Phacelia adenophora
Glandular yellow phacelia
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia adenophora (Glandular yellow phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by yellow flowers are highly diagnostic among phacelias.
Glandular yellow phacelia is a California native annual found in northern Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau in open areas at elevations of 1,200 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow flowers occasionally with purple lobes, measuring 3.5 to 8 millimeters long in narrowly bell-shaped clusters. Growing with spreading to ascending stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall that are branched at the base and short-hairy, it has a delicate and distinctive appearance. Its leaves are 10 to 30 millimeters long, with oblong to nearly ovate blades that are deeply lobed, featuring entire or toothed edges. The fruit is small and oblong, typically 2.5 to 6 millimeters long and containing fewer than 15 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; yellow flowers are highly diagnostic among phacelias
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas
Elevation: 1200-2600 m
California counties: Lassen, Modoc
Outside California: Oregon, western Nevada
Bloom period
Phacelia adenophora blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Nemophila: Phacelia has flowers in coiled scorpion-tail clusters; Nemophila has solitary showy flowers at leaf axils.; vs Eucrypta: Phacelia is typically non-sticky with seeds that fall out cleanly; Eucrypta feels very sticky and retains 1-2 seeds in fruit.; vs Pholistoma: Phacelia has coiled flower clusters; Pholistoma has flowers scattered along stems with backward-pointing stem bristles.; vs Echium: Phacelia has coiled clusters of small flowers; Echium has large showy blue-purple flowers in tall spike-like clusters.; vs Gilia: Phacelia has coiled flower clusters and bristly foliage; Gilia has flowers in round heads or loose clusters with smoother foliage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phacelia adenophora native to California?
Yes. Phacelia adenophora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia adenophora bloom?
Phacelia adenophora blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Phacelia adenophora grow?
Phacelia adenophora occurs in Lassen, Modoc, at elevations of 1200-2600 m.
What plant family does Phacelia adenophora belong to?
Phacelia adenophora is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia adenophora grow in?
Phacelia adenophora grows in Open areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.