Collomia linearis / tiny trumpet

Adjectives: annual, drought tolerant, native, widespread

Also known as: slenderleaf collomia, narrowleaf collomia

The tiny trumpet is an annual herb – widespread throughout the Valley, especially in the foothills and mountains, in meadows and in sagebrush. Mostly, it’s on dry open ground. But it is also so easy to overlook.

The plant itself has a velvety erect stem bearing narrow, lance-shaped leaves.  The teeny flowers – white or light pink – are borne in clusters at the top of the stem, with as many as 20 per cluster. Each flower has five small, rounded petals, and is only about 1/4 in. across. The clusters are in the axils of the very crowded nest or basket of upper leaves.