# Linearleaf Phacelia (*phacelia linearis*)

The Linearleaf Phacelia has long, slender leaves that look like little green ribbons! Its beautiful purple flowers attract lots of buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 3
- **Habitat:** Linearleaf Phacelia thrives in sunny fields and open grasslands.
- **Also known as:** Ribbonleaf Flower, Ribbons of Phacelia

![Linearleaf Phacelia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phacelia_linearis_9749.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phacelia_linearis_9749.JPG)

## Appearance

The Linearleaf Phacelia has slender stems and narrow, bright green leaves. Its compact clusters of bell-shaped flowers bloom in shades of lavender to deep purple, sometimes white, making it visually distinct.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Boraginales
- **Family:** Hydrophyllaceae
- **Genus:** Phacelia

## Interesting facts

- It's a champion for attracting beneficial insects to gardens, acting like a natural pest control!
- Its flower clusters elegantly uncurl like a fern fiddlehead as they bloom!
- Some Phacelias are called 'scorpion-weed' because their coiled flower stalk resembles a scorpion's tail!
- The name 'Phacelia' comes from a Greek word meaning 'bundle' for its clustered flowers!

## Special abilities

- **Hairy Defender:** Linearleaf Phacelia has tiny, bristly hairs on its leaves and stems that can deter hungry insects from taking a bite.
- **Nectar Beacon:** Linearleaf Phacelia produces sweet nectar that attracts buzzing bees, helping it spread its seeds far and wide.
- **Early Riser:** This plant can bloom early in the spring, giving it a head start on collecting sunshine and attracting pollinators.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-40 cm
- **Spread:** 10-30 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring_early_summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Annual
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen
- **Pollinates:** Two-Form Bumble Bee (*Bombus bifarius*) — visits flowers for nectar
- **Pollinates:** Viereck's Sweat Bee (*Lasioglossum vierecki*) — a common native bee pollinator

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Linearleaf Phacelia?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Linearleaf Phacelia?

10-40 cm

### How wide does Linearleaf Phacelia spread?

10-30 cm

### How big are the flowers on Linearleaf Phacelia?

0.5-1.5 cm

### When does Linearleaf Phacelia bloom?

Spring_early_summer

### Is Linearleaf Phacelia edible?

No

### Is Linearleaf Phacelia toxic?

Mild

### What is Linearleaf Phacelia's lifecycle?

Annual

## Where to spot

- [Lake Missoula](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-missoula) — Montana, US · Natural Landmark
- [P Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/p-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site
- [Manito Park and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/manito-park-and-botanical-gardens) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden
- [Devils Tower National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/devils-tower-national-monument) — Wyoming, US · National Park

[View all places to see Linearleaf Phacelia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/linearleaf-phacelia)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Linearleaf Phacelia: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/linearleaf-phacelia)