Phacelia: A Love Affair with the Scorpionweed
I, Ferb Vu, have always been drawn to the subtle beauty of wildflowers. There’s a certain charm to their unassuming nature, their ability to thrive in the most unexpected places. Among my favorites is the genus Phacelia, commonly known as scorpionweed or heliotrope. These plants, with their delicate blooms and fascinating forms, have captivated me for years.
A Diverse Genus
Phacelia is a large genus, boasting over 200 species. They are primarily annual or perennial herbaceous plants, belonging to the borage family (Boraginaceae). While they are native to North and South America, California holds a special place in their distribution, harboring over 90 species. This diversity is truly remarkable, with each species exhibiting unique characteristics that make them stand out.
- Phacelia adenophora J.T.Howell
- Phacelia affinis A.Gray
- Phacelia alba Rydb.
- Phacelia altotonga B.L.Turner
- Phacelia amabilis Constance
- Phacelia anelsonii J.F.Macbr.
- Phacelia argentea A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr.
- Phacelia argillacea N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia argylensis N.D.Atwood & S.L.Welsh
- Phacelia arizonica A.Gray
- Phacelia artemisioides Griseb.
- Phacelia austromontana J.T.Howell
- Phacelia austrotexana (J.A.Moyer) B.L.Turner
- Phacelia bakeri (Brand) J.F.Macbr.
- Phacelia barnebyana J.T.Howell
- Phacelia beatleyae Reveal & Constance
- Phacelia bicolor Torr. ex S.Watson
- Phacelia bipinnatifida Michx.
- Phacelia bolanderi A.Gray
- Phacelia bombycina Wooton & Standl.
- Phacelia brachyantha Benth.
- Phacelia brachyloba (Benth.) A.Gray
- Phacelia breweri A.Gray
- Phacelia buell-vivariensis N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia californica Cham.
- Phacelia calthifolia Brand
- Phacelia campanularia A.Gray
- Phacelia capitata Kruckeb.
- Phacelia carmenensis B.L.Turner
- Phacelia cedrosensis Rose
- Phacelia cephalotes A.Gray
- Phacelia cicutaria Greene
- Phacelia ciliata Benth.
- Phacelia cliffordii N.D.Atwood & S.L.Welsh
- Phacelia cloudcroftensis N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia coerulea Greene
- Phacelia congdonii Greene
- Phacelia congesta Hook.
- Phacelia constancei N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia cookei Constance & Heckard
- Phacelia corrugata A.Nelson
- Phacelia corymbosa Jeps.
- Phacelia cottamii N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia coulteri Greenm.
- Phacelia covillei S.Watson
- Phacelia crenulata Torr. ex S.Watson
- Phacelia cronquistiana S.L.Welsh
- Phacelia cryptantha Greene
- Phacelia cumingii (Benth.) A.Gray
- Phacelia curvipes Torr. ex S.Watson
- Phacelia dalesiana J.T.Howell
- Phacelia damnationensis Kierstead, Lindstrand & M.J.Lenz
- Phacelia davidsonii A.Gray
- Phacelia demissa A.Gray
- Phacelia denticulata Osterh.
- Phacelia deserta A.Nelson
- Phacelia distans Benth.
- Phacelia divaricata (Benth.) A.Gray
- Phacelia douglasii (Benth.) Torr.
- Phacelia dubia (L.) Trel.
- Phacelia egena (Brand) Greene ex C.F.Baker
- Phacelia eisenii Brandegee
- Phacelia exilis (A.Gray) G.J.Lee
- Phacelia filiae N.D.Atwood, F.J.Sm. & T.A.Knight
- Phacelia filiformis Brand
- Phacelia fimbriata Michx.
- Phacelia floribunda Greene
- Phacelia formosula Osterh.
- Phacelia franklinii (R.Br.) A.Gray
- Phacelia fremontii Torr.
