Phacelia coerulea
Sky-blue phacelia
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Phacelia coerulea (Sky-blue phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by corrugated seed ridges and crescent scales distinctive.
Sky-blue phacelia is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in eastern Mojave Desert regions in open, sandy to rocky creosote-bush scrub areas at elevations of 1,400 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pale blue to pale purple flowers in small bell-shaped clusters approximately 3 to 5 millimeters long. Growing 12 to 40 centimeters tall with ascending to erect stems that are puberulent and sometimes branched at the base, it has an aromatic character. Its leaves are 15 to 70 millimeters long, generally oblong to oblanceolate, with lobes toward the base and crenate edges. The fruit is spherical, 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters long, containing generally 4 seeds with a distinctive corrugated margin.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; corrugated seed ridges and crescent scales distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy to rocky areas, generally in creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: 1400-2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial
Outside California: to Utah, Texas, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Phacelia coerulea blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 coerulea native to California?
Yes. Phacelia coerulea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia coerulea bloom?
Phacelia coerulea blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Phacelia coerulea grow?
Phacelia coerulea occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, at elevations of 1400-2000 m.
What plant family does Phacelia coerulea belong to?
Phacelia coerulea is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia coerulea rare or endangered?
Phacelia coerulea carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.