Texas Gardening: Texas Native Plant Pictures by color ( Blue ), 1 by htop

htop wrote:
Blue Gilia, Prickleleaf Gilia, Stiffleaf Gilia, Bluebowls (Gilia rigidula), Polemoniaceae Family, perennial/annual, native, subshrub, blooms from February or March through July or August (depending upon its habitat) - it frequently reblooms in the fall

Blue gilia can be found natively growing in dry sandy, rocky limestone or chalky soils of plains, prairies, brushlands, slopes or evergreen wooded environs. The blooms are about 3/4 of an inch wide. However , they standout well because of their color. The plant forms a basal rosette of leaves; however, it has a stout, woody base. The stems are very small and slender. It has a taproot, so it is difficult to dig up and replant without it being injured. I have tried to save 2 of them from construction bulldozers and both have died. It is considered to be rare. It is a very low growing groundcover and makes an excellent plant to use in a rock garden, wildscape or xeriscape. It also can be used in an area trhat needs erosion control.

Distribution
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/cgi/vpt_map_name?reg=2,6,7,8,...

For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/62385/index.html

The bloom closeup ... note the bloom bud that is a unique color


This message was edited Apr 4, 2007 1:21 AM