Downingia

Last updated

Downingia
Downingia concolor 2.jpg
Downingia concolor
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Campanulaceae
Subfamily: Lobelioideae
Genus: Downingia
Torr.
Type species
Downingia elegans
Species

13: see text

Synonyms
  • BoleliaRaf.

Downingia is a genus of 13 annual plants native to western North America and Chile. Commonly known as calico flowers, they are notable for forming mass displays of small but colorful blooms around vernal pools. A number are uncommon endemics in California.

The stems may be decumbent or erect, 10–40 cm in length, with narrow cauline leaves that may drop off before the flower develops. The flowers are typically inverted by the twisting of the ovary during blooming. Colors range from blue and pink to white, with the lower (larger) lip including a white or yellow patch. The lower lip generally consists of three lobes, while the upper lip is much smaller and has two lobes.

The genus is named after American horticulturalist A. J. Downing (1815-1852).

Species

ImageScientific nameCommon nameDistribution
Downingiabacigalupii.jpg Downingia bacigalupii Bach's calicoflower or Bacigalupi's downingiawestern United States from California to Idaho
Downingia bella.jpg Downingia bella Hoover's calicoflower or Hoover's DowningiaRiverside County to areas in the Great Central Valley, California
Downingiabicornuta.jpg Downingia bicornuta doublehorn calicoflowerUnited States from California to Idaho
Downingia concolor 2.jpg Downingia concolor maroonspot calicoflower and fringed downingiaCalifornia
Downingia cuspidata toothed calicoflowerCalifornia to Mexico
Downingia elegans.jpeg Downingia elegans elegant calicoflower or Californian lobeliawestern North America from California to British Columbia
Downingia insignis harlequin calicoflower or cupped downingiawestern United States from California to Idaho
Downingia laeta Great Basin calicoflowerCalifornia to Saskatchewan
Downingia montana Sierra calicoflowerCalifornia
Downingia ornatissima folded calicoflowerCalifornia
Downingia pulchella flat-face calicoflower or valley calicoflowerTehachapi Mountains to the San Francisco Bay Area, California
Downingia pusilla dwarf calicoflowerChile and the US state of California
Downingiayina.jpg Downingia yina Cascade calicoflowerWashington to northern California