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 Leaves and flowers Liz Makings @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) |  Plant Patrick Alexander @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) | | | | |
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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Perennial
General Desc:
Erect, pale green, hairless perennial, somewhat woody at the base and generally branching above. Several to many erect, leafy stems from an underground stolon. Most stems about 39 inches or a bit taller. Stem has noticeable ridges running lengthwise.
Identification notes: Erect, very leafy stems with exfoliating bark and alternate or nearly opposite, sessile (without a petiole) leaves; flowers mostly solitary in the axils, forming slender, leafy spikes.The pedicels (flower stalks) are short.
Height:
To 5 feet
Habitat Description: Grows in moist soil near water from the deserts to the mountains.
Plant Communities:
Riparian
Elevation: 1000 - 6600 feet
Color:
Pinkish-purple
Shape:
Regular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
Y
Flowering Period:
Mar - Nov
Description:
There are 4 to 6 purple flowers, sometimes more, along the upper third of the stem. The sepals form a short tube which opens out into 6 soft petals, 3/4 to 1 inch across.
Leaf Color:
Green
Leaf Type:
Simple
Leaf Shape:
Narrow
Leaf Margin:
Toothed
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate and opposite
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
No
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
The leaves are attached at the base, alternate to almost opposite, and linear-lanceolate in shape. The stems are erect, branched, ridged, hairless, and leafy.
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: Many seeded capsule is closely enveloped by the calyx, which is vertically pleated.
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