Phacelia monoensis
Mono county phacelia, Mono County Phacelia
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Phacelia monoensis (Mono county phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by persistent yellow corolla and proximal disk diagnostic.
Mono county phacelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in northern Mono County in sagebrush scrub on fractured rhyolitic clay soils at elevations of 1,900 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from May to July, this delicate plant produces small yellow flowers in narrow bell-shaped clusters, typically 2 to 4 millimeters long. Growing with spreading to ascending branches 2 to 12 centimeters tall, it has short-hairy stems that branch throughout its slender structure. Its leaves are approximately 8 to 25 millimeters long, ranging from oblong to ovate, and typically equal in length to their petioles. The tiny fruits are ovoid, puberulent, and contain fewer than 10 seeds, each with distinctive cross-furrows.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; persistent yellow corolla and proximal disk diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Fractured rhyolitic clay soils, sagebrush scrub
Elevation: 1900-2900 m
California counties: Mono, Alameda
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Phacelia monoensis blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 monoensis native to California?
Yes. Phacelia monoensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia monoensis bloom?
Phacelia monoensis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Phacelia monoensis grow?
Phacelia monoensis occurs in Mono, Alameda, at elevations of 1900-2900 m.
What plant family does Phacelia monoensis belong to?
Phacelia monoensis is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia monoensis rare or endangered?
Phacelia monoensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, 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.