Platystemon

[2][3] Platystemon californicus is a variable plant taking such a wide range of forms it has been split, reorganized, and redescribed as up to 57 different species.

Coastal forms may be hairless and a bit succulent, while semidesert individuals can be squat, hairy plants.

Some authors describe separate varieties, which are ecotypes adapted to specific, often very limited, habitat types.

The inflorescence is a single flower growing from a leaf axil or the tip of the stem.

The fruit is a capsule up to 1.6 centimeters long which is divided into many sections containing shiny black seeds.

Desert individuals may be quite woolly or shaggy with whorled basal leaves. Flower buds are nodding with three overlapping and loosely touching sepals. [ 4 ]