Sand Gilia
(Gilia tenuiflora ssp. arenaria )
Polemoniaceae

Photo Copyright 1994 Dean Wm. Taylor

Description: Annual herb 6 - 16 inches (1.5-4dm) high. Lower branches are 2 1/2 - 6 3/4 inches (6-17cm) long, generally glandular, and lie flat on the ground with tips curving upward. Basal leaves are strap-shaped with 4-6 pairs of lobes, and 3/4 - 2 3/8 inches (2-6cm) long. The flower has a corolla 1/2 - 5/8 inches (12-16mm) long, with a purple, slender corolla tube, and lobes (petals) pink-violet, 1/8 inch (3-4mm) wide, and 3/16 inches (4-5mm) long. The calyx is densely glandular, 1/8 inch (3.3-4.3mm) long. The fruit are capsules, 1/8 - 3/16 inches (3.5-5mm) long, with brown seeds.

Distribution:

Habitat: Coastal sand dunes, washes, and canyons. Elevation 3.2 - 144 feet.

Flowering Period: Blooms April - June.

Similar Plants:

Status: Federal Endangered, California State Threatened, California Native Plant Society List 1B