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Native Plant Database

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Phacelia sericea (Purplefringe)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Phacelia sericea (Graham) Gray

Purplefringe, Silky phacelia

Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)

USDA Symbol: phse

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A cluster of several erect stems with most leaves near the base, covered with dense hairs that have a silvery-gray hue. Purple or dark blue-violet flowers are in many dense, short coils in a tight cylindrical cluster, which, because of long, protruding stamens, appears fringed. This leafy-stemmed, clumped perennial grows 4-16 in. tall. The leaves are covered with silky hairs, to the point of being silvery in color, and are oblong to oval and pinnately incised. The flowers, clustered on the top one-third of the stalk, are bluish-purple to whitish with long, conspicuous, purple stamens and yellow anthers. The long stamens give the flower clusters a fuzzy appearance.

A common mountain wildflower easily distinguished from other Phacelias by its cylindrical inflorescence.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC
Native Distribution: Alt. to B.C., s. to CO, NM, AZ & CA
Native Habitat: Talus slopes of red fir forests from 7000-8500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Loose talus.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Sow seeds in late summer or early fall.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Phacelia sericea in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Phacelia sericea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Phacelia sericea

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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