Phacelia cicutaria
Caterpillar phacelia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia cicutaria (Caterpillar phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by caterpillar-like inflorescence and distinctive fruit hairs diagnostic.
Caterpillar phacelia is a California native annual herb found in various California bioregions, thriving in diverse habitats at elevations across the state. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small lavender to white flowers in dense clusters with distinctive long-haired inflorescences. Growing 18 to 60 centimeters tall with ascending to erect stems that are stiff and glandular-hairy, it develops a robust and somewhat branching habit. Its leaves are deeply lobed or compound, typically 20 to 150 millimeters long, with ovate to oblong blades that have toothed segments. The fruit develops small spherical seed capsules covered in stiff, bulb-based hairs over one millimeter long, each containing two to four pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 94 sympatric species; caterpillar-like inflorescence and distinctive fruit hairs diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Tulare, Kern, Inyo, Mariposa, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Solano, Riverside, Sutter, Madera, El Dorado, Sacramento, Amador, Calaveras, Merced, Fresno, Butte, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Lake, San Luis Obispo, Tuolumne
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 cicutaria native to California?
Yes. Phacelia cicutaria is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Phacelia cicutaria grow?
Phacelia cicutaria occurs in Tulare, Kern, Inyo, Mariposa, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and other counties.
What plant family does Phacelia cicutaria belong to?
Phacelia cicutaria is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
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.