Phacelia ramosissima Douglas ex Lehm. var. ramosissima
branched phacelia
Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
branched phacelia
Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Photograph
Map
Distribution of Phacelia ramosissima var. ramosissima
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Species Information
General:
Perennial herb from a branched stem-base and a taproot; stems numerous, simple or branched, prostrate to weakly ascending, glandular-hairy, 0.5-1.5 m long.
Leaves:
Basal leaves, if any, soon deciduous; stem leaves alternate, oblanceolate in outline, 10-20 cm long, 3-10 cm wide, pinnatifid, the lobes cleft and again toothed, stalked, glandular-hairy, odoriferous.
Flowers:
Inflorescence a coiled, 1-sided, dense, terminal cluster; corollas lavender, pale cream or sometimes white, 5-8 mm long, glabrous within; calyces hairy, the lobes linear; stamens strongly exserted, glabrous.
Fruits:
Capsules; seeds 2-4, pitted, ridged, 2-3 mm long.
Habitat and Range
Dry rocky soil and talus below limestone cliffs in the steppe zone; rare in SC BC, known only from Osoyoos; S to SE ID, AZ, NV and CA.Status Information
| Origin Status | Provincial Status | BC List (Red Blue List) | COSEWIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native | S2 | Red | E (May 2005) |
BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer.
Similar Species
Phacelia hastata var. hastata may be found in similar habitats in the southern Okanagan Valley, but it is easily distinguished from P. ramosissima by its simple, lanceolate, sometimes basally lobed leaves.
Source: British Columbia Conservation Data Centre |