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Species Image Gallery (opens in a new window) |
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| THE BLUEBELL FAMILY | |||||||||
| In Saskatchewan, there are three genera belonging to the bluebell family. This family was previously split into two: the bluebell and the lobelia families. The bluebell family had regular shaped flowers and the stamens were free, while in the lobelia family the flowers were irregular shaped and the stamens were united. Now, the lobelia family is considered to be part of the bluebell family. Some characteristics that unite all of the members of this family include fused petals, an inferior ovary, and alternate leaves. The fruit type is a capsule or berry. Many species in this family are grown in gardens and flower beds because the flowers are very pretty and are usually brightly coloured. | |||||||||
| CALICO-FLOWER | |||||||||
| LATIN NAME: Downingia laeta | |||||||||
| WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? | |||||||||
| Calico-flower is an annual plant that grows 5 to 15 cm tall from fibrous roots. The branched stems are often reclining on the ground. Occasionally, the stems may root at the nodes. The leaves are sessile and alternate on the stem. The leaves usually fall off by the time the plant flowers. The flowers occur in the axils of the leaves or bracts. The flowers appear stalked because the ovary is long and thin. The sepals are leaf-like and are nearly distinct. The petals are shorter than the sepals and are irregular in shape. The upper lip has two lobes and the lower lip has three. The lips are not split to the base of the petals. Inside the flower, the petals have a white “throat” that is spotted with yellow. The petals are blue to pale violet with darker blue veins. The anthers and filaments are united around the style. Two of the anthers are bristle tipped. The ovary is inferior and looks like a flower stalk. The fruit is a pod-like capsule. | |||||||||
| WHERE DOES IT GROW? | |||||||||
| Calico-flower grows in alkaline or saline soil in mudflats, roadsides, and cultivated fields. | |||||||||
| WHERE IS IT FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN? | |||||||||
| This species is found in southern Saskatchewan in the Cypress Hills and Great Sand Hills. It occurs in the Cypress Upland, Mixed Grassland, and Moist Mixed Grassland ecoregions. | |||||||||
| WHY IS IT RARE? | |||||||||
| Calico-flower is threatened because it is rare and is regionally restricted to two general regions of the province. This species is usually locally numerous within limited areas. | |||||||||
| HOW TO IDENTIFY CALICO-FLOWER | |||||||||
| * Are the leaves withered or absent at the time
of flowering? * Are the petals divided into two lips, the upper with two lobes and the lower with three lobes? * Are the flowers pale violet to blue with white and yellow on the inside? * Did you find it in southern Saskatchewan? | |||||||||
| If you answered yes to all of these questions, you may have found calico-flower! | |||||||||
