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Downingia (Downingia)
Downingia is a genus of 13 annual plants native to western North America and Chile. The stems may be decumbent or erect, 10 to 40 cm in length, with narrow cauline leaves that may drop off before the flower develops. The flowers are typically inverted by the twisting of the ovary during blooming. Colors range from blue and pink to white, with the lower (larger) lip including a white or yellow patch. 
Lifespan
Annual
Key Facts About Downingia
Feedback
Attributes of Downingia
Leaf type
Deciduous
Scientific Classification of Downingia
Distribution of Downingia
Feedback
Distribution Map of Downingia
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Downingia
Feedback
Downingia typically thrive in environments with ample light and consistent moisture, favoring well-draining soils that remain damp but not waterlogged. They require moderate temperatures, avoiding extreme cold or heat. Gardeners might contend with snails, slugs, and fungal diseases as common challenges for downingia. Seasonal care adjustments include reduced watering in winter, and safeguarding the plants from high heat in summer. Ensuring a stable environment year-round is crucial for the successful cultivation of downingia.
Exploring the Downingia Plants
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8 most common species：
Maroon-spot calico-flower
This annual grows on a branching erect stem with small leaves at intervals. At the top of each stem branch is one or more flowers, each about 1 cm wide. The tubular flower has two long, narrow, pointed upper lobes which may be blue or purple. The three lower lobes are fused into one three-lobed surface, which is blue or purple with a large blotch of white in the center and blotches of maroon toward the mouth of the tube. There may also be speckles of yellow.
Elegant calicoflower
The tubular flower has two long, narrow, pointed upper lobes which are generally rich purple. The lower lip is fused into one three-lobed surface, which is purple with a large blotch of white in the center. The lobes may be quite pointed. There is sometimes some yellow coloration near the mouth of the tube.
Dwarf calicoflower
Dwarf calicoflower is a charming annual herb notable for its vibrant blue and white flowers, which display a striking yellow spot. It thrives in wet, vernally moist environments, often gracing the edges of vernal pools and marshes. The small stature of dwarf calicoflower belies its visual impact; it rarely exceeds a few inches, but its blossoms form a striking contrast with the green, wetland foliage.
Harlequin calicoflower
Harlequin calicoflower is an eye-catching wildflower featuring a set of striking blue to violet petals with a prominent yellow or white spot at the base. Its cup-shaped bloom is held aloft by slender stems, amidst sparse, linear leaves. Thriving in moist, vernal pool habitats, harlequin calicoflower's unique adaptation allows it to flourish briefly yet brilliantly when water is abundant in these transient ecosystems.
Hoover's calicoflower
Hoover's calicoflower is distinguished by its vibrant blue to purple flowers that showcase a striking white or yellow spot on the lower lobes, resembling an eye. This annual herb flourishes in wet, often ephemeral habitats, anchoring into moist soils that provide a fleeting yet vital cradle for its life cycle. Its funnel-shaped blossoms are a springtime beacon for pollinators, adding a splash of color to the marshy landscapes it calls home.
Toothed calicoflower
Toothed calicoflower is a captivating wildflower with striking blue and white blossoms, each petal etched with an intricate pattern. Typically found in wet meadows and vernal pools, its sharp-pointed lower petals aid in its distinction. Toothed calicoflower thrives in these seasonal wetlands, with its flowering tied to the fleeting water availability, a showcase of nature's resilience and timing.
Doublehorn calicoflower
Doublehorn calicoflower is a striking wetland flower, thriving in moist environments. It distinguishes itself with bold two-horned blooms that are typically vibrant blues and purples, accented by yellow and white centers. The plant's ability to grow in saturated soils allows it to stand out among aquatic vegetation, offering a burst of color at water's edge during its blooming season.
Flatface calicoflower
Flatface calicoflower is a striking wildflower with vivid blue to purple petals and a yellow and white blotched throat. Its trumpet-shaped blooms stand out against slender, grass-like leaves, adapted to seasonally wet, open habitats. Flatface calicoflower's beauty often marks the presence of vernal pools, a critical ecosystem for its growth and reproduction.
All Species of Downingia
Maroon-spot calico-flower
Maroon-spot calico-flower
This annual grows on a branching erect stem with small leaves at intervals. At the top of each stem branch is one or more flowers, each about 1 cm wide. The tubular flower has two long, narrow, pointed upper lobes which may be blue or purple. The three lower lobes are fused into one three-lobed surface, which is blue or purple with a large blotch of white in the center and blotches of maroon toward the mouth of the tube. There may also be speckles of yellow.
Elegant calicoflower
Elegant calicoflower
The tubular flower has two long, narrow, pointed upper lobes which are generally rich purple. The lower lip is fused into one three-lobed surface, which is purple with a large blotch of white in the center. The lobes may be quite pointed. There is sometimes some yellow coloration near the mouth of the tube.
Dwarf calicoflower
Dwarf calicoflower
Dwarf calicoflower is a charming annual herb notable for its vibrant blue and white flowers, which display a striking yellow spot. It thrives in wet, vernally moist environments, often gracing the edges of vernal pools and marshes. The small stature of dwarf calicoflower belies its visual impact; it rarely exceeds a few inches, but its blossoms form a striking contrast with the green, wetland foliage.
Harlequin calicoflower
Harlequin calicoflower
Harlequin calicoflower is an eye-catching wildflower featuring a set of striking blue to violet petals with a prominent yellow or white spot at the base. Its cup-shaped bloom is held aloft by slender stems, amidst sparse, linear leaves. Thriving in moist, vernal pool habitats, harlequin calicoflower's unique adaptation allows it to flourish briefly yet brilliantly when water is abundant in these transient ecosystems.
