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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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: BiennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 16 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYCanada: 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 ShadeSoil Description: Loose talus.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis 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 PlantsFNA: Find Phacelia sericea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Phacelia sericea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-02-25Research By: TWC Staff