[The Genus Gymnosteris East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Small-flowered Gymnosteris

Gymnosteris parvula

Synonym: Gilia parvula

Small-flowered gymnosteris from about 2700 meters elevation at the heaf of Kiger Gorge, Steens Mountain, southeastern Oregon...........July 11, 2014.

The photo at right shows a close-up of small-flowered gymnosteris from the Kiger Gorge Viewpoint, Steens Mt., southeastern Oregon...........June 25, 2000. Note the long floral bracts below the flower.

Characteristics:

Small-flowered gymnosteris is a diminutive annual wildflower with a simple, unbranched stem from 2-5 cm high. The floral bracts have are lanceolate to ovate in shape, are often purplish tinged, and are up to 13 mm long.

A single flower typically is found atop the stem. The calyx is 2.5-4 mm long. The calyx and tube of the corolla are both about the same length. The corolla is white with a yellow eye, often turning purple with age. The corolla lobes are about 0.7-1.5 mm long, while the flower itself is about 2-3 mm wide.

Habitat:

Small-flowered gymnosteris may be found on open, dry slopes and meadows from the foothills to fairly high elevations in the mountains.

Range:

Small-flowered gymnosteris may be found from Deschutes and Grant counties, Oregon east through Idaho to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and south to California and Colorado.

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Small-flowered gymnosteris from about 2700 meters elevation at the heaf of Kiger Gorge, Steens Mountain, southeastern Oregon...........July 11, 2014.

Small-flowered gymnosteris from about 2700 meters elevation at the Kiger Gorge Viewpoint, Steens Mt., southeastern Oregon...........June 25, 2000.

Paul Slichter