Hoover's calicoflower
Hoover's calicoflower
Hoover's calicoflower is distinguished by its vibrant blue to purple flowers that showcase a striking white or yellow spot on the lower lobes, resembling an eye. This annual herb flourishes in wet, often ephemeral habitats, anchoring into moist soils that provide a fleeting yet vital cradle for its life cycle. Its funnel-shaped blossoms are a springtime beacon for pollinators, adding a splash of color to the marshy landscapes it calls home.
Toothed calicoflower
Toothed calicoflower
Toothed calicoflower is a captivating wildflower with striking blue and white blossoms, each petal etched with an intricate pattern. Typically found in wet meadows and vernal pools, its sharp-pointed lower petals aid in its distinction. Toothed calicoflower thrives in these seasonal wetlands, with its flowering tied to the fleeting water availability, a showcase of nature's resilience and timing.
Doublehorn calicoflower
Doublehorn calicoflower
Doublehorn calicoflower is a striking wetland flower, thriving in moist environments. It distinguishes itself with bold two-horned blooms that are typically vibrant blues and purples, accented by yellow and white centers. The plant's ability to grow in saturated soils allows it to stand out among aquatic vegetation, offering a burst of color at water's edge during its blooming season.
Flatface calicoflower
Flatface calicoflower
Flatface calicoflower is a striking wildflower with vivid blue to purple petals and a yellow and white blotched throat. Its trumpet-shaped blooms stand out against slender, grass-like leaves, adapted to seasonally wet, open habitats. Flatface calicoflower's beauty often marks the presence of vernal pools, a critical ecosystem for its growth and reproduction.
Folded calicoflower
Folded calicoflower
Folded calicoflower is a striking wildflower notable for its vivid blue and white flowers, which bloom in a starry pattern atop slender, upright stems. Flourishing in wet, seasonally inundated meadows, this annual is adapted to take full advantage of brief wet periods. The plant's lower petal is marked by a yellow spot, serving as a guide for pollinators, while its foliage forms a delicate backdrop, often submerged when water is plentiful.
Bach's calicoflower
Bach's calicoflower
Bach's calicoflower is a captivating wildflower notable for its striking blue and white blossoms. These flowers showcase a peculiar lip pattern, making them easily identifiable. Thriving primarily in wet, ephemeral spring pools, bach's calicoflower has adapted to burst into rapid bloom, capitalizing on the brief window of water availability in its native habitats.
Sierra calicoflower
Sierra calicoflower
Sierra calicoflower is a flowering plant thriving in wet meadows and vernal pools, often characterized by its vibrant blue-violet blossoms with a distinctive yellow spot. This low-growing annual adapts to ephemeral springtime habitats, with its prolific seed production ensuring survival as its environment drastically changes from aquatic to arid through the seasons.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Downingia
Downingia
Downingia is a genus of 13 annual plants native to western North America and Chile. The stems may be decumbent or erect, 10 to 40 cm in length, with narrow cauline leaves that may drop off before the flower develops. The flowers are typically inverted by the twisting of the ovary during blooming. Colors range from blue and pink to white, with the lower (larger) lip including a white or yellow patch.
Lifespan
Annual
Key Facts About Downingia
Feedback
Attributes of Downingia
Leaf type
Deciduous
Scientific Classification of Downingia
Distribution of Downingia
Feedback
Distribution Map of Downingia
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Downingia
Feedback
Downingia typically thrive in environments with ample light and consistent moisture, favoring well-draining soils that remain damp but not waterlogged. They require moderate temperatures, avoiding extreme cold or heat. Gardeners might contend with snails, slugs, and fungal diseases as common challenges for downingia. Seasonal care adjustments include reduced watering in winter, and safeguarding the plants from high heat in summer. Ensuring a stable environment year-round is crucial for the successful cultivation of downingia.
Exploring the Downingia Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Maroon-spot calico-flower
This annual grows on a branching erect stem with small leaves at intervals. At the top of each stem branch is one or more flowers, each about 1 cm wide. The tubular flower has two long, narrow, pointed upper lobes which may be blue or purple. The three lower lobes are fused into one three-lobed surface, which is blue or purple with a large blotch of white in the center and blotches of maroon toward the mouth of the tube. There may also be speckles of yellow.
Elegant calicoflower
The tubular flower has two long, narrow, pointed upper lobes which are generally rich purple. The lower lip is fused into one three-lobed surface, which is purple with a large blotch of white in the center. The lobes may be quite pointed. There is sometimes some yellow coloration near the mouth of the tube.
Dwarf calicoflower
Dwarf calicoflower is a charming annual herb notable for its vibrant blue and white flowers, which display a striking yellow spot. It thrives in wet, vernally moist environments, often gracing the edges of vernal pools and marshes. The small stature of dwarf calicoflower belies its visual impact; it rarely exceeds a few inches, but its blossoms form a striking contrast with the green, wetland foliage.
Harlequin calicoflower
Harlequin calicoflower is an eye-catching wildflower featuring a set of striking blue to violet petals with a prominent yellow or white spot at the base. Its cup-shaped bloom is held aloft by slender stems, amidst sparse, linear leaves. Thriving in moist, vernal pool habitats, harlequin calicoflower's unique adaptation allows it to flourish briefly yet brilliantly when water is abundant in these transient ecosystems.
Show More Species
All Species of Downingia
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
