Scientific Family
Hydrophyllaceae
Other common names
cleftleaf wildheliotrope
Notch-Leaf Scorpion-Weed
notch-leafed phacelia
scorpion-weed
caterpillar weed
caterpillarweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
4 to 24 inches
Riparian
No
Strong scented plant with hairy simple or few branched glandular erect stems; pinnatifid (cleft) green leaves; green coils produce deep purple or bluish-purple bell-shaped flower clusters that bloom centrally first and then on sides.
Deeply pinnatifid (cleft) leaves, lower lobes cleft to the midrib, upper lobes shallowly cleft; upper leaves mostly stemless; flowers purple, bell-shaped, yellow stamens extend beyond the petals, in curled clusters; sepal lobes broad, pointed.
Habitat
Found in sand and clay soils in plains, mesas and gravelly foothills.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
4500
Flower Characteristics
Showy dense 5-lobed bell-shaped flowers; stamens (male reproductive part) projecting 1/8 to 1/2 inch beyond petals with yellow anthers (pollen producing); flower heads coiled initially gradually blooming centrally and then peripherally.
Flower color
Blue to purple to white (basally)
Flower shape
Bell-shaped
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
January
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaf blades mostly oblong with few stiff hairs, lower leaves attached to stems, deeply cleft, upper leaves with shallow lobes attached to small stalks with coarse serrated edges. Green stems are simple or few branched, with soft or stiff short hairs.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Dissected
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Brown
Usually 2 very small seeds (1/8 inch), elliptical to oblong, pitted.