Plectritis congesta

common names;Rosy plectritis, Sea blush, Shortspur seablush

Description

General: Annual herbs, the stem usually simple, 1-6 dm. tall, the herbage nearly glabrous throughout. Leaves: Leaves opposite, distant, entire, 1-6 cm. long and 3-22 mm. wide, the lowermost ones spatulate or obovate and short-petiolate, the others oblong to elliptic and sessile. Flowers: Inflorescence congested, sub-capitate; calyx obsolete; corolla united, two-lipped, bright pink to white, 2-8 mm. long, with a well-developed, thick spur; stamens 3; ovary inferior, apparently 1-celled, since two of the 3 cells are sterile. Fruit: Fruit a dry carpel, 2-4 mm. long, the convex side keeled, with or without lateral wings.

Bloom Period

April - June

Distribution

Mostly west of the Cascades, Vancouver Island, British Columbia to California

Habitat

Ecological Setting Open, vernally moist meadows and slopes, sea level to moderate elevations in the mountains. Coastal bluffs, rocky slopes, meadows, grassy and mossy areas. Soil Texture Sandy and gravelly Nutrients Soil Reaction / Salinity Moisture Regime Moist mostly but can be found in drier places. Shade Tolerance Prefers mostly sunny or full sun