Campanulaceae
Downingia elegans

Elegant Downingia

Stem decumbent or erect, many pairs of flowers. Usually grows in masses. Leaves on stems, small, sessile, entire, often withered before flowering. Flowers held by long ovary tube looking like swollen stem. At top of tube are 5 narrow green bracts under flower corolla; lower lip of corolla with central large white spot (no yellow); 3 purple to blue sharply pointed lobes. Upper 2 lobes are same color, narrow, pointed. Long hooked stamen column extends from center. Grows in vernal-wet areas below 6500 ft. Very similar D. bacigalupii has rounded lower lobes, 2 oblong yellow spots in large white patch.

  • Rarity: Locally Common
  • Flowering Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
  • Life Cycle: Annual
  • Height: 2--12 inches
  • Habitat: Vernal Wet, Bog/Fen/Wetland
  • Found In: Siskiyous, East Gorge, Great Basin
  • Native: Yes