giant woollystar
Eriastrum densifolium (Benth.) H.Mason
Eriastrum densifolium is a flowering plant in the Polemoniaceae family, known as giant woollystar. It is native to California and Baja California, growing in open areas like sand dunes and dry washes. The plant has narrow, spike-shaped leaves and woolly foliage, often appearing dark gray-green. Its inflorescence is a dense cluster of funnel-shaped flowers, 1 to 3 cm long, with white to bright blue lobes, sometimes striped. The stamens extend from the flower's throat.
Description
Eriastrum densifolium (Benth.) H.Mason is a member of the Polemoniaceae family and is commonly called giant woollystar. It is found in California and the northwest regions of Mexico. The plant has an erect stem with narrow, pointed leaves and woolly, gray-green foliage. It produces a compact inflorescence at the top of the stem, surrounded by woolly bracts. The flowers are funnel-shaped, with a flat face up to 3–4 cm wide, and have white to bright blue lobes, often with longitudinal stripes. The stamens extend beyond the flower's throat. This species was first described in 1945.
Other common names
giant woollystar
Distribution
California · Mexico Northwest
Synonyms
Welwitschia densifoliaGilia hugeliaHugelia densifoliaNavarretia densifoliaNavarretia densifolia subsp. eu-densifoliaGilia densifolia