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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Phacelia sericea

Phacelia sericea (Graham) A. Gray

Silky Phacelia, Purple Fringe

Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PHSE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

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

8 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 16 inches tall.

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.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Loose talus.

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 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 on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

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: 2015-02-25
Research By: TWC Staff

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