Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Phacelia viscida is a species in the Boraginaceae (Borage) family known by the common names Sticky Phacelia and Tacky Phacelia. It is native to the coastal hills and mountains of central and southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and recently burned areas. It is an annual herb growing erect to a maximum height near 70 centimeters. It is hairy and sticky and coated in soft and stiff, glandular hairs. The leaves have toothed oval blades borne on petioles. The hairy flower cluster is a curving cyme of five-lobed flowers. Each flower is up to 2 centimeters wide and usually deep blue to lavender in color with a paler, mottled center. The five protruding stamens are tipped with white anthers. The variety albiflora has white flowers.

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

Size

2 ft Tall
2 ft Wide

Growth rate

Fast

Fragrance

Unpleasant

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Color

Blue

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Very Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 20° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium

Soil description

Prefers rich, well drained soil.

Propagation

By seed

Sunset Zones

14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Open, sandy places along the coast or on coastal-facing inland slopes

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub

Numerous companion plants including Milkweed (Asclepias spp.), Giant Wild Rye (Elymus condensatus), Sand Aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia), Sagebrush (Artemisia californica), Monkeyflower (Mimulus spp.), Encelia californica, Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), Heartleaf Keckiella (Keckiella cordifolia), Penstemon species, Salvia species, Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)

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