Southern Gilia
Saltugilia australis
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Anthony Valois and the National Park Service
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polemoniaceae
- Genus:
- Saltugilia
- Species:
- Saltugilia australis
- USDA Symbol:
- SAAU11
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, lavender, pale blue
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Spotted Straw Moth (Heliothis phloxiphaga)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, small pollinators
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Desert annual that can recolonize after fire disturbance; seeds may benefit from post-fire open conditions.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid, rocky slopes
Propagation & Germination
Pre-treatment: Seed germination is stimulated by the presence of charred wood or aqueous extracts of it.
Establishment: G. splendens ssp. australis is found within mattoral vegetation association of California.
Source: npn.rngr.net