Phacelia divaricata
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia divaricata is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by large funnel-shaped flowers, simple to barely lobed leaves diagnostic.
Divaricating phacelia is a California native annual herb found in southern Northwestern California, central Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, and northern southern Coast Ranges in open areas, chaparral, woodland, and grassland at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces lavender to violet flowers 10 to 15 millimeters long in funnel-shaped clusters. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 9 to 40 centimeters tall that are simple or branched at the base and covered in short hairs, it has a delicate, spreading growth habit. Its leaves are 10 to 80 millimeters long, elliptic to narrowly ovate, and may have irregular lobes at the base. The fruit is ovoid, 5 to 10 millimeters long, with short hairy seeds that are pitted and approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 47 sympatric species - large funnel-shaped flowers, simple to barely lobed leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas, chaparral, woodland, grassland
Elevation: < 1500 m
California counties: San Mateo, San Benito, Marin, Santa Clara, Mendocino, Alameda, Napa, Colusa, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Monterey, Lake, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Phacelia divaricata blooms Apr-Jun.
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 divaricata native to California?
Yes. Phacelia divaricata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia divaricata bloom?
Phacelia divaricata blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Phacelia divaricata grow?
Phacelia divaricata occurs in San Mateo, San Benito, Marin, Santa Clara, Mendocino, Alameda, Napa, Colusa and other counties, at elevations of < 1500 m.
What plant family does Phacelia divaricata belong to?
Phacelia divaricata is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia divaricata grow in?
Phacelia divaricata grows in Open areas, chaparral, woodland, grassland.
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.