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Phacelia egena - Kaweah River phacelia

Scientific Family
Hydrophyllaceae
Synonyms
Phacelia magellanica
Other common names
Kaweah River scorpion-weed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or perennial
Height
4 to 18 inches
Riparian
Yes

Distinguishing characteristics from other phachas varities are the lance-like leaves and the dissected basal leaves.

Stiff-hairy, not glandular; leaves mostly basal; lance-like; basal leaf margins dissected, stem leaves mostly smooth-margined; flowers white to yellowish-white; coiled elongated clusters; stamens and style protrude; fruit cylindrical; seeds bright red.

Habitat

Found in moist soils in coniferous forests and along streams.

Plant Community
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Riparian
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
9500

Flower Characteristics

Seedhead 1-sided, curving or coiling; bell-shaped flowers opening from center outward; stalk 1/16 to 1/4 inch long; sepal lobes 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch when in fruit; petals 1/4 to 1/2 inch; hairy, 1/2 inch stamens; style 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

Flower color
White, yellowish-white
Flower shape
Bell-shaped
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Hairy, erect stems; lance-shaped pinnate or pinnatifid leaves mostly on lower stems; 1/16 to 1/2 inch long; often divided into 1 or 2 pairs lateral leaflets; leaves higher on the stem are much smaller and undivided.

Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf attachment
Alternate
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Oval; 1/16 to 1/8 inch long; hairy.

Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Red

1 to 4 seeds; pitted in vertical rows; oblong to round; brownish.