Purplish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Lower leaves are deeply lobed. Upper leaves have a smooth margin to few lobes. Lobed leaves are pinnately compound with 3, 5 or 7 linear lobes mostly 3/4 inch in length. Leaves are pointed at their apex.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Three chambered capsules up to 1/4 inch long. Chambers reflect the three carpels of the flowers. The capsules persist on the withered stem into the winter.
Fruit type
Capsule
Has 2 to 8 seeds per chamber.