Phacelia gymnoclada
Naked-stemmed phacelia
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Phacelia gymnoclada (Naked-stemmed phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by yellow tube/colored lobes, yellow filaments and pollen diagnostic.
Naked-stemmed phacelia is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in northern Mono County's eastern Sierra Nevada region in clay to gravelly scrub habitats at elevations of 1,800 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces lavender, purple, pink, or blue flowers in delicate funnel-shaped blooms 5 to 11 millimeters long with yellow flower tube bases. Growing with spreading to ascending stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall that branch at the base and are covered in short hairs, it appears aromatic and delicate. Its leaves are 10 to 40 millimeters long, oblanceolate to ovate, with wavy or obtusely lobed edges that are more prominent near the plant's base. The fruit contains 5 to 8 small ovoid seeds, each 1 to 1.5 millimeters long with 7 to 9 cross-furrows.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species - yellow tube/colored lobes, yellow filaments and pollen diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay to gravelly soils, generally in scrub
Elevation: 1800-2300 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, Lassen, San Benito
Outside California: Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Phacelia gymnoclada blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 gymnoclada native to California?
Yes. Phacelia gymnoclada is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia gymnoclada bloom?
Phacelia gymnoclada blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Phacelia gymnoclada grow?
Phacelia gymnoclada occurs in Inyo, Mono, Lassen, San Benito, at elevations of 1800-2300 m.
What plant family does Phacelia gymnoclada belong to?
Phacelia gymnoclada is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia gymnoclada rare or endangered?
Phacelia gymnoclada carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, 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.