Authors: Kellogg  

Botanical Description

Tufted to small clump-forming, with pubescent stems 10-20cm in length, more or less prostrate in sun, semi-erect in shade. Leaves at base orbicular, 1.5-3cm wide, more or less succulent, those above ovate, toothed. Flowers up to 2cm wide, yellow, the upper two petals purple-flushed beneath, purple-brown-veined in the centre, spring to early summer. California and Oregon, on dry slopes at 550-1850m. A very variable species in stature, leaf shape and colour. The following subspecies usually have their foliage purple or grey-purple flushed: V.p. subsp. integrifolia, has many of the stems below ground, and basal green leaves subcordate to truncate with rounded tips and shallow irregular teeth; upper leaves lance-oblong to ovate, entire. Subsp. dimorpha, may have either well developed aerial stems or the upper leaves toothed. Subsp. geophyta, has the stems buried and leaf rosettes at ground level, the leaves as in subsp. integrifolia, but purplish and with coarse teeth. Subsp. atriplicifolia, produces broadly ovate to triangular-ovate leaves having large, almost lobelike teeth and a blunt point. Sagebrush scrub and juniper woodland.