Maiden Blue Eyed Mary
Collinsia parviflora
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © vanloonmd (iNaturalist #79352952)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Collinsia
- Species:
- Collinsia parviflora
- USDA Symbol:
- COPA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, white, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, small pollinators
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cool temperatures; fall sowing recommended for natural cold stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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