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Hardie-Scott, Linda

Gilia tricolor

Gilia tricolor Benth.

Bird's-eye Gilia, Bird's-eyes

Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: GITR2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Bird�s-eyes, a much-branched, 15 in. annual, has pinnately dissected leaves and showy flowers. The 1/2 in., light-blue or violet flowers are set off by powder-blue stamens, a yellow throat, and a dark-purple ring atop the throat. The plant has a musky fragrance.

From the Image Gallery

12 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 15 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Blue , Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA , MA
Native Distribution: CA Coast Ranges from San Benito to Humboldt Cos., Central Valley from Tulare to Tehama Cos. & n. Sierran foothills
Native Habitat: Open, grassy plains and slopes below 2000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Various soils.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Seeds may be sown from autumn to early spring, but germination is better when planted with autumn rains.
Seed Treatment: No treatment necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 36 - Jepson eFlora (2019) The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Gilia tricolor in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Gilia tricolor in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Gilia tricolor

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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