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(Phacelia californica)
California Phacelia (Phacelia californica)
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joergmlpts
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
joergmlpts
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: joergmlpts | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: joergmlpts | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-04-08T10:51:27-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements for Coralville, Iowa
| This Plant | Your Site | Plant Suitability for Your Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Precipitation | 16" - 77" | 36" | Aquatic | Aquatic |
| • High Temp. | 68°F - 95°F | 86°F | Your summer temperatures are normal for this plant. | Excellent |
| • Low Temp. | 23°F - 46°F | 11°F | Your winter temperatures may be too cold for this plant | Too cold |
This plant should grow very well at your location but requires an aquatic environment.
Summary
Phacelia californica, commonly known as California Phacelia, is a deciduous perennial herb native to chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodlands in California, with a range extending to the southwestern United States and northern Baja California, Mexico. Typically, it grows to a height of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters) and a width of 0.7-1 feet (0.2-0.3 meters). The plant has a mounding form with deeply lobed leaves and produces showy clusters of bell-shaped flowers that are predominantly lavender to violet, with some white, from late winter through early summer, depending on local conditions.
California Phacelia is valued for its ability to attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies, with its vibrant flowers. It is used in native plant gardens, as a border plant, and for habitat restoration projects. It is drought-tolerant once established, requiring low to medium amounts of water, and prefers well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. This species is not known for aggressive roots or significant disease problems, but care should be taken as the hairs on the plant can cause skin irritation in some individuals.CC BY-SA 4.0
California Phacelia is valued for its ability to attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies, with its vibrant flowers. It is used in native plant gardens, as a border plant, and for habitat restoration projects. It is drought-tolerant once established, requiring low to medium amounts of water, and prefers well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. This species is not known for aggressive roots or significant disease problems, but care should be taken as the hairs on the plant can cause skin irritation in some individuals.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 0.7-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple, Blue
- Flowering Season: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
native to chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodlands in California, with a range extending to the southwestern United States and northern Baja California, Mexico
Other Names
Common Names: California Scorpionweed
Scientific Names: Phacelia californica, Phacelia magellanica f. californica, Phacelia californica f. vinctens, Phacelia californica f. immunda, Phacelia magellanica f. angustifolia, Phacelia biolettii, Phacelia californica f. ballii, Phacelia californica var. californica, Phacelia californica var. rotundata
GBIF Accepted Name: Phacelia californica Cham.