Common Phacelia

Common phacelia (Phacelia distans) is an annual herb that blooms in the spring. It is also known by the common names blue phacelia and wild scorpionweed, since the clusters of flowers are composed of pale lavender to violet-blue individual flowers arranged in a coil that resembles a curled scorpion’s tail.

Common phacelia is native to southwestern US and northern Mexico, and can be found in many plant communities. In San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve it is found in open or disturbed areas along the trails.

Description ^2,4,23,59  

Common phacelia is an annual herb with sprawling to erect reddish stems 6 to 30 inches (15 – 75 cm) long. The entire plant is coated with stiff hairs that are often glandular and sticky-tipped. Leaves alternate on the stem. They are usually 4 to 6 inches (10 – 15 cm) long, deeply divided, resembling the leaves of ferns.

Individual flowers of common phacelia are pale lavender to violet-blue with five round petals and stamens that extend slightly beyond the petals. Flowers are produced along a coiled stalk (a “scorpioid cyme”) with developing buds in the center of the coil. As the stalk unfurls, new flowers open at the base of the coil while seedpods develop along the older stalk, often giving the stalk the look of a caterpillar. Petals are deciduous.

Fruits are spherical, 5/64 to 1/8 in (2 – 3 mm) in diameter, on 3/64 to 1/8 in (1- 3 mm) stalks.

Common phacelia blooms from February to June.¹

Classification ^2,59

Ecology

Common phacelia attracts native bees, honey bees and butterfly adults. Therefore, it has been considered for enhancing pollinator habitat.¹⁰⁹

Human Uses

Interesting Facts

The name Phacelia comes from the Greek word “phakelos”, which means bundle, referring to the clusters of flowers typical of the species of this genus.²¹