Scientific Family
Polemoniaceae
Synonyms
Gilia nuttallii, Leptodactylon nuttallii, Leptosiphon nuttallii ssp. nuttallii, Linanthus nuttallii, Linanthastrum nuttallii var. nuttallii
Other common names
Nuttall's desert trumpet
slender-tubed phlox
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Leptosiphon nuttallii ssp. tenuilobus
Height
To about 14 inches
Riparian
No
Perennial forming low clumping mounds of erect branching stems with numerous fragrant white blooms. Needle-like leaves are clustered together and appear whorled. Flower stalks have 2 to 5 tubular flowers growing in rounded clusters at the stem tips.
Low-growing, stems several from woody base, green with opposite (or appearing whorled) clusters of leaves with 5 to 7 narrow divisions, and rounded mounds of 5-lobed, white flowers at stem tips; flower petals form tube, sepals shorter than the tube.
Habitat
Found in open areas of pine forests, meadows, sparsely wooded areas with sandy to rocky soils, rocky slopes in mountains and sunny hillsides.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
5500
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
5 united petals form a tube that flares out abruptly into a nearly flat disc-like section at the top (salverform). The flower is white with a yellow throat and about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. Blooms are sweetly aromatic.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Erect stems may be smooth or have short, soft hairs. Leaves grow in rings around the stem and are usually divided into 5 to 7 very narrow needle-like lobes or segments. Each lobe is 1/4 to 1/2 inch long with short, soft hairs and small spines on the tips.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
Yes
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit is a capsule about 1/4 inch long that is egg to oblong shaped and has 3 chambers.
Fruit type
Capsule
Seeds are yellowish-brown, about 1/16 inch long with 2 to 4 seeds in each of the chambers (locules) of the fruit capsule. Usually only 1 of the seeds in each chamber will mature.