Phacelia cicutaria

Phacelia cicutaria, with the common names caterpillar phacelia or caterpillar scorpionweed, is an annual species of Phacelia.

Phacelia cicutaria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Phacelia
Species:
P. cicutaria
Binomial name
Phacelia cicutaria
Subspecies

P. cicutaria var. cicutaria
P. cicutaria var. hispida (Gray) J.T. Howell
P. cicutaria var. hubbyi

It is native to California, southern Nevada, and Baja California. It grows mainly in chaparral habitats, frequently in burnt areas[1] or on rocky slopes.

Description

Phacelia cicutaria is an upright annual shrub growing up to 0.6 m (2') high. Its foliage is deeply lobed, 2–15 cm (1-6") long, with spiked segments.[2]

The flower buds are held in tight, hairy coils which uncoil as the flowers open one by one. The flowering stems' resemblance of caterpillars lends this plant its common name. Flowers appear between March and May and are dirty-white to pale lavender in color.

Closeup of flower.

Cultivation

Phacelia cicutaria is cultivated as an ornamental plant, in native plant and wildlife gardens, and for natural landscaping designs and habitat restoration projects. Its drought tolerance makes it well suited for water conserving gardens.

It can be propagated by seed, germination of which may be stimulated with aqueous extracts of charred wood, or the charred wood itself.[3]

References
  1. Dale 1986, pg. 124
  2. Jepson Manual 1993
  3. Baskin 2002

Further reading
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