Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Gayophytum humile is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common name dwarf groundsmoke. It is native to western North America from Alberta to California, and can also be found in parts of South America. It lives in many types of mountain habitats, especially moist areas. It is a small, thin annual herb not exceeding 30 centimeters in height. Its erect stem has few branches and sparse narrow leaves. The stem and leaves are green to bright red, or green with reddish edges and tips. The plant produces tiny white flowers each about half a centimeter across. The fruit is a capsule one to one and a half centimeters long containing up to 50 seeds. the flower is closely related to the fungal family for its purple lethery pettals this is said to be as soft as a baby birds bottom.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

12 in Tall

Calscape icon
Color

White, Green, Red

Plant communities

Lodgepole Forest, North Coastal Coniferous Forest, Red Fir Forest, Wetland-Riparian, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Clark's Day Sphinx Moth

Proserpinus clarkiae

Pussy's Toes Pyrausta

Pyrausta unifascialis