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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Collomia debilis

Collomia debilis (S. Watson) Greene

Alpine Collomia

Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CODE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Numerous sprawling stems forming a loose mat, with leaves and cream, white, pink, lavender, or blue flowers crowded at ends.

The species name, meaning "weak," refers to the sprawling stems, which actually might be considered a strength, for the plant's low compact habit helps protect it from cold mountain winds. A similar species, Talus Collomia (C. larsenii), has highly divided leaves (with 3-7 lobes, some or all cleft again) and a corolla only to 1/2" (1.5 cm) long; it grows from the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains of Washington to northern California.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 inches tall, mat-forming.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Native Distribution: Cascade Range of Washington east to western Montana and western Wyoming, and southeast to northeastern Oregon, northeastern Nevada, and central Utah.
Native Habitat: Shifting, rocky, high-mountain slopes.

Web Reference

Webref 63 - Pacific Northwest Wildflowers (2020) Turner Photographics
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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