Phacelia argentea
Sand dune phacelia
(c) Brodie Cass Talbott, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
Phacelia argentea (Sand dune phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by coastal dune habitat and fleshy round leaves diagnostic.
Sand dune phacelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in northern coastal California, specifically Del Norte County, in sand dune habitats at elevations below 20 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in bell-shaped corollas 4 to 6 millimeters wide. Growing 10 to 45 centimeters tall with prostrate to ascending stems that are stiff-hairy, it has a somewhat fleshy appearance. Its thick leaves are 20 to 120 millimeters long, typically elliptic to obovate, with deeply impressed veins and no more than two basal lobes. The plant produces ovoid, stiff-hairy fruits containing one to three pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; coastal dune habitat and fleshy round leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand dunes
Elevation: < 20 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Phacelia argentea blooms May-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
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 argentea native to California?
Yes. Phacelia argentea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia argentea bloom?
Phacelia argentea blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Phacelia argentea belong to?
Phacelia argentea is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia argentea rare or endangered?
Phacelia argentea carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Phacelia argentea grow in?
Phacelia argentea grows in Sand dunes.
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.