Phacelia nemoralis
Shade phacelia
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia nemoralis (Shade phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by large perennial stature and compound basal leaves diagnostic.
Shade phacelia is a California native perennial herb found in forest and woodland habitats at elevations up to 1,200 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces bell-shaped flowers with soft white to lavender petals in delicate clusters. Growing with ascending to erect stems 50 to 200 centimeters tall, it develops dense stiff hairs that give the plant a textured appearance. Its leaves vary from compound with 3 to 7 leaflets in lower sections to simple entire leaves in upper sections, with prominent veins and blades 40 to 150 millimeters long. The fruit is small, ovoid, and covered in stiff hairs, producing 1 to 3 pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; large perennial stature and compound basal leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
California counties: Alameda, Solano, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Napa, Lake, San Luis Obispo, Humboldt, Monterey, Del Norte, Mendocino, Placer, Nevada, Contra Costa
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 nemoralis native to California?
Yes. Phacelia nemoralis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Phacelia nemoralis grow?
Phacelia nemoralis occurs in Alameda, Solano, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Napa, Lake, San Luis Obispo, Humboldt and other counties.
What plant family does Phacelia nemoralis belong to?
Phacelia nemoralis is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
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.