Withered Snapdragon Sairocarpus multiflorus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Antirrhinum glandulosum
- Antirrhinum multiflorum
- Antirrhinum thompsonii
- Phonetic Spelling
- sai-ro-KAR-pus mul-tih-FLOR-us
- Description
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Sierra Snapdragon is an annual or perennial flowering plant that is native to California. The plant is fast-growing, rounded, and bushy. It has tall stems, narrow green leaves, and showy rosy pink flowers.
The plant is found in the Central Coast Ranges, the Transverse Ranges, and parts of the Sierra Nevada foothills. It appears in disturbed or recently burned areas on lower mountain slopes.
The Sierra Snapdragon has many other common names including Multi-flowered Snapdragon, Sticky Snapdragon, Rose Snapdragon, and Withered Snapdragon.
The plant grows in rocky, sandy, clay, and loamy soils. It prefers dry, very well-drained soil and full sun. The plant is reproduced by seeds, but germination is poor. The seeds should be sown uncovered. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, and bees. it is also deer resistant.
The stems are tall, erect, and covered with hairs. The leaves are alternately arranged and racemes of showy pink to red flowers appear at the top of the stems.
The Sierra Snapdragon would be a lovely addition as an accent plant in a dry, well-draining, and sunny Cottage Garden or Pollinator Garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Pests include aphids and thrips. Mildew is may occur. They are sensitive to salt.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sairocarpus
- Species:
- multiflorus
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- California
- Distribution:
- Native: California--Central Sierra Nevada Foothills, Southern San Francisco Bay area, South Coast Range, Northern Channel Islands, and Transverse Ranges
- Wildlife Value:
- They attract hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, and bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a capsule that is oblique to ovid in shape. The seeds are ridged, black, and measure 1 mm.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are pale pink to red, glandular, hairy, and appear on terminal racemes. Each flower measures less than 3/4 inches long. They bloom from April to August.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate distally and sub-opposite proximally. The leaf blade is linear to lanceolate. The surfaces are glandular and hairy. The leaf measurement is about 3/4 to 2.5 inches long and 1/8 to 3/8 inches wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stem is erect, glandular, and hairy with a base woody. The stem measures from 4 inches to 60 inches tall.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
