Gilia capitata

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


File:GICA GaryAMonroe veg good.jpg|thumb|300 px|right|Gilia capitata growth habit|

Taxonomy

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.

Bloom Period

Distribution

Habitat

Uses

Propagation

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 GICA lat.png

Longitudinal Cross Section: obovate GICA long.png

Photo Gallery

References