Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi
Dudley's phacelia
Photo: parent species Phacelia humilis · (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS PPD
Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi (Dudley's phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by clear morphological differences from var. humilis in flower size and stamen exsertion.
Dudley's phacelia is a California native annual herb found on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Mono County and Tehachapi region, occurring in flats and meadows at elevations of 800 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from June to July, this delicate plant produces small flowers with stamens clearly extending beyond the pale lavender or white calyx. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it has a delicate and somewhat sprawling growth habit. Its leaves are likely pinnately divided, typical of the phacelia genus, with soft, potentially hairy surfaces that contribute to its subtle woodland charm. Its small fruits measure 3.5 to 5 millimeters long, containing seeds approximately 2.5 to 3 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; clear morphological differences from var. humilis in flower size and stamen exsertion
Habitat and range
Habitat: Flats, meadows
Elevation: 800-2900 m
Bloom period
Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS PPD
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 humilis var. dudleyi native to California?
Yes. Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi bloom?
Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi belong to?
Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi rare or endangered?
Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi carries California Rare Plant Rank PPD.
What habitat does Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi grow in?
Phacelia humilis var. dudleyi grows in Flats, meadows.
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.