Scientific Family
Valerianaceae
Synonyms
Plectritis ciliosa var. ciliosa
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
5 to 22 inches
Riparian
No
Erect, angled and sparingly branched; narrow leaves. Each flower has a long, slender spur extending downward from the front of the corolla.
Annual, herbage not hairy; leaves opposite, upper oblong, lower spatula-like; flowers funnel-shaped, borne in a dense cluster, 2-lipped, spurred, pink to dark pink, lower lobes smaller than upper, lower with 2 red spots; fruit winged on hollowed outside.
Habitat
Found in deep to partially shaded slopes.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
0
High elevation
5500
Flower Characteristics
Seedhead is a dense head-like cluster of flowers; small corollas 1/16 to 1/8 inch long; 2-lipped and narrowly funnel-form (widening gradually from the base, ending in a flared shape); lower lip with 2 red spots; slender, pointed spur.
Flower color
Pink to dark pink
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Opposite; oblong upper leaves; lower leaves spatula-shaped or egg-shaped; margins smooth; lower leaves on short stalks, upper leaves stalk-less; 3/4 to 2-1/2 inches long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Keeled and grooved on the convex side; winged on the concave side; wing margins thick; grooved lengthwise.
Fruit type
Achene