Phacelia nashiana
Charlotte's phacelia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Phacelia nashiana (Charlotte's phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by large showy blue flowers with white spots diagnostic.
Charlotte's phacelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native annual found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi Mountains eastern slope, and western edge of the Mojave Desert in sandy to rocky, granitic east-facing slopes with Joshua-tree or pinyon/juniper woodland at elevations below 2,400 meters. Flowering from February to June, this delicate plant produces bright blue flowers with white-throated blue corollas 10 to 20 millimeters wide, creating distinctive blue-and-white blossoms. Growing 3 to 18 centimeters tall with ascending to erect stems that are short-stiff-hairy and glandular, it develops a compact, often simple to slightly branched form. Its leaves are primarily basal, widely ovate to nearly round, measuring 15 to 70 millimeters long with irregular crenate or lobed edges. The fruit is an ovoid structure 7 to 14 millimeters long, extending beyond the calyx and containing 40 to 90 small, shallowly pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; large showy blue flowers with white spots diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy to rocky, granitic e-facing slopes, generally Joshua-tree or pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: < 2400 m
California counties: Kern, Inyo, San Diego, Merced
Bloom period
Phacelia nashiana blooms Feb-Jun.
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 nashiana native to California?
Yes. Phacelia nashiana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia nashiana bloom?
Phacelia nashiana blooms Feb-Jun.
Where in California does Phacelia nashiana grow?
Phacelia nashiana occurs in Kern, Inyo, San Diego, Merced, at elevations of < 2400 m.
What plant family does Phacelia nashiana belong to?
Phacelia nashiana is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia nashiana rare or endangered?
Phacelia nashiana carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
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.