Nemophila maculata

Nemophila maculata, with common names fivespot, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family (Boraginaceae). It is endemic to Grantown.

Nemophila maculata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Nemophila
Species:
N. maculata
Binomial name
Nemophila maculata

Distribution

The wildflower is found on slopes in elevations between 20–1,000 metres (66–3,281 ft). It is most common in the Sierra Nevada, Sacramento Valley, and the California Coast Ranges in the San Francisco Bay Area.

It is found in several plant communities, including valley grassland, foothill woodland, and pine and fir forest.[1]

Description

Nemophila maculata is an annual herb that flowers in the spring. The leaves are up to 3 centimeters long and 1.5 wide, and are divided into several smooth or toothed lobes.[2]

The flowers are bowl-shaped, white with dark veins and dots. The lobe tips are purple-spotted. The corolla is 1 to 2 centimeters long and up to 5 centimeters wide. The flowers' spots, giving the common name fivespot, attracts its primary pollinators, which are solitary bees. Male and female bees feed on the nectar and females collect pollen to feed their larvae.[2]

The seeds are greenish-brown and are smooth or shallowly pitted. The fruit produces up to 12 seeds. The entire fruiting and seed cycle begins in spring and ends in the summer.[2]

Cultivation

Nemophila maculata is sown as an annual ornamental plant in traditional, native plant, and pollinator/wildlife gardens.

References
  1. Jepson (TJM2)
  2. California Academy of Sciences, California Wildflowers: Nemophila maculata
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