About Diplacus puniceus Nutt.
Diplacus puniceus Nutt. is a perennial, hairless evergreen subshrub or shrub. On average, mature plants reach 24 inches (60 cm) in height and 36 inches (90 cm) in width. Its leaves are typically linear-lanceolate in shape, with mostly smooth margins and pointed tips. Leaf edges are tightly rolled under, and the uniformly green leaves are hairless like the rest of the plant. Each leaf node produces between two and four flowers. Flower stalks (pedicels) measure 9 to 22 mm long, the calyx is 19 to 27 mm in size, and the throat of the corolla tube measures 27 to 35 mm long. The corolla is slightly curved downward, and ranges in color from dark orange to red. This species flowers from March to June. The plant is distributed across Southern California, where it grows on granite outcrops, in chaparral openings, and in disturbed areas at elevations between 100 and 700 meters. It is most abundant in the coastal regions of San Diego County, Orange County, and Riverside County. It also grows along the Pacific Coast of Baja California, ranging from the area around Tijuana south to El Rosario.
