Phacelia grisea
Grey phacelia
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia grisea (Grey phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by white/pale flowers, 2 translucent areas per petal, white pollen diagnostic.
Grey phacelia is a California native annual herb found in southern Coast Ranges and western Transverse Ranges in gravelly chaparral slopes at elevations of 300 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white or pale lavender flowers in widely bell-shaped clusters approximately 5 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with erect, branched stems 10 to 60 centimeters tall that are stiff-hairy and finely glandular, it has a distinctive upright form. Its leaves are lanceolate to widely ovate, 10 to 80 millimeters long, with toothed or lobed edges. The fruit is a small ovoid structure 4 to 5 millimeters long, covered in short glandular hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species - white/pale flowers, 2 translucent areas per petal, white pollen diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly slopes, generally in chaparral
Elevation: 300-1200 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Ventura
Bloom period
Phacelia grisea blooms Apr-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 grisea native to California?
Yes. Phacelia grisea is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia grisea bloom?
Phacelia grisea blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Phacelia grisea grow?
Phacelia grisea occurs in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Ventura, at elevations of 300-1200 m.
What plant family does Phacelia grisea belong to?
Phacelia grisea is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia grisea grow in?
Phacelia grisea grows in Gravelly slopes, generally in chaparral.
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.