Downingia cuspidata
Encyclopedia
Downingia cuspidata is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family
Campanulaceae
The family Campanulaceae , of the order Asterales, contains about 2000 species in 70 genera of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and rarely small trees, often with milky non-toxic sap...

 known by the common name toothed calicoflower. This showy wildflower is native to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, where it is a resident of ponds, meadows, and vernal pool
Vernal pool
Vernal pools, also called vernal ponds or ephemeral pools, are temporary pools of water. They are usually devoid of fish, and thus allow the safe development of natal amphibian and insect species...

ecosystems throughout the state. Its range may extend into Mexico. 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 a centimeter wide. The tubular flower has two long, narrow, pointed upper lobes which may be blue or purple to nearly white. The lower lip is fused into one three-lobed surface, which is blue, purple, or white with a large blotch or two smaller blotches of yellow in the center, outlined in white. Each lobe may have a toothlike point.

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