Phacelia umbrosa
Colorado desert phacelia
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Phacelia umbrosa (Colorado desert phacelia) is a native California herb in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by weak stems and long protruding stamens and styles.
Colorado desert phacelia is a California native annual found in the Peninsular Ranges in chaparral and oak/pine woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces pale blue to lavender flowers in small, narrowly bell-shaped clusters. Growing 15 to 45 centimeters tall with decumbent to erect weak stems that branch and are sparsely stiff-hairy, it develops an open inflorescence that becomes dense toward the top. Its leaves are approximately 25 to 90 millimeters long, with ovate blades that are generally compound and have crenate to lobed segments. The fruit is a small ellipsoid structure 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters long, containing 2 to 4 pitted seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species; distinguished by weak stems and long protruding stamens and styles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Chaparral, oak/pine woodland
Elevation: 1000-1600 m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Phacelia umbrosa blooms Jun-Jul.
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 umbrosa native to California?
Yes. Phacelia umbrosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia umbrosa bloom?
Phacelia umbrosa blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Phacelia umbrosa belong to?
Phacelia umbrosa is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia umbrosa grow in?
Phacelia umbrosa grows in Uncommon. Chaparral, oak/pine woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.