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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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Gambelia speciosa (Showy greenbright)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Gambelia speciosa

Gambelia speciosa Nutt.

Showy Greenbright, Island Snapdragon

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s): Galvezia speciosa

USDA Symbol: GASP10

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Almost a subshrub, being green-woody, this much-branched plant commonly reaches 3 ft. in height and up to 5 ft. in width. It often trails out nearly flat, making an excellent ground cover. Triplets of leaves are bright green. Its best feature is the bright red, snapdragon-shaped flowers.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall, often shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Channel Islands, CA
Native Habitat: Rocky bluffs & canyons

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Relatively drought tolerant but appearance benefits from occasional summer waterings.

Propagation

Description: Propagate with stem cuttings or seed.
Seed Treatment: Seeds germinate without treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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