Phacelia pachyphylla
Blacktack phacelia
(c) Kayla Sweeten, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia pachyphylla (Blacktack phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by dark glands and purple stamens diagnostic.
Blacktack phacelia is a California native annual found in the Desert bioregion in creosote-bush scrub and alkaline flats at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces violet to purple flowers 5 to 7 millimeters long with a funnel- to bell-shaped structure. Growing 4 to 17 centimeters tall with erect stems that are short-stiff-hairy and aromatic, with dark glandular surfaces. Its leaves are mostly basal, approximately 20 to 50 millimeters long, generally round and either entire or slightly crenate. The fruit is nearly spherical, 5 to 7 millimeters long, and covered in short hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species; dark glands and purple stamens diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Flats, +- alkaline soils, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 1300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, Imperial, Inyo, Riverside
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Phacelia pachyphylla blooms Apr-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 pachyphylla native to California?
Yes. Phacelia pachyphylla is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia pachyphylla bloom?
Phacelia pachyphylla blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Phacelia pachyphylla grow?
Phacelia pachyphylla occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, Imperial, Inyo, Riverside, at elevations of < 1300 m.
What plant family does Phacelia pachyphylla belong to?
Phacelia pachyphylla is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia pachyphylla grow in?
Phacelia pachyphylla grows in Flats, +- alkaline soils, creosote-bush scrub.
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.