Ipomopsis aggregata - Scarlet Gilia

Ipomopsis aggregata varies in height from 1-5 feet and in color from pink to red and rarely yellow. The Scarlet Gilia is pollinated by moths and hummingbirds. This perennial wildflower is native to much of the Western US. Ipomopsis aggregata was one of the plants found by Lewis and Clark. The leaves of Ipomopsis form a basal rosette with fewer leaves up the stalks. The dense cluster of red flowers makes the Scarlet Gilia a spectacular find when out hiking, the foliage gets the opposite reaction and leaves this plant sometimes honored with the common name Skunk Flower.. This photograph of Ipomopsis aggregata was taken along the trail to the top of El Capitan in Yosemite. Ipomopsis aggregata blooms from late Spring into early Summer. The Scarlet Gilia can be found in openings in the pine forest from 3,000-10,000 feet in elevation