Maiden Blue Eyed Mary

Collinsia parviflora

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Plantaginaceae
Genus:
Collinsia
Species:
Collinsia parviflora

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
1-2 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may, jun
Bloom Colors:
blue, purple

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Host Plant for Caterpillars

⚠️Edith's checkerspot (Euphydryas editha)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
poor, sandy, well-drained soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
thrives in open, disturbed areas

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: None required

Establishment: Flowers are borne in the leaf axils and plants flower and ripen seed indeterminantly. Collecting the tiny capsules by hand is tedious. Plants are cut or pulled up and dried in paper bags at room temperature until cleaned. Seed is reddish brown when ripe and shatters readily. Seed usually ripens in late May. General Distribution: British Columbia and western US east to North Dakota and south to Nebraska and New Mexico. Prefers areas that are moist in spring. It is tolerant of some shade and frequently grows in small openings next to taller plants in the early spring. Usually found in areas which receive 16-50 inches mean annual precipitation (USDA NRCS 2004).

Source: npn.rngr.net