California phacelia
ExplorePlants
California phacelia
Phacelia californica
California phacelia is a pretty flower that grows in sunny places. It has lovely purple blooms that attract bees and butterflies, making it a favorite in gardens and nature.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The California phacelia has tall, often branched stems with soft, hairy, gray-green leaves. Its striking purple-blue bell-shaped flowers grow in coiled clusters that unfurl as they bloom. Each flower features prominent stamens, giving them a fuzzy appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBoraginalesFamilyHydrophyllaceaeGenusPhacelia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
California phacelia is a favorite nectar snack for many different kinds of native bees and butterflies!
Its spiral flower stalks look like a scorpion's tail, slowly uncurling as new flowers open!
Sometimes called 'scorpion weed,' but don't worry, it doesn't sting like a scorpion!
This plant can grow on rocky slopes, holding tight with its roots even in tough places!
Special abilities
Ability
Drought Defender
California phacelia has fuzzy leaves and stems that help it conserve water, allowing it to thrive in dry, sunny environments.
Ability
Coiled Bloom Strategy
California phacelia develops flower clusters that uncoil over time, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh blooms for pollinators.
Ability
Herbivore Deterrent
California phacelia has fuzzy leaves and stems that deter some hungry animals from munching on them.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-100 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Yellow-faced bumble bee
Bombus vosnesenskii
visits its blooms for sweet nectar and pollen
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen from its flowers
pollinates
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
sips nectar from the numerous small flowers
Traits
Bell-Shaped Flower
Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick flowers, so everyone can enjoy them!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is California phacelia?
30-100 cm
How wide does California phacelia spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on California phacelia?
0.5-1 cm
When does California phacelia bloom?
Spring to early summer
Is California phacelia edible?
No
Is California phacelia toxic?
Mild
What is California phacelia's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is California phacelia pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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