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Synthyris missurica

Synthyris missurica (Raf.) Pennell

Tailed Kittentails, Mountain Kittentails

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SYMI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A generally low, erect plant with dense racemes of bilaterally symmetrical, deep blue-violet flowers above basal leaves.

The intense blue-violet of the corolla seems to deepen in the shade, where this plant is often found. Although pretty, this species is surpassed in beauty by a close relative, Fringed Synthyris (S. schizantha), in which the edges of the corolla lobes are cut into many strips, forming a beautiful fringe; it grows only on a few moist shaded cliffs in northern Oregon and western Washington.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: CA , ID , MT , OR , WA
Native Distribution: Northern Idaho southwest to southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon; also in south-central Oregon and northeastern California.
Native Habitat: Moist, open or shaded slopes from foothills to moderate elevations.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 65 - Montana Field Guides - Plants (2020) State of Montana

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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