Overview
Collinsia parviflora is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae (previously Scrophulariaceae) known by the common names maiden blue eyed Mary and small-flowered collinsia. This tiny wildflower is a common plant throughout much of western and northern North America, where it grows in moist, shady mountain forests.
Description
Collinsia parviflora is an annual plant with a spindly reddish stem and narrow lance-shaped green leaves with edges that curl under. The minuscule flowers grow singly or in loose clusters of several flowers. Each flower has five lobes, the lower deep blue to purple and the upper white. The whole corolla is only a few millimeters across. The fruit is a small capsule.
Taxonomy
Collinsia parviflora was scientifically described and named in 1827 by John Lindley, who credited the work of David Douglas. It is classified in the genus Collinsia, part of the family Plantaginaceae. Mutants of this species show magenta and white flowers, instead of the typical blue, which is cause by epistasis. The leaves may show purple spots, depending on another mutation. The species has no varieties, but has two variety names among its eight heterotypic synonyms.
External links
* *Jepson Manual Treatment of Collinsia parviflora *Collinsia parviflora U.C. Photo gallery