| Leptosiphon parviflorus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Polemoniaceae |
| Genus: | Leptosiphon |
| Species: | L. parviflorus |
| Binomial name | |
| Leptosiphon parviflorus (Benth.) J.M.Porter & L.A.Johnson |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Linanthus parviflorus |
|
Leptosiphon parviflorus (syn. Linanthus parviflorus) is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name variable linanthus.
It is endemic to California, where it is widespread and common in many types of habitat, including the Sierra Nevada.
As its common name suggests, this annual herb is variable in appearance. The stem may be just a few centimeters long or up to 25 centimeters in erect height. The leaves are divided into several lobes, often linear in shape, and 1 to 2.5 centimeters long.
The inflorescence is a cluster of several flowers which may be nearly any color, often shades of yellow, pink, or white. Each flower has a long, very narrow tube which may exceed 3 centimeters. It expands into a yellowish throat and a flat corolla with purplish markings at the base of each lobe.