Phacelia austromontana
Southern sierra phacelia
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia austromontana (Southern sierra phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by unequal calyx lobes and narrow leaves help separate from relatives.
Southern sierra phacelia is a California native annual found in central Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, San Jacinto Mountains, White and Inyo Mountains, and Desert Mountains in open, sandy to rocky areas at elevations of 1,500 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pale blue to lavender flowers in delicate bell-shaped clusters approximately 3 to 6 millimeters long. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 5 to 27 centimeters tall, the plant is many-branched and lightly covered with puberulent and stiff hairs. Its leaves are 10 to 30 millimeters long, narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, and range from entire to slightly lobed. The fruit is a small ovoid structure 3 to 3.5 millimeters long, containing 2 to 4 pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 61 sympatric species; unequal calyx lobes and narrow leaves help separate from relatives
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy to rocky areas
Elevation: 1500-3000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Ventura, Tulare, Inyo, Fresno, Mono
Outside California: to southwestern Utah
Bloom period
Phacelia austromontana blooms May-Jun.
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 austromontana native to California?
Yes. Phacelia austromontana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia austromontana bloom?
Phacelia austromontana blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Phacelia austromontana grow?
Phacelia austromontana occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Los Angeles, Ventura, Tulare, Inyo, Fresno, Mono, at elevations of 1500-3000 m.
What plant family does Phacelia austromontana belong to?
Phacelia austromontana is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia austromontana grow in?
Phacelia austromontana grows in Open, sandy to rocky 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.