Phacelia ivesiana
Ives' phacelia
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia ivesiana (Ives' phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by distinctive yellow and white bicolored flowers.
Ives' phacelia is a California native annual found in desert regions in open, sandy areas at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white-lobed flowers with yellow tube centers, emerging on delicate branching stems. Growing 5 to 25 centimeters tall with spreading to ascending stems that are many-branched at the base, the plant has a distinctively aromatic character. Its leaves are deeply lobed, typically 10 to 60 millimeters long, with segments ranging from oblong to somewhat triangular. The fruit is small, ovoid, and lightly covered with fine hairs, containing 10 to 15 tiny seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species; distinctive yellow and white bicolored flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, sandy areas
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Sierra, Modoc
Outside California: to Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Phacelia ivesiana blooms Mar-Jun.
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 ivesiana native to California?
Yes. Phacelia ivesiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia ivesiana bloom?
Phacelia ivesiana blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Phacelia ivesiana grow?
Phacelia ivesiana occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Sierra, Modoc, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Phacelia ivesiana belong to?
Phacelia ivesiana is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia ivesiana grow in?
Phacelia ivesiana grows in Open, sandy areas.
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.