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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Gilia capitata

Gilia capitata Sims

Bluehead Gilia, Blue-head Gily-flower, Globe Gilia, Blue Gilia

Polemoniaceae (Phlox Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: gica5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (I), HI (I), CAN (I)

Blue-head Gily-flower or Globe Gilia is a tall, slender annual with neat, usually powder-blue flowerballs on 1-3 ft. stalks and finely divided leaves.

Globe Gilia is a member of the phlox family (family Polemoniaceae) which includes mainly leafy herbs, rarely small shrubs, commonly with showy flowers.

From the Image Gallery

8 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall, often shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , HI , ID , IL , NY , OH , OR , UT , VT , WA
Native Distribution: Coast Ranges from Marin Co., CA, n. to B.C. & ID; naturalized locally in Santa Cruz Mts.
Native Habitat: Open, dry slopes & chaparral banks below 6000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Globe gilia self-sows readily and is a common component of wildflower seed mixes.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This 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 pretreatment is necessary, although two seeks stratification improves germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants 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) Calflora
Webref 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 capitata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Gilia capitata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Gilia capitata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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