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Native 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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Giliastrum rigidulum (Bluebowls)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Giliastrum rigidulum (Benth.) Rydb.

Bluebowls, Blue gilia

Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)

Synonyms: Gilia rigidula

USDA Symbol: GIRI3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A low, often tufted plant with violet-blue flowers borne singly or few in a loose cluster near dense, rigid, prickly, divided leaves often hidden by flowers.

The violet-blue flower with the bright yellow center is unique. The eye serves to guide insects to the nectar.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Subshrub
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CO , KS , NM , OK , TX
Native Distribution: Eastern Arizona east to western Texas and north to southeastern Colorado and western Kansas; also in northern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Found in dry, rocky caliche soils mostly in South and West Texas.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Conditions Comments: Small mounding plant with flowers resembling Persian Violet, but deeper blue. Likes caliche soil.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0205 Collected Apr 7, 1992 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
NPSOT 0508 Collected Apr 11, 1992 in Kendall County by Lottie Millsaps

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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