Phacelia pedicellata
Pedicellate phacelia
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia pedicellata (Pedicellate phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by compound leaves and corrugated large seeds diagnostic.
Pedicellate phacelia is a California native annual herb found in the Mojave Desert (Bioregion D) in sandy or gravelly washes and canyons at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces lavender to purple (occasionally white) flowers in delicate bell-shaped corollas about 5 to 7 millimeters long. Growing 12 to 50 centimeters tall with erect, short-stiff-hairy stems that are aromatic and sparingly branched, it has a distinctive growth habit. Its leaves are complex, with proximal leaves having 3 to 7 rounded leaflets and distal leaves featuring 3 generally rounded segments, measuring 20 to 120 millimeters in length. The plant produces small, nearly spherical fruits about 3 to 3.5 millimeters long, with seeds featuring uniquely corrugated margins and pitted surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species; compound leaves and corrugated large seeds diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly washes, canyons
Elevation: < 1400 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles
Outside California: southern Nevada, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Phacelia pedicellata 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 pedicellata native to California?
Yes. Phacelia pedicellata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia pedicellata bloom?
Phacelia pedicellata blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Phacelia pedicellata grow?
Phacelia pedicellata occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo, Imperial, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 1400 m.
What plant family does Phacelia pedicellata belong to?
Phacelia pedicellata is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia pedicellata grow in?
Phacelia pedicellata grows in Sandy or gravelly washes, canyons.
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.