Phacelia cryptantha
Hiddenflower phacelia
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia cryptantha (Hiddenflower phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by included stamens and narrow bell-shaped corolla diagnostic.
Hiddenflower phacelia is a California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, Santa Cruz and Monterey Islands, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, eastern Sierra Nevada, and Mojave Desert in gravelly or rocky slopes and canyons at elevations below 1,900 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces blue to lavender flowers in narrowly bell-shaped corollas 4 to 7 millimeters long. Growing 16 to 50 centimeters tall with generally erect stems that are puberulent and occasionally branched, it develops a distinctive growth habit with variable leaf structures. Its leaves range 20 to 150 millimeters long, with proximal leaves often lobed or compound and distal leaves typically compound, featuring segments with toothed edges. The fruit is approximately 4 to 5 millimeters long and nearly spherical, with short stiff hairs covering its surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 89 sympatric species - included stamens and narrow bell-shaped corolla diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly or rocky slopes, canyons
Elevation: < 1900 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, Imperial, Mono, San Benito, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Orange
Outside California: to Utah, Baja California
Bloom period
Phacelia cryptantha blooms Mar-May.
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 cryptantha native to California?
Yes. Phacelia cryptantha is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia cryptantha bloom?
Phacelia cryptantha blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Phacelia cryptantha grow?
Phacelia cryptantha occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, Imperial and other counties, at elevations of < 1900 m.
What plant family does Phacelia cryptantha belong to?
Phacelia cryptantha is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia cryptantha grow in?
Phacelia cryptantha grows in Gravelly or rocky slopes, canyons.
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.