Phacelia hastata var. compacta
Photo: parent species Phacelia hastata · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia hastata var. compacta is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by mat-forming habit, stiff spreading hairs, glandular calyx diagnostic.
Compact phanpoint phacelia is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Warner Mountains, and eastern Sierra Nevada in sandy to rocky slopes, alpine areas, and conifer forests at elevations of 1,500 to 4,000 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces delicate white to lavender flowers in loose clusters. Growing with decumbent to ascending stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms distinctive mat-like growth with stiff, spreading hairs. Its leaves are deeply lobed, with finely textured edges and a soft, bristly appearance characteristic of its compact growth habit. The plant's low-growing, spreading form makes it well-adapted to high-elevation rocky and alpine environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 51 sympatric species - mat-forming habit, stiff spreading hairs, glandular calyx diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy to rocky slopes, flats, talus, conifer forest, alpine
Elevation: 1500-4000 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, El Dorado, Calaveras, Alpine, Placer, Yuba, Amador, Mendocino, Tuolumne, Madera, Shasta, Modoc, Siskiyou
Outside California: to Washington, Nevada
Bloom period
Phacelia hastata var. compacta blooms Jul-Sep.
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 var. compacta native to California?
Yes. Phacelia hastata var. compacta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia hastata var. compacta bloom?
Phacelia hastata var. compacta blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Phacelia hastata var. compacta grow?
Phacelia hastata var. compacta occurs in Inyo, Mono, El Dorado, Calaveras, Alpine, Placer, Yuba, Amador and other counties, at elevations of 1500-4000 m.
What plant family does Phacelia hastata var. compacta belong to?
Phacelia hastata var. compacta is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia hastata var. compacta grow in?
Phacelia hastata var. compacta grows in Sandy to rocky slopes, flats, talus, conifer forest, alpine.
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.