Phacelia brachyloba
Short lobed phacelia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia brachyloba (Short lobed phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by yellow tube/throat with white-pink lobes distinctive.
Short lobed phacelia is a California native annual found in southern coastal ranges and southwestern California in open or burned sandy areas at elevations below 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white or pink flowers in funnel- to bell-shaped corollas approximately 10 to 15 millimeters in diameter with yellow flower tube throats. Growing 7 to 60 centimeters tall with generally erect stems that are simple or branched at the base and covered in short hairs, the plant has a distinctly aromatic quality. Its leaves are 15 to 45 millimeters long, narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, deeply lobed or compound with segments that can be entire or toothed. Each plant produces 10 to 25 small seeds in an ovoid, compressed fruit with a short beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 51 sympatric species; yellow tube/throat with white-pink lobes distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open or burned, sandy areas
Elevation: < 2300 m
California counties: Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Benito, Merced, Marin
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Phacelia brachyloba blooms Apr-Jul.
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 brachyloba native to California?
Yes. Phacelia brachyloba is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia brachyloba bloom?
Phacelia brachyloba blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Phacelia brachyloba grow?
Phacelia brachyloba occurs in Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of < 2300 m.
What plant family does Phacelia brachyloba belong to?
Phacelia brachyloba is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia brachyloba grow in?
Phacelia brachyloba grows in Open or burned, sandy 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.