Downingia
Downingia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Campanulaceae, subfamily Lobelioideae. These annual plants are commonly known as calicoflower.
Downingia species are native to western North America, primarily California, Oregon, and Washington, with some species extending into British Columbia and parts of the Southwestern United States and Mexico. They are typically found in vernal pools, moist meadows, and other seasonally wet habitats.
Downingia are generally small, delicate plants, often reaching only a few centimeters in height. They produce brightly colored flowers, often in shades of blue, purple, yellow, and white. The flowers are zygomorphic (bilaterally symmetrical) and have a distinctive lobed appearance.
The genus is named in honor of American botanist Andrew Jackson Downing (1815-1852).
Several species of Downingia are recognized, including:
- Downingia bacigalupii
- Downingia bella
- Downingia bicornuta
- Downingia brachyantha
- Downingia concolor
- Downingia cusickii
- Downingia elegans
- Downingia insignis
- Downingia laeta
- Downingia montana
- Downingia ornatissima
- Downingia pulchella
- Downingia yina
Downingia plants play an important ecological role, providing a food source for pollinators and contributing to the biodiversity of their native habitats. Conservation efforts are sometimes necessary to protect these sensitive plants and their unique environments from habitat loss and other threats.