Grand Collomia

collomia grandiflora

Grand Collomia (Collomia grandiflora) is a striking annual wildflower native to western North America, renowned for its dense, head-like clusters of tubular flowers. Rising elegantly on upright stems, this member of the phlox family paints dry, sunny landscapes with beautiful shades of salmon, peach, and cream. It is highly valued by native pollinators and nature enthusiasts alike for its rugged resilience and late spring to summer beauty. Thriving in sandy, gravelly, or disturbed soils, Grand Collomia serves as a pioneer species that stabilizes soils and provides early-season sustenance to insects. Its unique reproductive strategy and tough nature make it a fascinating study in plant adaptation, holding a special place in the ecology of open woodlands, chaparrals, and montane slopes.

Habitat: Typically found on dry, open slopes, rocky hillsides, forest edges, and disturbed soils like roadsides across western North America.

Appearance

This upright annual herb grows from 10 to 100 centimeters tall, featuring a sturdy, usually unbranched, slightly hairy stem. The alternate, lance-shaped leaves are bright green and lack stalks near the top of the plant. The most distinctive feature is the terminal, dense, rounded cluster of showy, trumpet-shaped flowers. Each trumpet flares into five lobes, displaying a range of unusual colors from pale cream and yellow to warm salmon, peach, or light orange. Prominent blue or white anthers peek out from the throat of the flowers, creating a lovely contrast against the warm-toned petals.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyPolemoniaceaeGenusCollomia

Grand Collomia

Interesting facts

Grand Collomia's warm salmon-peach flower color is highly unusual among North American wildflowers, making it easily distinguishable.

Its self-pollinating closed flowers act as a biological insurance policy, guaranteeing survival even if no insects visit the plant.

The genus name 'Collomia' is derived from the Greek word for 'glue', highlighting the plant's fascinating sticky seed coat.

Special abilities

Upon contact with moisture, the outer coating of the seeds swells into a sticky gel that glues the seed to the soil, preventing wind dispersal and conserving vital hydration.

In addition to showy open flowers, the plant can produce small, closed flowers that self-pollinate internally, ensuring seed production even under harsh conditions.

As an annual, it germinates rapidly with spring moisture, flowering and setting seed before the intense heat and dry spells of late summer set in.

Measurements & details

Length: 10-100 cm
Weight: 0.01-0.15 kg
Lifespan: 1 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic plant, Grand Collomia produces its own energy using sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and essential mineral nutrients drawn from the soil.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Carbon dioxide
Water
Soil minerals

Ecological connections

mutualism

Yellow-faced Bumble Bee

Bombus vosnesenskii

Pollinates the showy open flowers, seeking nectar and pollen.

eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Grazes on the foliage and flower heads during late spring.

mutualism

Western Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio rutulus

Visits the flowers for nectar, acting as a crucial pollinator in dry meadow ecosystems.

Traits

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Also known as

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Grand Collomia?

The easiest way to identify Grand Collomia is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Grand Collomia?

10-100 cm

How much does Grand Collomia weigh?

0.01-0.15 kg

How long does Grand Collomia live?

1 years

What does Grand Collomia eat?

As a photosynthetic plant, Grand Collomia produces its own energy using sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and essential mineral nutrients drawn from the soil.

Where is Grand Collomia usually found?

Typically found on dry, open slopes, rocky hillsides, forest edges, and disturbed soils like roadsides across western North America.