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 Flowers Patrick Alexander @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)atrick Alexander @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-Sh |  Leaves Patrick Alexander @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial Similar Species: Tradescantia occidentalis
General Desc:
Erect, slender-stemmed herb; 2 long, slender, spreading bracts at the base of flowers resemble leaves, lightly hairy with soft, short hairs.
Identification notes: Roots tuber-like at base of stems or on rhizomes; slender stems wrapped by sheaths, sparsely branched, erect to ascending; leaves alternate, grass-like, hairy, blades lance-like; flowers have 3 petals of equal size; bearded stamen filaments.
Height:
To 12 inches or less
Habitat Description: Found on granite and limestone surfaces; in wet areas on stream sides in canyons; also in grasslands, chaparral, mesas, and pine forests.
Plant Communities:
Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Montane Conifer Forest, Riparian
Elevation: 4500 - 9500 feet
Color:
Light purple, pinkish-purple, blue
Shape:
Regular not in clusters
Tubular:
N
Flowering Period:
Aug - Sep
Description:
3 petals light purple, pinkish-purple, or blue flowers; 1/3 to 1/2 inch long; 2 long, linear, spreading bracts; flowers single or sometimes in groups; arising out of a single bract; stamens feathery at the base, light purple; bright yellow anthers.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Smooth
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
Y
Hairs:
Stems
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Slender stems, green to reddish, erect to ascending, covered in short, slightly rough hairs; leaf blades narrow, roll inward (involute) at the margins, to 5 inches long; look like grass blades, clasping at the base, narrow veined.
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Capsules 1/8 to 1/4 inch; 3-valved.
Seed Notes: Small seeds to 1/8 inch.
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