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

Rosy Plectritis, Sea Blush, Shortspur Seablush

Plectritis congesta

Synonyms: Plectritis congesta ssp. congesta, Plectritis congesta ssp. nitida, Plectritis congesta var. major

Flower head of Rosy Plectritis, Sea Blush, Shortspur Seablush: Plectritis congesta (Synonyms: Plectritis congesta ssp. congesta, Plectritis congesta ssp. nitida, Plectritis congesta var. major)
The photo above shows a close-up view of the slender bracts beneath the flower head of rosy plectritis. Note the long, narrow corolla tube and broad spreading lobes on the flowers.

Characteristics:

Rosy plectritis is a slender, single-stemmed annual from 10-60 cm tall. The herbage is mostly smooth. The leaves are opposite on the stem, with the lowest oblong with petioles, the upper elliptic in shape and sessile. The leaves range from 1-6 cm long and 3-22 mm wide.

The species name refers to the inflorescence of congested flowers, which form a tightly packed globe of flowers at the apex of the stem. The corolla of the flowers are pink or white, nearly campanulate, 4.5-9.5 mm long, and strongly two-lipped. The upper pair of petals are strongly fused while the lower trio are distinctly separate. A thick spur is also evident.


Habitat:

Rosy plectritis may be found on open, seasonally moist slopes and meadows.


Range:

Rosy plectritis may be found from southern Vancouver Island along the western crest of the Cascades to southern California.


Flowers of Rosy Plectritis, Sea Blush, Shortspur Seablush: Plectritis congesta (Synonyms: Plectritis congesta ssp. congesta, Plectritis congesta ssp. nitida, Plectritis congesta var. major)

The photo above shows a close-up view of the inflorescence of rosy plectritis.

Rosy Plectritis, Sea Blush, Shortspur Seablush: Plectritis congesta (Synonyms: Plectritis congesta ssp. congesta, Plectritis congesta ssp. nitida, Plectritis congesta var. major)

The photo above shows a profile view of rosy plectritis, giving the reader a general idea as to its form. Note the lower leaves which often whither by flower time and the sparse roots.

Paul Slichter