- Phacelia furnissii N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia gentryi Constance
- Phacelia geraniifolia Brand
- Phacelia gilioides Brand
- Phacelia gina-glenneae N.D.Atwood & S.L.Welsh
- Phacelia glaberrima (Torr. ex S.Watson) J.T.Howell
- Phacelia glabra Nutt.
- Phacelia glandulifera Piper
- Phacelia glandulosa Nutt.
- Phacelia glechomifolia A.Gray
- Phacelia grandiflora (Benth.) A.Gray
- Phacelia greenei J.T.Howell
- Phacelia grisea A.Gray
- Phacelia gymnoclada Torr. ex S.Watson
- Phacelia gypsogenia I.M.Johnst.
- Phacelia hastata Douglas ex Lehm.
- Phacelia heterophylla Pursh
- Phacelia higginsii N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia hintoniorum B.L.Turner
- Phacelia hirsuta Nutt.
- Phacelia hirtuosa A.Gray
- Phacelia howelliana N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia hubbyi (J.F.Macbr.) Garrison
- Phacelia hughesii N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia humilis Torr. & A.Gray
- Phacelia hydrophylloides Torr. ex A.Gray
- Phacelia idahoensis L.F.Hend.
- Phacelia imbricata Greene
- Phacelia incana Brand
- Phacelia inconspicua Greene
- Phacelia indecora J.T.Howell
- Phacelia infundibuliformis Torr.
- Phacelia insularis Munz
- Phacelia integrifolia Torr.
- Phacelia intermedia Wooton
- Phacelia inundata J.T.Howell
- Phacelia inyoensis (J.F.Macbr.) J.T.Howell
- Phacelia ivesiana Torr.
- Phacelia ixodes Kellogg
- Phacelia laxa Small
- Phacelia laxiflora J.T.Howell
- Phacelia leibergii Brand
- Phacelia lemmonii A.Gray
- Phacelia lenta Piper
- Phacelia leonis J.T.Howell
- Phacelia leptosepala Rydb.
- Phacelia linearis (Pursh) Holz.
- Phacelia longipes Torr. ex A.Gray
- Phacelia lutea (Hook. & Arn.) J.T.Howell
- Phacelia lyallii (A.Gray) Rydb.
- Phacelia lyonii A.Gray
- Phacelia maculata Alph.Wood
- Phacelia malvifolia Cham. & Schltdl.
- Phacelia mammillarensis N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia marcescens Eastw. ex J.F.Macbr.
- Phacelia marshall-johnstonii N.D.Atwood & Pinkava
- Phacelia minor (Harv.) Thell.
- Phacelia minutiflora J.W.Voss
- Phacelia minutissima L.F.Hend.
- Phacelia mohavensis A.Gray
- Phacelia mollis J.F.Macbr.
- Phacelia monoensis Halse
- Phacelia mustelina Coville
- Phacelia mutabilis Greene
- Phacelia namatostyla B.L.Rob.
- Phacelia nana Wedd.
- Phacelia nashiana Jeps.
- Phacelia neffii B.L.Turner
- Phacelia neglecta M.E.Jones
- Phacelia nemoralis Greene
- Phacelia neomexicana Thurb. ex Torr.
- Phacelia novenmillensis Munz
- Phacelia orbicularis Rydb.
- Phacelia orogenes Brand
- Phacelia pachyphylla A.Gray
- Phacelia pallida I.M.Johnst.
- Phacelia palmeri Torr. ex S.Watson
- Phacelia parishii A.Gray
- Phacelia parryi Torr.
- Phacelia patuliflora (Engelm. & A.Gray) A.Gray
- Phacelia pauciflora S.Watson
- Phacelia peckii J.T.Howell
- Phacelia pedicellata A.Gray
- Phacelia peirsoniana J.T.Howell
- Phacelia perityloides Coville
- Phacelia petrosa N.D.Atwood, F.J.Sm. & T.A.Knight
- Phacelia phacelioides (Benth.) Brand
- Phacelia phyllomanica A.Gray
- Phacelia pinkavae N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia pinnatifida Griseb. ex Wedd.
