Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Phacelia imbricata is a species in the Boraginaceae (Fort-me-not) family known by the common name Imbricate Phacelia. It is native to much of California and Baja California, where it can be found in varied habitat in mountains, valleys, and coastline. It is a perennial herb growing decumbent or erect to a maximum height exceeding one meter. It is hairy and coated in stiff hairs. The leaves may be up to 15 centimeters long and are divided into several leaflets. The flower cluster is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of many bell-shaped flowers. The flower is roughly half a centimeter long and white to pale purple in color. It is almost always grown from seed. There are four recognized varieties with differing geographic ranges.

It should be noted that there are a very large number of species in the genus Phacelia. Most are annuals. Gardeners should look for species appropriate to their area and garden conditions.

Plant type

Annual herb, Perennial herb

Size

2 - 3 ft Tall
2 ft Wide

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Summer Semi-deciduous

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Color

White

Flowering season

Winter, Spring

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Very Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 0° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Tolerates clay or sandy soil.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 7.0

Propagation

For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Site type

Slopes, flats, canyons, coastal mountains and Sierra foothills

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland

Use in part shade under various trees, and with other perennials and shrubs such as Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Barberry (Berberis spp.), Ceanothus spp., Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), Silktassel Bush (Garrya spp.), Sticky Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus), Holly Leaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia), Oak (Quercus spp.), and Currant/Gooseberry (Ribes spp.)

Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 9 likely

Confirmed Likely

Geranium Plume Moth

Amblyptilia pica

Annaphila ida

Oso Flaco Flightless Moth

Areniscythris brachypteris

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana