Scientific Family
Scrophulariaceae
Synonyms
Orthocarpus strictus
Other common names
golden-tongue owl-cover
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
8 to 14 inches
Riparian
Yes
An upper elevation herb; yellowish-green stems and leaves, often purplish later in the season; flower cluster is a dense cylindrical spike of green leaves with the flowers emerging from between them.
Finely glandular-hairy; stems usually simple, yellowish-green turn purple, leaves narrow, lance-like, 1-1/2 inches long, upper leaves 3 lobed; flowers tubular, yellow, 1/2 inch long, in narrow spikes, each with a dark green bract below.
Habitat
Meadows, moist hillsides and openings in the Ponderosa forest.
Plant Community
Riparian
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
6000
High elevation
9000
Flower Characteristics
Tall, dense, narrow spikes; bracts at flower bases short; broader and clefted higher up; mid-segment round-tipped; calyx 1/4 inch long; 4 pointed lobes; corolla 1/2 inch long; 3-toothed, lower lip; upper lip short and broad.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Erect stems; basal and lower stem leaves smooth; upper leaves alternate, narrow, linear, to 1-1/2 inches long; divided into 3 narrow lobes; covered with small glands that protrude, coarse stiff hairs mixed with longer, non-glandular hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Yellowish-green, purple
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
About 1/4 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Yellow, dark brown
20 to 25 oval seeds 1/16 inch long; ridged.