Phacelia parishii
Parish's phacelia
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Phacelia parishii (Parish's phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by alkaline habitat specialization and bicolored flowers diagnostic.
Parish's phacelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in western Mojave Desert regions of northwestern San Bernardino County in clay or alkaline soils at elevations of 540 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces lavender flowers with yellow tube centers approximately 4 to 6 millimeters long, creating delicate bell-shaped blossoms. Growing with ascending to erect stems 5 to 15 centimeters tall, it branches at the base and is covered in short stiff hairs. Its leaves are primarily basal, widely elliptic to obovate, measuring 8 to 30 millimeters long and ranging from entire to slightly toothed. The plant produces small oblong fruits 3 to 5 millimeters long, containing 20 to 40 finely pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; alkaline habitat specialization and bicolored flowers diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Clay or alkaline soils, dry lake margins
Elevation: 540-1200[1800] m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Riverside
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona
Bloom period
Phacelia parishii blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 parishii native to California?
Yes. Phacelia parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia parishii bloom?
Phacelia parishii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Phacelia parishii grow?
Phacelia parishii occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Riverside, at elevations of 540-1200[1800] m.
What plant family does Phacelia parishii belong to?
Phacelia parishii is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia parishii rare or endangered?
Phacelia parishii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.