Phacelia neglecta
Alkali phacelia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia neglecta (Alkali phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by alkaline habitat and cream-white flowers diagnostic.
Alkali phacelia is a California native annual found in the southern Desert region on clay or alkaline flats and slopes at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces cream-white flowers in delicate funnel- to bell-shaped clusters approximately 4 to 6 millimeters long. Growing with ascending to erect stems 3 to 20 centimeters tall that are short-stiff-hairy and glandular, it has an aromatic quality. Its basal leaves are approximately round, 10 to 50 millimeters long, with wavy to crenate edges. The small spherical fruit contains 60 to 100 seeds, each about 1 millimeter long with 4 to 7 cross-furrows.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species; alkaline habitat and cream-white flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay or alkaline soils, flats, slopes
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, Tulare, San Diego
Outside California: southern Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Phacelia neglecta blooms Mar-May.
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 neglecta native to California?
Yes. Phacelia neglecta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia neglecta bloom?
Phacelia neglecta blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Phacelia neglecta grow?
Phacelia neglecta occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Imperial, Tulare, San Diego, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Phacelia neglecta belong to?
Phacelia neglecta is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia neglecta grow in?
Phacelia neglecta grows in Clay or alkaline soils, flats, slopes.
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.