Native Oregon wildflower identification - Ask Extension
Dear OSU,
I sowed this packet of wildflower seeds from Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services. I would like to identify the flowers that grew fro...
Knowledgebase
Native Oregon wildflower identification #298556
Asked January 28, 2016, 12:24 PM EST
Dear OSU,
I sowed this packet of wildflower seeds from Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services. I would like to identify the flowers that grew from the seeds. Please see photos attached.
I currently grow them at my community garden, but was recently cited as "out of compliance" because I was letting the wildflowers go to seed. I observed over the years that reseeding is required for the magenta flower. That wildflower also has beautiful shades of salmon, red, and purple.
Thank you! Paolo Galullo
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
The yellow flower is Rudbeckia hirta (coneflower), even though it is not listed on the seed packet. The pink flower is Godetia, but it looks more like Clarkia unguiculata than C. amoena.
Shame on the folks who cited you for letting your wildflowers go to seed. The seeds of native flowers provide forage for insects and birds, and if they self sow, they conserve resources that would otherwise be spent re-planting them. Portland Metro itself promotes native plants https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0ahUKEwj..., Perhaps you can do some educating and bring those folks around. There are some more resources here:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/yamhill/eco-gardening/native-plant-gardening. Good luck!
Shame on the folks who cited you for letting your wildflowers go to seed. The seeds of native flowers provide forage for insects and birds, and if they self sow, they conserve resources that would otherwise be spent re-planting them. Portland Metro itself promotes native plants https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0ahUKEwj..., Perhaps you can do some educating and bring those folks around. There are some more resources here:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/yamhill/eco-gardening/native-plant-gardening. Good luck!
Dear Expert,
The purple flower, based on your information, is clarkia unguiculata. Is this a native Oregon wildflower?
The yellow flower you identified as Rudbeckia hirta. Is this a native Oregon wildflower as well? I am confused by the name because it seems to apply to a number of flowers. Mine has distinctive leaves that seem to indicate it is adapted to a drier climate; the center is also flat on top. I did a web search and saw different varieties. The one I provided in the photo I have only seen in a few places, mainly Bend, Oregon. I have another Rudbeckia in my garden, but I believe it is the East Coast variety.
Kind regards,
Paolo Galullo
Hi, Paul,
Clarkia unguiculata is actually a California native. C. amoena, listed on your package, is an Oregon native has very different flowers, pale with a darker spot. There are other Clarkias which are native to Oregon, and it is possible it is one of them instead of C. unguiculata, but it would be necessary to examine the plant in person to tell for sure.
Rudbeckia hirta is very widespread in the U.S., and considered native in many places including Oregon. It is variable, both in leaf and flower, so you may well have one that is adapted to a drier place. Also, the size and flatness of the cone varies as it ages, so photos can be deceiving!
Clarkia unguiculata is actually a California native. C. amoena, listed on your package, is an Oregon native has very different flowers, pale with a darker spot. There are other Clarkias which are native to Oregon, and it is possible it is one of them instead of C. unguiculata, but it would be necessary to examine the plant in person to tell for sure.
Rudbeckia hirta is very widespread in the U.S., and considered native in many places including Oregon. It is variable, both in leaf and flower, so you may well have one that is adapted to a drier place. Also, the size and flatness of the cone varies as it ages, so photos can be deceiving!
