Pholistoma auritum
fiesta flower
California and northern Baja California
SunPart Shade – Full Shade
WaterMedium
Overview
Pholistoma auritum is a sprawling annual growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) long, with weak, brittle, four-angled stems set with tiny recurved prickles that catch on surrounding plants and let it scramble upward. The deeply lobed leaves are 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long, the upper ones clasping the stem with ear-like bases. Bowl-shaped flowers 0.5-1 inch (12-25 mm) across have five blue to violet petals, often paler or white toward the center with darker spots, blooming in spring. The fruit is a small rounded capsule with a few seeds. It grows in shaded, moist places among rocks, on canyon slopes, and under shrubs in chaparral and woodland, mainly in California and northern Baja California. As a cool-season annual it germinates with autumn and winter rain, flowers in spring, and dies as the soil dries. The clinging prickles can catch on clothing. It self-sows where the soil stays moist into spring.
Native Range
Pholistoma auritum is native to California and northern Baja California, Mexico, with scattered occurrences in Arizona. It grows in shaded, moist, often rocky places on canyon slopes, among boulders, and beneath shrubs in chaparral, coastal scrub, and oak woodland.Suggested Uses
Planted in shaded native and woodland gardens, on moist banks, and among rocks where it can scramble. It suits informal, naturalistic plantings under shrubs. The spring flowers draw native bees and other early pollinators.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Bloom Information
Blue to violet flowers open in spring, generally March to May, after the cool, wet months. Bloom continues for several weeks while soil moisture lasts. Flowering ends as the plant dries in late spring.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue to violetFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Pholistoma auritum in part to full shade in moist, loose, well-drained soil with a pH from 6.0 to 7.5. It is a cool-season annual that germinates with autumn and winter rain and flowers in spring, so seed is sown in autumn for spring bloom. It needs steady moisture through the growing season and fades quickly as the soil dries in summer. The sprawling stems lean on neighboring plants or low supports. It self-sows where conditions stay moist and shaded. No feeding is needed in average soil.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Plants can be pulled or cut once they finish flowering and set seed. Leaving some plants to ripen seed maintains the stand from year to year.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons
✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Days to Maturity
90–150 days
Plant Spacing
12 inches