Phacelia inyoensis
Inyo phacelia
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Phacelia inyoensis (Inyo phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by small size, yellow flowers, and alkaline seep habitat distinctive.
Inyo phacelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in the eastern Sierra Nevada in alkaline meadow margins and desert scrub seeps at elevations of 1,100 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pale yellow flowers in small, delicate clusters about 2 to 3 millimeters long. Growing as a low-spreading plant 3 to 10 centimeters tall with stems that branch at the base and are covered in short stiff hairs, it has a distinctive compact growth habit. Its leaves are small, ranging from 5 to 20 millimeters long, with elliptic to obovate blades that are either entire or slightly lobed. The fruit is a small oblong structure 3 to 4 millimeters long, containing 18 to 25 tiny seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; small size, yellow flowers, and alkaline seep habitat distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline meadow margins, seeps in desert scrub
Elevation: 1100-3200 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, San Diego
Bloom period
Phacelia inyoensis blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 inyoensis native to California?
Yes. Phacelia inyoensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia inyoensis bloom?
Phacelia inyoensis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Phacelia inyoensis grow?
Phacelia inyoensis occurs in Inyo, Mono, San Diego, at elevations of 1100-3200 m.
What plant family does Phacelia inyoensis belong to?
Phacelia inyoensis is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia inyoensis rare or endangered?
Phacelia inyoensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.