Gymnosteris parvula is a flowering plant in the phlox family known by the common name smallflower gymnosteris. It is native to the western United States from California to Montana. This is a small annual herb growing a thin green to red-colored stem only a few centimeters tall. There are no leaves; the word gymnosteris comes from the Greek for "naked stem". Atop the stem is a large, fleshy inflorescence with red-tinged green bracts that serve as leaves. Within the lobular inflorescence are one to five small flowers, each less than a centimeter long. The yellow-throated flower has yellow or white oval-shaped lobes with pointed tips. It is self-pollinating.
Taxonomy Gymnosteris parvula was scientifically described and named in 1900 by Amos Arthur Heller. It is part of the Gymnosteris genus which is classified in the Polemoniaceae family. The species has five synonyms.
Table of Synonyms Name Year Rank Notes Gilia parvula 1900 species ≡ hom. Gymnosteris leibergii 1921 species = het. Gymnosteris nudicaulis var. parvula 1925 variety ≡ hom. Gymnosteris parvula f. leibergii 1944 form = het. Gymnosteris rydbergii 1925 species ≡ hom., nom. illeg. Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym
References
External links Jepson eFlora NatureServe CalPhotos