Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata
(c) Franco Folini, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata is a native California subshrub in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by other varieties by inflorescence structure.
Phacelia imbricata is a California native perennial found in the North Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, Central West Coast, Southern California Coast, and Transverse Ranges on slopes, roadsides, flats, and in chaparral and woodland habitats at elevations of 50 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces white to pale lavender flowers in open, panicle-like clusters with delicate, narrowly ovate calyx lobes. Growing with ascending to erect stems that are distinctively aromatic, it reaches heights typical of woodland understory plants. Its finely divided leaves feature 7 to 15 segments, creating a lacy, intricate foliage pattern. The plant's glandular flower structures and aromatic stems make it a distinctive member of its chaparral and woodland communities.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 70 sympatric species; distinguished from other varieties by inflorescence structure
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, roadsides, flats, canyons, chaparral, woodland
Elevation: 50-2300 m
California counties: Kern, Yolo, Santa Barbara, Alameda, Tuolumne, Lake, Calaveras, Napa, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Clara, Glenn, San Mateo, Ventura, San Diego, Fresno, Los Angeles, Sonoma
Bloom period
Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata blooms Apr-Aug.
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 imbricata var. imbricata native to California?
Yes. Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata bloom?
Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata grow?
Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata occurs in Kern, Yolo, Santa Barbara, Alameda, Tuolumne, Lake, Calaveras, Napa and other counties, at elevations of 50-2300 m.
What plant family does Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata belong to?
Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata grow in?
Phacelia imbricata var. imbricata grows in Slopes, roadsides, flats, canyons, chaparral, woodland.
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.