Phacelia saxicola
Rock phacelia
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Phacelia saxicola (Rock phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by limestone habitat, tiny entire leaves, and persistent corollas.
Rock phacelia is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in the northern Desert Mountains and eastern Sierra Nevada on limestone slopes and woodland areas at elevations of 1,000 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to September, this plant produces blue to violet flowers in small, narrowly bell-shaped corollas about 3 to 4 millimeters long with white or pale yellow flower tubes. Growing 5 to 15 centimeters tall with ascending to erect stems that are many-branched and covered in short stiff hairs, it has a delicate, aromatic appearance. Its leaves are narrow, generally 3 to 10 millimeters long, with blade length equal to the petiole and ranging from narrowly oblanceolate to ovate in shape. The small ovoid fruit is 2 to 3 millimeters long and covered in short stiff hairs, containing 20 to 50 tiny pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 47 sympatric species; distinguished by limestone habitat, tiny entire leaves, and persistent corollas
Habitat and range
Habitat: Limestone slopes, woodland
Elevation: 1000-2300 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono
Outside California: southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona
Bloom period
Phacelia saxicola blooms Apr-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 saxicola native to California?
Yes. Phacelia saxicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia saxicola bloom?
Phacelia saxicola blooms Apr-Sep.
Where in California does Phacelia saxicola grow?
Phacelia saxicola occurs in Inyo, Mono, at elevations of 1000-2300 m.
What plant family does Phacelia saxicola belong to?
Phacelia saxicola is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
Is Phacelia saxicola rare or endangered?
Phacelia saxicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.