Phacelia parryi
Parry's phacelia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia parryi (Parry's phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by large showy flowers with white crescents and beaked fruits diagnostic.
Parry's phacelia is a California native annual found in southern coastal ranges, southwestern California, and western desert edges in open gravelly areas, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral at elevations below 2,400 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces violet to purple flowers with a distinctive white crescent-shaped spot at the base of each petal, forming small clusters on stems up to 10 to 20 millimeters long. Growing 10 to 100 centimeters tall with stiff, hairy stems that can be reclining or erect, it spreads with few branches and a variable growth habit. Its leaves are 10 to 120 millimeters long, oblong to ovate in shape with irregular tooth-like edges, positioned along the stem with blades shorter than or equal to their petioles. The plant produces fruits 6 to 10 millimeters long with a conspicuous beak, bearing 40 to 90 small, shallowly pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 51 sympatric species; large showy flowers with white crescents and beaked fruits diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open gravelly areas, slopes, coastal-sage scrub, chaparral
Elevation: < 2400 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Monterey, Amador, Alameda, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Phacelia parryi 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 parryi native to California?
Yes. Phacelia parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia parryi bloom?
Phacelia parryi blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Phacelia parryi grow?
Phacelia parryi occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Monterey, Amador and other counties, at elevations of < 2400 m.
What plant family does Phacelia parryi belong to?
Phacelia parryi is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia parryi grow in?
Phacelia parryi grows in Open gravelly areas, slopes, coastal-sage scrub, chaparral.
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.