Narrow-leaf Mountain Trumpet
Collomia linearis
Phlox family (Polemoniaceae)
When Collomia seed mature, they split open but remain in the . As the dries and shrinks, the splits the open under pressure thus sending seeds shooting in all directions. The seeds produce spiraling threads which help anchor them to the soil. This Collomia is the most widespread member of its and is found in all Western states. "Collomia," from the Greek "colla," "glue," refers to the sticky seeds.
linear -- Long and very narrow like a blade of grass.
lobe -- A rounded parts of a leaf (or other organ).
A herb is a plant whose stems die back to the ground in the winter.
An annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle, from germination to the production of seed, within one year, and then dies.
calyx -- the sepals of a flower, typically forming a whorl that encloses the petals and forms a protective layer around a flower in bud.
terminal -- Located at the end (the tip or the apex).
Glands are plant structures that secrete liquids, salts or other substances. Glands often appear as hairs with a drop of liquid at the end.
capsule -- a type of simple, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. In most cases the capsule splits apart to release seeds.
fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.
lanceolate -- Lance-shaped. Long, wider in the middle.
genus -- A subdivision of a botanical Family in which all members have a significant number of similar characteristics.
leaves alternate along the main stem and are attached singly.