Foothills to sub-alpine. Openings, woodlands, shrublands.  Early spring.
Narraguinnep Natural Area, May 10, 2006.

Single flowers are difficult to spot; the plant itself is a bit easier because of the maroon on the stems and on the underside of the leaves, which frequently are angled upward enough to expose the red underside.

"Collinsia" was named for Zaccheus Collins, 1764-1831, eminent botanist from Philadelphia.  "Parviflora" is Latin for "small-flowered".  (More biographical information.)

Thomas Nuttall named this genus and David Douglas (of Douglas Fir fame) named the species in 1827.  Douglas shipped seeds of the plant from the Columbia River area to England where it was grown and described.

Foothills to sub-alpine. Openings, woodlands, shrublands.   Early spring.
Narraguinnep Natural Area, May 10, 2006 and Sanborn Park Road, Uncompahgre National Forest, May 31, 2013.

The side and front views of the flower are dramatically different.

Seeds are even smaller than the minute flowers.

Foothills to sub-alpine. Openings, woodlands, shrublands.  Early spring.
Prater Ridge Trail, Mesa Verde National Park, May 1, 2006.

One often finds Collinsia parviflora by looking for its red stems and leaves, not its more difficult to discern, minute blue and white flowers.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Collinsia parviflora