Semi-desert. Openings. Spring, summer.
De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, New Mexico, April 29, 2006.

Although quite short as pictured here in the drought of 2005-2006, Ipomopsis congesta can be as robust as its very close relative, Ipomopsis roseata, shown below.  The two plants are very similar and are best distinguished by their inflorescence: Ipomopsis congesta's is less than 1 centimeter, that of I. roseata is about 1.3 centimeters.  I. congesta tends to grow in dry, open areas at lower altitudes but is also found into the montane zone and is found in most Western states.  I. roseata is found more often in rocky areas of the higher semi-desert and foothills and is a Colorado Plateau endemic found only in eastern Utah and west-central Colorado.

Ipomopsis congesta was first collected by David Douglas (of Douglas Fir fame) in the 1820s or 30s and was named in 1837 by his friend and mentor, William Jackson Hooker, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.  Hooker named the plant Gilia congesta and in 1956 Verne Grant renamed it Ipomopsis congesta.

Semi-desert. Openings. Spring, summer.
De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, New Mexico, April 29, 2006.

Semi-desert. Sandy openings. Spring.
South of the Hogback, New Mexico, April 24, 2007.

Sometime sprawling, more often somewhat erect, this tiny Gilia attracts attention with its leaves more than its minute flowers. The plant pictured at left is young and it will probably develop an upright, branched main stem.  Leaves are hairy and leaf tips have a prominent stiff hair.  

John Torrey named this species Gilia polycladon in 1858 from a specimen collected by Wright near El Paso, Texas in 1851-1852.  The plant was renamed Ipomopsis polycladon by Verne Grant in 1956.  "Polycladon" is Greek for "many branched".

Semi-desert. Sandy openings. Spring.
South of the Hogback, New Mexico, April 24, 2007.

The tiny calyx lobes are swollen, sharply red-pointed, and almost the length of the flower.

Semi-desert, foothills. Sandy openings, shrublands, woodlands. Spring.
South Bloomfield, New Mexico, April 23, 2007.

Growing to about eight inches tall, this lovely Ipomopsis can be found in all the Rocky Mountain states and Texas.  Flower color ranges from almost white to purple.

Thomas Nuttall named this species Gilia pumila in 1848 from a species he collected near the Platte River in the Front Range of the Rockies, probably on the Wyeth Expedition of 1834-1837.  Verne Grant renamed it Ipomopsis pumila in 1956.  "Pumila" is Latin for "dwarf".

Semi-desert, foothills. Sandy openings, shrublands, woodlands. Spring.
South Bloomfield, New Mexico, April 23, 2007.

Semi-desert. Openings. Spring, summer.
Corona Arch Trail, Utah, May 5, 2005.

Ipomopsis roseata usually grows in a compact, small shrub-like form and bears its numerous flowers in tight flat-topped clusters.  It grows to a bit over a foot tall and several feet around.  It, and its close cousin, Ipomopsis congesta, shown at the top of this page, thus have very different growth patterns from the more common open, airy, solitary Gilias shown elsewhere in this web site.  I. roseata is a lovely Colorado Plateau endemic.

The type of this species was collected by Alice Eastwood in San Juan County, Utah and was named and described by Per Axel Rydberg in 1904.  Gilia expert Verne Grant reworked this genus and renamed the plant Ipomopsis in 1956.

Semi-desert. Openings. Spring, summer.
Corona Arch Trail, Utah, May 5, 2005.

Semi-desert. Openings. Spring, summer.
Corona Arch Trail, Utah, May 5, 2005.

Seed pods are several inches long.