Phacelia hastata var. hastata
Photo: parent species Phacelia hastata · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia hastata var. hastata is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by erect habit, appressed hairs, non-glandular calyx diagnostic.
hastata phacelia is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, southern Sierra Nevada, and Great Basin in sandy to rocky slopes, scrub, and conifer forest at elevations of 380 to 3,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white to lavender flowers in curved, scorpioid clusters. Growing with ascending to nearly erect stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall that have a mix of appressed and stiff spreading hairs, it develops a distinctive branching habit. Its leaves are deeply lobed with variable shapes, typically lance-shaped to triangular with rough, hairy edges. The plant's delicate flower structure and variable hair patterns make it a distinctive member of the phacelia genus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 67 sympatric species - erect habit, appressed hairs, non-glandular calyx diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy to rocky slopes, scrub, conifer forest
Elevation: 380-3100 m
California counties: El Dorado, San Bernardino, Inyo, Lassen, Plumas, Los Angeles, Fresno, Tulare, Placer, Amador, Calaveras, Nevada, Sierra, Madera, Mendocino, Modoc, Siskiyou, Tuolumne
Outside California: to western Canada, South Dakota, Colorado
Bloom period
Phacelia hastata var. hastata blooms May-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 hastata var. hastata native to California?
Yes. Phacelia hastata var. hastata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia hastata var. hastata bloom?
Phacelia hastata var. hastata blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Phacelia hastata var. hastata grow?
Phacelia hastata var. hastata occurs in El Dorado, San Bernardino, Inyo, Lassen, Plumas, Los Angeles, Fresno, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of 380-3100 m.
What plant family does Phacelia hastata var. hastata belong to?
Phacelia hastata var. hastata is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia hastata var. hastata grow in?
Phacelia hastata var. hastata grows in Sandy to rocky slopes, scrub, conifer forest.
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.