- Phacelia platycarpa (Cav.) Spreng.
- Phacelia platyloba A.Gray
- Phacelia popei Torr. & A.Gray
- Phacelia potosina B.L.Turner
- Phacelia pringlei A.Gray
- Phacelia procera A.Gray
- Phacelia pulchella A.Gray
- Phacelia pulcherrima Constance
- Phacelia purpusii Brandegee
- Phacelia purshii Buckley
- Phacelia quickii J.T.Howell
- Phacelia racemosa (Kellogg) A.Heller
- Phacelia rafaelensis N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia ramosissima Douglas ex Lehm.
- Phacelia ranunculacea (Nutt.) Constance
- Phacelia rattanii A.Gray
- Phacelia robusta (J.F.Macbr.) I.M.Johnst.
- Phacelia rotundifolia Torr. ex S.Watson
- Phacelia rupestris Greene
- Phacelia sabulonum (J.T.Howell) N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia salina (A.Nelson) J.T.Howell
- Phacelia sanzinii Hicken
- Phacelia saxicola A.Gray
- Phacelia scariosa Brandegee
- Phacelia scopulina (A.Nelson) J.T.Howell
- Phacelia secunda J.F.Gmel.
- Phacelia sericea (Graham) A.Gray
- Phacelia serrata J.W.Voss
- Phacelia setigera Phil.
- Phacelia sinuata Phil.
- Phacelia sivinskii N.D.Atwood, P.J.Knight & Lowrey
- Phacelia sonoitensis S.P.McLaughlin
- Phacelia splendens Eastw.
- Phacelia stebbinsii Constance & Heckard
- Phacelia stellaris Brand
- Phacelia strictiflora (Engelm. & A.Gray) E.Hall
- Phacelia suaveolens Greene
- Phacelia suffrutescens Parry
- Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.
- Phacelia tetramera J.T.Howell
- Phacelia thermalis Greene
- Phacelia utahensis J.W.Voss
- Phacelia vallicola Congdon ex Brand
- Phacelia vallis-mortae J.W.Voss
- Phacelia verna Howell
- Phacelia viscida (Benth. ex Lindl.) Torr.
- Phacelia vossii N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia welshii N.D.Atwood
- Phacelia zaragozana B.L.Turner
Why I Admire Phacelia
My fascination with Phacelia stems from several factors. First and foremost, their aesthetic appeal is undeniable. The flowers, ranging from deep blues and purples to soft lavenders and whites, are often arranged in intricate clusters, creating a mesmerizing display. The delicate petals and intricate stamens add to their allure, making them a favorite subject for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Beyond their beauty, Phacelia plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. They are excellent pollinators, attracting a wide range of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Their presence in a garden or natural landscape can significantly enhance biodiversity. Some species, like Phacelia tanacetifolia, are also used as cover crops to improve soil health and prevent erosion.
Furthermore, I am intrigued by the adaptability of Phacelia. They thrive in diverse habitats, from arid deserts and rocky slopes to meadows and woodlands. This resilience is a testament to their evolutionary success and makes them an interesting subject for ecological research.
My Experiences with Phacelia
Over the years, I have had the pleasure of encountering various Phacelia species in their natural habitats. I recall a memorable hike in the California hills, where I stumbled upon a field of Phacelia campanularia in full bloom. The sight of those vibrant bluebells carpeting the landscape was simply breathtaking.
I have also cultivated Phacelia in my own garden, enjoying the process of observing their growth and development. The satisfaction of seeing them bloom, attracting a myriad of pollinators, is truly rewarding.
Conclusion
Phacelia, the unassuming scorpionweed, holds a special place in my heart. Its diversity, beauty, and ecological importance make it a fascinating genus worthy of admiration. Whether I am encountering them in the wild or nurturing them in my garden, Phacelia never ceases to amaze me. I encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate these often-overlooked wildflowers and the vital role they play in our natural world.
