About Gambelia speciosa Nutt.
Gambelia speciosa Nutt. was previously classified as Galvezia speciosa, and is commonly known as the showy island snapdragon or showy greenbright. This is a perennial plant species endemic to California chaparral and woodlands habitats. It grows on the Channel Islands in Southern California, United States, and on Guadalupe Island west of the Baja California Peninsula in Baja California, Mexico. It is listed as an endangered species in the California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California. The genus name Gambelia was chosen to honor William Gambel (1823–1849), an American naturalist, ornithologist, and botanist. The Latin specific epithet speciosa comes from the word speciosus, which means showy. This species was first described and published in 1848, in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia Volume 4 (March–April), on page 7. In cultivation, Gambelia speciosa is grown as an ornamental plant for native plant gardens, drought-tolerant gardens, and wildlife gardens. It generally prefers a sunny location and well-drained soil, and needs minimal summer water. Its flowers attract hummingbirds.
