Phacelia damnationensis
Damnation pass phacelia
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Phacelia damnationensis (Damnation pass phacelia) is a native California perennial in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by unique cream-green flowers and brown varnish on stems.
Damnation pass phacelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in open rocky mountain slopes in conifer forest at elevations of 975 to 1,430 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces cream to apple-green flowers occasionally lavender-tinged, with bell-shaped blooms 7 to 9 millimeters in diameter. Growing 30 to 91 centimeters tall with decumbent to ascending stems that are densely glandular-hairy and leave a distinctive brown varnish, it has a brittle growth habit. Its leaves are ovate, 9 to 95 millimeters long, with coarsely toothed edges and glandular hairs, displaying a delicate texture. The plant produces small ovoid fruits 3 to 5 millimeters long, with 5 to 12 seeds that have a distinctive net-like pitted surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinguished by unique cream-green flowers and brown varnish on stems
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open rocky, gravelly mountain slopes in conifer forest
Elevation: 975-1430 m
Bloom period
Phacelia damnationensis blooms Jun-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 damnationensis native to California?
Yes. Phacelia damnationensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia damnationensis bloom?
Phacelia damnationensis blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Phacelia damnationensis belong to?
Phacelia damnationensis is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia damnationensis rare or endangered?
Phacelia damnationensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Phacelia damnationensis grow in?
Phacelia damnationensis grows in Open rocky, gravelly mountain slopes in conifer forest.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.