Common name:
Diffuse groundsmoke
Family:
Scientific name:
Gayophytum diffusum
Main flower color:
Range:
The Rocky Mountains, and all states to the west
Height:
Up to 2 feet
Habitat:
Sagebrush, open woodland, from 2,700 to 12,000 feet
Leaves:
Cauline, alternate, linear to narrowly oblanceolate, up to 2.3 inches long
Season:
May to September
Gayophytum diffusum is a delicate-looking species, with thin stems, narrow leaves and small flowers. Leaves are linear, relatively thick, with a sparse covering of short hairs. Stems may branch at the base but are more likely to do so above the middle.
Flowers have four white petals, each with two small yellow patches at the base. Petals become pink then red as they wither. There are eight stamens, four (those in between the petals) longer than the other four; all are exserted. The four sepals are unfused, equal in size, and recurved at maturity.
Two subspecies are ssp diffusum, where the stigma is exserted beyond the stamens, and the more common ssp parviflorum where it is not.
Flowers have four white petals, each with two small yellow patches at the base. Petals become pink then red as they wither. There are eight stamens, four (those in between the petals) longer than the other four; all are exserted. The four sepals are unfused, equal in size, and recurved at maturity.
Two subspecies are ssp diffusum, where the stigma is exserted beyond the stamens, and the more common ssp parviflorum where it is not.
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