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 Flowers Historic 89A - CottonwoodSue Smith |  Leaves Historic 89A - CottonwoodSue Smith |  Plant Historic 89A - CottonwoodSue Smith | | | |
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Origin:
Introduced
Life Cycle:
Biennial or annual
General Desc:
The plants are dense mounds of erect, branched stems and can be almost covered in flowers. The flowers open late in the day and release a strong, wonderfully sweet and spicy fragrance into the evening air.
Identification notes: Flower petals to 3/4 inch long, margins undulate, claw yellow, pale grayish-blue or purple. Stems rising from base, no leaves on stem once flowers start. Flowers open in the evening, close during the day, very fragrant when open.
Height:
2 feet
Habitat Description: This plant is found in sunny, open areas and in drainage areas along roadsides.
Plant Communities:
Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Riparian, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 3000 - 5000 feet
Color:
Purplish
Shape:
Regular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Apr - Jul
Description:
The flowers are nocturnal, up to 1 inch wide, and have 4 long, slender petals that are paler near the base and have rippled margins. The flowers are followed by long, slender seed capsules. Plants do not flower as freely as summer temperatures rise.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Lobed
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Leaves and stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
The leaves are green, alternate, woolly-haired, linear, and variably pinnately lobed. The stems are green, covered with dense fuzz, and well-branched.
Fruit Color: Green to brown
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Seed capsules are 3 to 4 inches long.
Seed Notes: Tiny round seeds are arranged in rows along each side of the capsule.
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