Gilia capitata

Gilia capitata also known as Blue gilia, Blue thimble flower, Globe gilia, Blue-head-gily-flower is in the Polemoniaceae family.

Gilia capitata growth habit

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Plantae
  
• (unranked): Angiosperms
  
• (unranked): Eudicots
  
• (unranked): Asterids
  
• Order: Ericales
  
• Family: Polemoniaceae
  
• Genus: Gilia
  
• Species: G. capitata
  

Description

• General: Erect, slender, sparingly-branched annual, the glabrous to stipitate-glandular stem 1.5-10 dm. tall.

• Leaves: Leaves basal and cauline, the lower bipinnatifid with slender rachis and narrow ultimate segments; reduced upward and becoming pinnatifid.

• Flowers: Flowers sessile in dense, 50- to 100-flowered heads terminating the stem and branches; corolla bluish, 6-10 mm. long, the 5 slender lobes about equaling the tube; calyx with prominent translucent intervals between the 5 herbaceous segments; filaments inserted in the sinuses of the corolla, about equal to the lobes; style 3-parted; ovary superior.

• Fruit: Capsules with 3 carpels, each with 2, 3 or 0 seeds; become mucilaginous when wet.

Seed

Abbreviation: GICA

Seed sample from: 2011

Average Measurement: 1.7 x 1.1 x 0.7

Measurement Range: L: 1.2 – 2, W: 0.75 – 1.4, D: 0.5 – 1.1

Features

Shape: Seed narrow at hilium end, broadening at opposite apex. Hilium inconspicuous. Uniformity in shape is not that common, but most seeds take a relatively teardrop shaped.

Color: Seed is brown, very bumpy, and slightly lustrous.

Surface: Seed coat becomes very mucilaginous and stringy when wet.

Could be confused with COGRX, but GICA is about ½ the size and does not have sulcus.

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical

Longitudinal Cross Section: obovate