Phacelia exilis
Transverse range phacelia, Transverse Range Phacelia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Phacelia exilis (Transverse range phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by translucent petal areas, white pollen, entire leaves diagnostic.
Transverse range phacelia is a native annual herb found in southern Sierra Nevada, western Transverse Ranges, San Gabriel Mountains, and San Bernardino Mountains on sandy or rocky slopes and meadows at elevations of 1,100 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to August, this delicate plant produces lavender flowers 5 to 8 millimeters long with translucent petal areas. Growing 5 to 25 centimeters tall with decumbent to erect stems that are short-hairy and sometimes branched at the base, it has a distinctive growth pattern. Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate, 10 to 35 millimeters long, tapering to the petiole and appearing entire. The fruit is a small ovoid structure 3 to 5 millimeters long, covered in short hairs and glandular surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 53 sympatric species - translucent petal areas, white pollen, entire leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or rocky slopes, flats, meadows
Elevation: 1100-2700 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare, Ventura, Riverside
Bloom period
Phacelia exilis blooms May-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 exilis native to California?
Yes. Phacelia exilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia exilis bloom?
Phacelia exilis blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Phacelia exilis grow?
Phacelia exilis occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare, Ventura, Riverside, at elevations of 1100-2700 m.
What plant family does Phacelia exilis belong to?
Phacelia exilis is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia exilis rare or endangered?
Phacelia exilis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.