Phacelia malvifolia var. loasifolia
Photo: parent species Phacelia malvifolia · (c) Garth Harwood, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Phacelia malvifolia var. loasifolia is a native California annual in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by seed number and size distinguish varieties.
Phacelia malvifolia is a California native annual found in central western California coastal and inland areas in sandy or gravelly slopes, scrub, chaparral, and conifer forest at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate flowers in clusters along its stems. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it has an open, branching habit. Its leaves range from 10 to 100 millimeters long, with variable shapes that adapt to its diverse habitats. The seeds are small, about 1 millimeter long, with a finely textured surface that helps with dispersal.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 33 sympatric species; seed number and size distinguish varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly soils, slopes, scrub, chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: < 1400 m
Bloom period
Phacelia malvifolia var. loasifolia blooms Apr-Jul.
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 malvifolia var. loasifolia native to California?
Yes. Phacelia malvifolia var. loasifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia malvifolia var. loasifolia bloom?
Phacelia malvifolia var. loasifolia blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Phacelia malvifolia var. loasifolia belong to?
Phacelia malvifolia var. loasifolia is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia malvifolia var. loasifolia grow in?
Phacelia malvifolia var. loasifolia grows in Sandy or gravelly soils, slopes, scrub, chaparral, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.