Phacelia malvifolia var. malvifolia
Photo: parent species Phacelia malvifolia · (c) Garth Harwood, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Phacelia malvifolia var. malvifolia is a native California annual in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by stinging hairs and cream flowers distinctive.
Mallow-leaf phacelia is a California native annual found in northern coastal and central western regions in sandy or gravelly slopes, scrub, chaparral, and conifer forest at elevations up to 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces delicate lavender to blue flowers in curved clusters that unfurl along the stem. Growing with slender, branching stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it spreads across open terrain with a delicate, somewhat sprawling habit. Its soft, broadly lobed leaves range from 2 to 14 centimeters long, with rounded edges that give the plant a distinctive mallow-like appearance. The small seeds, typically one to four per plant, are coarsely textured and measure 2 to 3 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 39 sympatric species; stinging hairs and cream flowers distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly soils, slopes, scrub, chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: < 1400 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Phacelia malvifolia var. malvifolia 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. malvifolia native to California?
Yes. Phacelia malvifolia var. malvifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia malvifolia var. malvifolia bloom?
Phacelia malvifolia var. malvifolia blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Phacelia malvifolia var. malvifolia belong to?
Phacelia malvifolia var. malvifolia is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia malvifolia var. malvifolia grow in?
Phacelia malvifolia var. malvifolia 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 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.