Phacelia eisenii
Eisen's phacelia
(c) Pieter Pelser, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pieter Pelser · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia eisenii (Eisen's phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by very small size, tiny flowers, opposite basal leaves, deeply cleft style diagnostic.
Eisen's phacelia is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada in conifer forest and sandy or gravelly soils at elevations of 1,300 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces white to lavender bell-shaped flowers just 2 to 5 millimeters long. Growing with diminutive erect stems 2 to 10 centimeters tall that are glandular and short-hairy, it forms compact clusters in high-elevation mountain habitats. Its leaves are predominantly elliptic to oblanceolate, with the lowest leaves opposite and generally entire, measuring 10 to 25 millimeters in length. The small fruits are ovoid to spherical, 2 to 3 millimeters long and covered in short hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species - very small size, tiny flowers, opposite basal leaves, deeply cleft style diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly soils, conifer forest
Elevation: 1300-3400 m
California counties: Tulare, Fresno, Mariposa, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Inyo, Kern, Madera, Alameda, Mono
Bloom period
Phacelia eisenii blooms May-Jul.
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 eisenii native to California?
Yes. Phacelia eisenii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia eisenii bloom?
Phacelia eisenii blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Phacelia eisenii grow?
Phacelia eisenii occurs in Tulare, Fresno, Mariposa, Tuolumne, El Dorado, Inyo, Kern, Madera and other counties, at elevations of 1300-3400 m.
What plant family does Phacelia eisenii belong to?
Phacelia eisenii is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia eisenii grow in?
Phacelia eisenii grows in Sandy or gravelly soils, conifer forest.
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.