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Origin:
Native
Life Cycle:
Annual, biennial or perennial
General Desc:
1 to several stems are upright but may grow flat on the ground; grayish-green leaves are deeply cut into many sections; yellow flowers that curve backwards grow to about 3/4 inch in spike-like clusters of 6 to 18 that stand above the leaves.
Identification notes: Annual, biennial, short-lived perennial; stems 1 to several, erect to ascending; leaves dissected, 3 oblong leaflets with smooth margins and a powdery bloom; flowers yellow; 2 sepals unite into a cap that pushes off with expanding petals; fruit erect.
Height:
To nearly 14 inches
Habitat Description: Found on loose, often dry, sandy soil in open areas such as prairies, plains, meadows, pastures, savannas, edges of woodlands, hillsides, slopes, ditches, railroad embankments and washes.
Plant Communities:
Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Disturbed Areas
Elevation: 2500 - 4000 feet
Color:
Pale to bright yellow
Shape:
Irregular in elongated clusters
Tubular:
Y
Flowering Period:
Apr - Jun
Description:
Each flower has 4 petals with the outer 2 petals enclosing the inner 2. 1 petal of each bloom has a short, straight, bag-like structure (spur) at the base which projects backwards and holds nectar for insects. The "spur" is a useful identifying feature.
Leaf Color:
Grayish-green
Leaf Type:
Compound
Leaf Shape:
Pinnatifid
Leaf Margin:
Dissected
Leaf Attachment:
Alternate
Leaves Clasp:
N
Hairs:
No
Spines:
N
Leaf Description:
Stems are slightly succulent usually growing upright but may spread flat on the ground; feather-like leaves grow to about 6 inches long with blades that are divided into several rows of leaflets; final leaflet at the blade tip is egg-shaped or oblong.
Fruit Color: Green
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Notes: The fruit is 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, narrow, slender, usually strongly curved inward but may be straight.
Seed Notes: Each seed about 1/16 inch in diameter, circular, black, shiny and may have a marginal ring. Under magnification, the seed appears distinctly roughened or has a slight net-like pattern on its surface. Seeds require an after-ripening period to germinate.
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