Phacelia floribunda
Many-flowered phacelia
(c) Sula Vanderplank, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sula Vanderplank · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Phacelia floribunda (Many-flowered phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by on islands - geographic isolation on Channel Islands diagnostic.
Many-flowered phacelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the southern Channel Islands including San Clemente and Santa Barbara islands in coastal-sage scrub habitats at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces pale blue to lavender bell-shaped flowers 5 to 8 millimeters long with distinctive purple pollen. Growing 10 to 60 centimeters tall with erect, branched stems that are minutely glandular-soft-hairy, it has an aromatic quality. Its leaves are approximately ovate and compound, with 50 to 180 millimeters of leaflets that are scalloped or lobed, creating a delicate, intricate foliage structure. The fruit is small, ovoid, and short-hairy, containing 1 to 4 pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species on islands - geographic isolation on Channel Islands diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ravines, generally coastal-sage scrub
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura
Outside California: Baja California (Guadalupe Island)
Bloom period
Phacelia floribunda blooms Feb-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 floribunda native to California?
Yes. Phacelia floribunda is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia floribunda bloom?
Phacelia floribunda blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Phacelia floribunda grow?
Phacelia floribunda occurs in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Phacelia floribunda belong to?
Phacelia floribunda is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia floribunda rare or endangered?
Phacelia floribunda carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.