Phacelia hastata
Mountain phacelia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia hastata (Mountain phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by Perennial; basal entire prominent-veined silvery leaves, montane/GB (vs dissected-leaved *P. imbricata*).
Mountain phacelia is a California native perennial herb found in alpine and subalpine habitats at elevations from moderate to high mountain regions. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces delicate white to lavender flowers in small urn- to bell-shaped clusters around 4 to 7 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 5 to 50 centimeters tall, it has an upright habit with stems that are generally not glandular. Its leaves are mostly basal, with blade-like structures 15 to 120 millimeters long, typically lanceolate to widely elliptic and often with prominent veins. Small fruits are stiff-hairy and contain one to three seeds that are pitted in roughly longitudinal rows.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Perennial; basal entire prominent-veined silvery leaves, montane/GB (vs dissected-leaved *P. imbricata*)
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Tulare, Los Angeles, Madera, Mono, El Dorado, Sierra, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Trinity, Del Norte, Humboldt, Tuolumne, Shasta, Alpine, Nevada, Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Tehama
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 hastata native to California?
Yes. Phacelia hastata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Phacelia hastata grow?
Phacelia hastata occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Tulare, Los Angeles, Madera, Mono, El Dorado, Sierra and other counties.
What plant family does Phacelia hastata belong to?
Phacelia hastata is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
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.