Phacelia nemoralis var. oregonensis
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia nemoralis var. oregonensis is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by larger dimensions and northern range vs. var. nemoralis.
Oregon woodland phacelia is a California native perennial found in northern Coast and northern Coast Ranges in moist slopes and streambanks of mixed-evergreen and conifer forests at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces yellow-white flowers with a delicate corolla 5 to 6 millimeters long and limb 4 to 5 millimeters in diameter. Growing with stems approximately 7 to 10 millimeters thick at the midpoint, it forms spreading clusters in forest understories. Its basal leaves characteristically feature 3 to 7 leaflets, creating a distinctive compound leaf structure. The plant produces 1 to 2 small seeds approximately 2 to 2.5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; larger dimensions and northern range vs. var. nemoralis
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist slopes, streambanks, mixed-evergreen or conifer forest
Elevation: < 800 m
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Phacelia nemoralis var. oregonensis blooms May-Aug.
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 var. oregonensis native to California?
Yes. Phacelia nemoralis var. oregonensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia nemoralis var. oregonensis bloom?
Phacelia nemoralis var. oregonensis blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Phacelia nemoralis var. oregonensis belong to?
Phacelia nemoralis var. oregonensis is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia nemoralis var. oregonensis grow in?
Phacelia nemoralis var. oregonensis grows in Moist slopes, streambanks, mixed-evergreen or conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.