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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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 15 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Blue , Purple , VioletBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CA , MANative 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: SunSoil Description: Various soils.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis 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) CalfloraWebref 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 PlantsFNA: Find Gilia tricolor in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Gilia tricolor
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-13Research By: TWC Staff