Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri
Jaeger's phacelia, Jaeger's Phacelia
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri (Jaeger's phacelia) is a native California perennial in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by reflexed pedicels and larger flowers vs. var. perityloides.
Jaeger's phacelia is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the eastern Desert Mountains, specifically the Clark Mountain region, in cliff crevices and rocky, often calcareous slopes at elevations of 1,900 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pale blue to lavender flowers with delicate, open petals approximately 12 to 15 millimeters long. Growing with spreading, hairy stems that form loose clusters, it reaches modest heights with fine, intricate branching. Its leaves are finely divided with narrow segments, creating a delicate, feathery appearance characteristic of the phacelia genus. The plant produces numerous small seeds, typically 50 to 140 per fruit, each measuring just 0.5 to 0.75 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; reflexed pedicels and larger flowers vs. var. perityloides
Habitat and range
Habitat: Crevices on cliffs, rocky, often calcareous slopes
Elevation: 1900-2300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 perityloides var. jaegeri native to California?
Yes. Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri bloom?
Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri grow?
Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of 1900-2300 m.
What plant family does Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri belong to?
Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri rare or endangered?
Phacelia perityloides var. jaegeri carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.