[Owl-clovers: The Genera Castilleja, Orthocarpus and Triphysaria in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Dwarf Owl-clover, Dwarf Owl's-clover, Native Owl-clover

Triphysaria pusilla

Synonyms: Orthocarpus pusillus, Orthocarpus pusillus var. densiuscuus

Dwarf Owl-clover, Dwarf Owl's-clover, Native Owl-clover:  Triphysaria pusilla (Synonyms: Orthocarpus pusillus, Orthocarpus pusillus var. densiuscuus)

Dwarf owl-clover as seen on the southeastern slopes of Sevenmile Hill several miles northwest of The Dalles, Oregon.......April 12, 2015.

Characteristics:

Dwarf owl-clover is a slender, erect plant with one main stem or perhaps several branched stems rising from 4-20 cm. It is very slender in appearance and its herbage is covered with small, rough, and spreading hairs. The leaves are linear to lanceolate tapering gradually to the tip. Individual leaves range from 2-6 cm long and may be entire or have 3-5 slender, linear lobes.

The inflorescence is dense and compacted with several flowers. The bracts are similar to the leaves but shorter and broader while the calyx teeth are sharp-pointed and shorter than the corolla. The corolla is light yellow to reddish-purple and ranges from 4-6 mm long. The galea is straight and pointed, often with a slight hook at the tip and the lower lip consists of 3 sac-like swellings.


Habitat:

Dwarf owl-clover is a lowland wildflower of moist open meadows, pastures, and grassy slopes.


Range:

Dwarf owl-clover may be found west of the Cascade Mts. from southern British Columbia to California.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations of 100'-2000' from near Dog Mt. east to Rowena.


Dwarf Owl-clover, Dwarf Owl's-clover, Native Owl-clover:  Triphysaria pusilla (Synonyms: Orthocarpus pusillus, Orthocarpus pusillus var. densiuscuus)

Dwarf owl-clover observed on Castilleja Hill, Memaloose area, Columbia River Gorge......March 20, 2018.

Paul Slichter