Blacktack Phacelia

Phacelia pachyphylla

Color: Violet to purple

Common name: Blacktack Phacelia

Latin name: Phacelia pachyphylla

Family: BORAGINACEAE

Height: 1.5–7 inches

Description: Phacelia pachyphylla is an annual herb growing erect to a maximum height around 17 centimeters. It is glandular in texture, the hairs tipped with bulbous glands. The hairy inflorescence is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of funnel- or bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is about half a centimeter long and light purple in color.

Leaf: The leaves, which are mostly arranged around the base of the stem, have crinkly or wavy-edged rounded blades on stalks a few centimeters long.

Range: Desert

Habitat: Flats, ± alkaline soils, creosote-bush scrub

Elevation: < 1000 m.

Flowering time: Apr–May

Notes: This plant was photographed Apr 1, 2005 in Red Rock Canyon State Park, Mojave Desert, Kern County, California. Phacelia pachyphylla, a dicot, is an annual herb that is native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. Distribution outside California: Baja California.

We have an online wildflower field guide that is designed to help you identify desert wildflowers by color, scientific name, region and common name. The pictures are sized to work on the iPod, iPhone, iPad and similar devices. With your iPod or phone you will easily be able to identify wildflowers while in the desert. Links for downloads are on the bottom of the Wildflower Field Guide page.

Photo tips: Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a macro function - usually symbolized by the icon of a little flower. When you turn on that function, you allow your camera to get closer to the subject, looking into a flower for example. Or getting up close and personal with a bug. More on desert photography.

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