|
|
 Flower head Willow Lake TrSue Smith |  Leaves and stem Willow Lake TrSue Smith |  Leaves and stem Willow Lake TrSue Smith |  Plant - summer Willow Lake TrSue Smith |  Flower bracts and seeds Willow Lake TrSue Smith | |
|
Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial Similar Species: Mirabilis coccinea
General Desc:
Stems arise from elongate woody taproots; stems erect to ascending or procumbent (stems grow along the ground but do not root), usually without hairs at least above, and often whitish-waxy below. White to pink-purple flowers arranged in terminal clusters.
Identification notes: Leaf blades at least 5 times as long as wide; 5-parted calyx is pink or purple, usually pale, twice as long as bracts; whorl of united bracts is enlarged and papery in fruit; fruit strongly 5-angled.
Height:
1 to 3-1/2 feet
Habitat Description: Oak woodlands and often in pine forests. Prefers open sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils and disturbed areas.
Plant Communities:
Interior Chaparral, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 4500 - 9500 feet
Color:
Pale purple to purplish-red
Shape:
Regular in clusters
Tubular:
Y
Flowering Period:
Jul - Sep
Description:
Funnel-shaped, 5 lobed with long stamens, width to 3/4 inch, length to 1 inch. Flower bracts papery. Terminal flower clusters have a distinct main axis and short lateral branches (panicle); occasional flower clusters also scattered in leaf axils.
Leaf Color:
Grayish-green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Opposite
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
Stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Leaves sticky, strongly ascending to spreading, leaf stems to 1/4 inch long; blades green to blue-gray and glaucous (white or grayish powdery coating), narrow, thin to fleshy, thick, and succulent, narrow at the base, tips tapered or rounded.
Fruit Color: Greenish-brown
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Narrow and rounded, tapering at both ends; spreading crinkled hairs in tufts or evenly distributed.
Seed Notes: Single, pale yellowish-brown seed.
|
|
