Sairocarpus multiflorus aka Sierra Snapdragon

Sairocarpus multiflorus is a flowering plant native to California. It belongs to the Plantaginaceae family and grows as an annual or perennial. Common names include Sierra snapdragon, rose snapdragon, and sticky snapdragon. Its range includes the southern San Francisco Bay area and coastal ranges. It also grows in the Sierra Nevada foothills and Transverse Ranges. The northern Channel Islands form another part of its range. It occurs on lower mountain slopes, including disturbed and recently burned ground.

The plant grows fast and forms a rounded, bushy shape. Its upright green stems have hairs and glands. Their bases become woody, and the stems have no scent. Reported stem heights range from 0.33 to 5 feet [0.10–1.52 metres]. Narrow green leaves range from linear to lanceolate in shape. They measure about 0.06–0.21 feet [0.019–0.064 metres] long. Fine hairs and glands cover their surfaces as well. Lower leaves grow in nearly opposite pairs along the stem. Higher leaves grow one at a time in an alternate pattern.

Flowers bloom from April through August, spanning spring and summer. Their shades range from pale pink to red. Each flower has lips, hairs, and glands on its surface. Flowers measure less than 0.063 feet [0.019 metres] long. They form racemes at the ends of the stems. The fruit is a capsule with an oval or slanted shape. It holds black, ridged seeds about one millimetre long. The flowers draw bees, moths, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Grow this plant in full sun with very good drainage. It prefers dry soil and can grow in several soil types. These include rocky ground, sand, loam, and clay. NC State lists acid soil and USDA zones 8–10. It rates the plant as easy to grow and low-maintenance. Seed is the listed means of propagation, though germination can be poor. Sow the seeds on the surface without covering them.

This snapdragon suits sunny cottage gardens and gardens for pollinators. It can serve as an accent on slopes or banks. Rock gardens and dry gardens are other listed uses. Deer tend to leave it alone, but other problems occur. Aphids and thrips can attack it, and mildew may develop. The plant is also sensitive to salt. ASPCA lists it under its former name, Antirrhinum multiflorum. It reports no toxicity to dogs, cats, or horses. That safety listing does not establish that people can eat it.