Scientific Family
Campanulaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
10 to 12 inches
Riparian
Yes
Diffusely branched delicate annual forb with basal leaves in a compact rosette. Small flowers are borne on stems in loose racemes.
Petals almost distinct, the tube is very short. Anthers are very minute, no more than 0.3 mm long. Lower stems are purplish or brownish.
Habitat
Dry slopes, rocky basalt, limestone and sandy soils, dry washes.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are white with 3 upper petal lobes tipped with purple, 2 lower petal lobes are white.
Flower color
White to purplish
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Basal leaves are mostly oblanceolate, toothed or pinnatifid, and 1/2 to 1 inch long. Lower parts of stems are purplish or brownish.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Seed capsules are slender and cylindrical, with distinct, somewhat flattened longitudinal ridges.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Brown