Common name:
Baby blue eyes
Family:
Scientific name:
Nemophila menziesii
Main flower color:
Range:
The Pacific states, and far south Nevada
Height:
Up to 6 inches
Habitat:
Canyons, woodland, grassland, washes, chaparral, coastal bluffs, from near sea level to 6,200 feet
Leaves:
Opposite, stalked, up to 2 inches long, divided into 5 to 13 rounded lobes
Season:
January to July
Flowers of nemophila menziesii form singly on top of green or purplish stalks up to 2 inches long. The corolla is bell-shaped, up to 1.5 inches wide, colored white to pale purple or bright blue, always white at the center, and sometimes crossed by darker veins or blotches. At the center are a white style and five stamens, topped by purplish anthers; all are short, held well within the corolla. Underneath the corolla are five green sepals, and between those are five similar-looking appendages, spreading or reflexed, about half as long, Appendages and sepals have a covering of bristly white hairs.
Stems may be branched or unbranched, grow upwards or along the ground. They are also usually covered by bristly hairs, but may sometimes be hairless. Leaves are pinnately divided into an odd number of lobes, entire or lined by a few teeth. Lower lobes have petioles, similar in length to the blade, while upper stem leaves are sessile. There are three varieties (atomaria, integrifolia, menziesii), differing in leaf and corolla characteristics.
Stems may be branched or unbranched, grow upwards or along the ground. They are also usually covered by bristly hairs, but may sometimes be hairless. Leaves are pinnately divided into an odd number of lobes, entire or lined by a few teeth. Lower lobes have petioles, similar in length to the blade, while upper stem leaves are sessile. There are three varieties (atomaria, integrifolia, menziesii), differing in leaf and corolla characteristics.
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