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Native Plant Propagation Guidelines:
forbs

Collinsia parviflora (small-flowered blue-eyed Mary)

Category: 
forbs

photo by Emily Gonzales

Annual herb 5-40 cm tall from a taproot. Leafy stems usually erect of ascending, however, sometimes long and sprawling; may be simple or branched. Middle and upper leaves are opposite (or whorled), oblong to lance-shaped, 1-4 cm long, though smaller and bract-like in the inflorescence. Lower leaves are oblong to spoon-shaped and are stalked. Leaves: Leaves are usually hairless while stems are often covered in minute hairs that may be glandular. Flowers: Flowers are two-lipped, 4-8 mm long. The upper lip is white and two lobed; the lower lip is blue and three lobed; four stamens. Flowers are borne in the leaf axils on hairy stalks. Fruit: Fruit is a smooth, reddish-brown capsule 3-5 mm long, football-shaped, usually bearing four seeds (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994). Photo by Emily Gonzales.

Scientific Name: 

Collinsia parviflora Dougl. ex Lindl.

Family: 
Scrophulariaceae
English Name: 
small-flowered blue-eyed Mary

Geographical Range and Habitat Requirements

Ecological Setting: 

Rocky outcrops in coastal Douglas-fir zone. Areas that dry out rapidly in summer. Low to middle elevations but occasionally higher. Absent from the wet outer coast. Occurs in BC extending south to California and east to Manitoba, Michigan, Colorado and Arizona (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994; Ganders and Krause, 1986; Elle, 2002).

Soil Texture: 

Medium textured soils (Klinka et al., 1989).

Nutrients: 

Nitrogen rich soils (Klinka et al., 1989).

Soil Reaction and Salinity: 

pH 6 to 7. No tolerance of salinity (Klinka et al., 1989).

Moisture Regime: 

Dry to moderately dry (Klinka et al., 1989).

Shade Tolerance: 

Shade intolerant (Klinka et al., 1989).

Successional Status: 

Early successional in fields and forests but persistent in open grasslands and rocky slopes (C. Burton, personal communication).

BEC Zone and GOE Community Status: 

Common in Garry oak outcrop ecosystems (Erickson, 1996).

Uses

Site Rehabilitation: 

Possible use as an initial cover crop because it is shallowly-rooted, blooms early and then dies back. Can be removed early in the growing season by mowing to allow naturally regenerating or sown native vegetation to emerge (C. Burton, personal communication).

Wildlife: 
n/a
Landscaping: 

Attractive plant with potential for the dry garden.

First Nations: 
n/a
Other Uses: 
n/a

Seed Propagation

Flowering Time: 

April to May

Fruit Ripening Time: 

May to June

Seed Collection Time: 

May to June

Crop Intervals: 

Annual

Number of Seeds per Kilogram: 

1.255 million

Seed Viability: 

< 50%

Fruit and Seed Collection and Extraction: 

Harvest in the wild or from seed multiplication plots when capsules turn brown and start to split. Check seed capsules regularly to ensure they don't become over-ripe and dehisce before collection. Place a bag over the seed heads to prevent seed loss and clip flower heads with hand clippers. Shake bags to release seeds. Winnow or fan to remove dust and chaff.

Seed Storage: 

No information available. Assume dry storage in sealed containers at 5º C.

Fruit/Seed Dormancy and Treatment: 

Sow early in the spring because seeds germinate better under cool conditions.

Vegetative Propagation

Not applicable since this is an annual species.

Outplanting Characteristics and Requirements

Establish either by direct sowing or by nursery-grown plugs.

Seed and Cutting Propagation Techniques

n/a

Additional Information and Photos

For more information and pictures, visit the E-Flora BC website at www.eflora.bc.ca.

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