Inflated Jewel Flower
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(Streptanthus inflatus)
Inflated Jewel Flower (Streptanthus inflatus)
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Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith | Publisher: Flickr
Summary
Streptanthus inflatus, commonly known as Inflated Jewel Flower, is a perennial herb that is native to the chaparral and open woodlands of California, particularly in the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges. It is adapted to a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers. This plant typically grows at a moderate rate to a height of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters) and a width of 1-1.5 feet (0.3-0.5 meters). The Inflated Jewel Flower is characterized by its unique inflated, pouch-like purple to reddish-purple flowers that bloom in the spring and are quite showy, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
The Inflated Jewel Flower is appreciated for its unusual flowers and ability to thrive in dry, rocky conditions, making it a suitable choice for rock gardens, xeriscaping, and native plant landscapes. It is also valued for its low water requirements, making it an excellent plant for water-wise gardens. In cultivation, it requires full sun exposure and well-drained soils, preferably sandy or loamy. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it may benefit from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. There are no widely known cultivars of this species, and it is generally grown from seed. Potential problems include root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Inflated Jewel Flower is appreciated for its unusual flowers and ability to thrive in dry, rocky conditions, making it a suitable choice for rock gardens, xeriscaping, and native plant landscapes. It is also valued for its low water requirements, making it an excellent plant for water-wise gardens. In cultivation, it requires full sun exposure and well-drained soils, preferably sandy or loamy. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it may benefit from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. There are no widely known cultivars of this species, and it is generally grown from seed. Potential problems include root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow, Orange
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
Chaparral and open woodlands of California
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: Streptanthus inflatus, Caulanthus inflatus
GBIF Accepted Name: Streptanthus inflatus