Phacelia amabilis
Saline valley phacelia
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3.3
Phacelia amabilis (Saline valley phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by large white flowers and exserted stamens distinctive.
Saline valley phacelia is a rare (CNPS 3.3) California native annual found in the Mojave Desert at elevations of 500 to 700 meters in gravelly soils and canyons, now presumed extinct. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white flowers in bell-shaped corollas approximately 8 to 12 millimeters in diameter. Growing 10 to 60 centimeters tall with decumbent to erect stems that are few-branched and sparsely soft-hairy, it has a glandular appearance with dark-colored glands. Its leaves range from 20 to 150 millimeters long, with proximal leaves deeply lobed and oblong, featuring crenate to toothed edges, and distal leaves more ovate with coarse teeth. The fruit is small, ovoid, and 3 to 4 millimeters long, containing 2 to 4 seeds with finely textured surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; large white flowers and exserted stamens distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Presumed extinct; gravelly soils, canyons
Elevation: 500-700 m
Bloom period
Phacelia amabilis blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 3.3
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 amabilis native to California?
Yes. Phacelia amabilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia amabilis bloom?
Phacelia amabilis blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Phacelia amabilis belong to?
Phacelia amabilis is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia amabilis rare or endangered?
Phacelia amabilis carries California Rare Plant Rank 3.3, state rank SH.
What habitat does Phacelia amabilis grow in?
Phacelia amabilis grows in Presumed extinct; gravelly soils, canyons.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.