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Withered Snapdragon Sairocarpus multiflorus

Previously known as:

  • Antirrhinum glandulosum
  • Antirrhinum multiflorum
  • Antirrhinum thompsonii
Phonetic Spelling
sai-ro-KAR-pus mul-tih-FLOR-us
Description

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:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#pink flowers#red flowers#perennial flowers#deer resistant#annual flowers#pollinator plant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#pink flowers#red flowers#perennial flowers#deer resistant#annual flowers#pollinator plant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#accent
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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