Phacelia insularis var. continentis

North coast phacelia, North Coast Phacelia

Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

North coast phacelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in northern coastal and central coastal bioregions in sandy bluff habitats at elevations below 180 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces delicate bell-shaped flowers approximately 5 to 8 millimeters long. Growing with generally decumbent to ascending stems, it forms low-spreading clusters across sandy terrain. Its leaves are characteristic of the phacelia genus, with soft, potentially hairy edges that help distinguish this distinctive variety. The small seeds measure 1.5 to 2 millimeters, reflecting the plant's delicate nature.

Habitat: Sandy soils, bluffs

Bloom period: Mar-May

Elevation: < 180 m

Bioregions: NCo, CCo.

California counties: Marin, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, Alameda

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.