Phacelia insularis var. insularis
Northern channel islands phacelia, Northern Channel Islands Phacelia
Photo: parent species Phacelia insularis · (c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
Phacelia insularis var. insularis (Northern channel islands phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by island endemic with distinctive flower morphology.
Northern channel islands phacelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in northern Channel Islands including Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands in coastal sand dunes at elevations of sea level to 200 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces delicate pale blue to lavender flowers with rotate corollas 6 to 12 millimeters wide. Growing with generally erect stems reaching 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms slender, branching habit typical of desert or coastal annual plants. Its leaves are pinnately divided, creating a fine, lacy appearance with multiple small leaflets that help the plant blend into sandy coastal environments. The fruit contains small seeds approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters long, adapted to wind dispersal in its open, exposed island habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; island endemic with distinctive flower morphology
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sand dunes
Elevation: < 50-200 m
California counties: Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Phacelia insularis var. insularis blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
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 insularis var. insularis native to California?
Yes. Phacelia insularis var. insularis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia insularis var. insularis bloom?
Phacelia insularis var. insularis blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Phacelia insularis var. insularis grow?
Phacelia insularis var. insularis occurs in Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 50-200 m.
What plant family does Phacelia insularis var. insularis belong to?
Phacelia insularis var. insularis is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia insularis var. insularis rare or endangered?
Phacelia insularis var. insularis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.