Downingia willamettensis

Cascade downingia

Family: Campanulaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Cascade downingia is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native annual found in northwestern California, typically at elevations below 200 meters in edges of lakes, ponds, and vernal pools. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces blue and white flowers with distinctive lower lips featuring a central white area with two yellow spots surrounded by three purple spots. Growing with delicate stems typically 10 to 30 centimeters tall, the plant forms small compact clusters in seasonal wetland environments. Its leaves are relatively small and narrow, arranged alternately along the slender stems. The flower's unique color pattern, with blue petals and intricate white and yellow markings, makes it a striking inhabitant of ephemeral wetland habitats.

Habitat: Edges of lakes, ponds, vernal pools

Bloom period: Jun-Jul

Elevation: generally < 200 m (650 m, Lake Co.)

Bioregions: NW

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.