Ipomopsis Longiflora, Flaxflowered Gilia

All parts of ipomopsis longiflora are thin and delicate; the wispy stems, the finely divided leaves and the attractive flowers, which are about 3 inches in length, colored, white, pale blue or lavender. When not in flower the plant is difficult to identify, merging with grass and other similar undergrowth.

The long, very slender corolla tube opens out into five lobes, which have a little point at the tip. The lower end of the tube is held by five narrow, green sepals, purplish at the base. The plant branches readily from just above the ground. Leaves grow at intervals along the branches, but those around the base tend to have withered by the time flowering begins. Stems and leaves have a covering of very short hairs.