About Downingia yina Applegate
Downingia yina, commonly called Cascade calico-flower, is a distinctive, colorful wildflower. It produces small, easily recognizable flowers that grow up to 1 centimeter wide. Each flower has three fused lower petals that are blue or violet, with a white central spot that holds a yellow center; this pattern attracts pollinating insects and helps them navigate to the flower's center. The two upper blue petals can either fold together to face each other, or stick straight outward. This plant grows in moist habitats, including vernal pools, wet meadows, and lake edges. It occurs in the Pacific Northwest, ranging from Washington to northern California.
