| Diplacus pictus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Phrymaceae |
| Genus: | Diplacus |
| Species: | D. pictus |
| Binomial name | |
| Diplacus pictus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Diplacus pictus is a species ofmonkeyflower known by the common namecalico monkeyflower.[2][3][4][5][6]
The wildflower isendemic toCalifornia, found only above the southeasternSan Joaquin Valley withinKern County andTulare County.[2]
It is known only from the westernTehachapi Mountains and southernmostSierra Nevada foothills, at elevations of 135–1,250 metres (443–4,101 ft).[2][7][8] It grows in openCalifornia oak woodland habitat, in bare rocky soils around granite outcrops.[2][7]
It is a listedEndangered species on theCalifornia Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants.[9]
Diplacus pictus is a small annual herb growing from 2–38 centimetres (1–15 in) in height.[7]
The stem is hairy and rectangular in cross-section. The oppositely arranged leaves are somewhat oval in shape and up to 4.5 centimeters long.
The tubular base of the flower is encapsulated in a dark reddish calyx ofsepals with uneven lobes. The five-lobed flower has a maroon throat and the circular face is white with bold and intricately patterned purple-brown veining.[7] The bloom period varies from March to May.[7]