Phacelia viscida var. albiflora
Sticky phacelia
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Family: Hydrophyllaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Phacelia viscida var. albiflora (Sticky phacelia) is a native California annual in the Hydrophyllaceae family, recognized by white rotate flowers, white stamens/pollen, glandular-sticky.
Sticky phacelia is a California native annual found in southern California coastal regions including Southern Coast Ranges, northern Southern Coast, and Western Transverse Ranges in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats at elevations below 1,600 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white flowers with rotate to bell-shaped corollas 10 to 15 millimeters in diameter, featuring white filaments and pollen. Growing with stems 10 to 70 centimeters tall, it spreads in delicate, branching formations across exposed and slightly moist landscapes. Its leaves are likely dissected and somewhat sticky, contributing to its distinctive common name and helping distinguish it within its native plant communities. The plant's white blossoms and compact growth make it a subtle but charming component of California's coastal scrubland ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; key features are white rotate flowers, white stamens/pollen, glandular-sticky
Habitat and range
Habitat: Exposed, +- moist areas, coastal-sage scrub, chaparral
Elevation: < 1600 m
Bloom period
Phacelia viscida var. albiflora blooms Mar-Jun.
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 viscida var. albiflora native to California?
Yes. Phacelia viscida var. albiflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phacelia viscida var. albiflora bloom?
Phacelia viscida var. albiflora blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Phacelia viscida var. albiflora belong to?
Phacelia viscida var. albiflora is in the Hydrophyllaceae family, genus Phacelia.
What habitat does Phacelia viscida var. albiflora grow in?
Phacelia viscida var. albiflora grows in Exposed, +- moist areas, coastal-sage scrub, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Phacelia viscida var. viscida — Sticky phacelia
- Phacelia adenophora — Glandular yellow phacelia
- Phacelia affinis — Limestone phacelia
- Phacelia amabilis — Saline valley phacelia
- Phacelia anelsonii — Aven nelson's phacelia
- Phacelia argentea — Sand dune phacelia
- Pholistoma auritum — Blue fiestaflower
- Pholistoma auritum var. arizonicum — Arizona pholistoma
- Pholistoma auritum var. auritum — Fiesta flower
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.