About Leptosiphon parviflorus Benth.
Leptosiphon parviflorus Benth. is an annual herb. As its common name implies, this species varies widely in appearance. Its stem can be just a few centimeters long, or grow erect to a maximum height of 25 centimeters. Its leaves are divided into multiple lobes, which are most often linear in shape, and measure between 1 and 2.5 centimeters long. The inflorescence forms a cluster of several flowers that can come in almost any color, most commonly shades of yellow, pink, or white. Each flower has a long, very narrow tube that may be over 3 centimeters long. The tube opens into a yellowish throat and a flat corolla, with purplish markings at the base of each corolla lobe. This species blooms from March through June. Leptosiphon parviflorus is endemic to California, where it grows at elevations ranging from sea level up to 1,200 metres (3,900 ft). It is widespread and common across many habitat types, including chaparral, oak woodlands, mixed evergreen forests, and montane coniferous forests. It occurs in multiple California mountain ranges: the Sierra Nevada, California Coast Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, southern Cascade Range, and Transverse Ranges. It is also native to four of the Channel Islands of California.
