| Phacelia cicutaria | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | (unplaced) |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Phacelia |
| Species: | P. cicutaria |
| Binomial name | |
| Phacelia cicutaria Greene |
|
| Subspecies | |
|
P. cicutaria var. cicutaria |
|
Phacelia cicutaria (Caterpillar Phacelia or Caterpillar Scorpionweed) is an annual species of Phacelia native to California, southern Nevada, and Baja California. It grows mainly in chaparral, frequently in burnt areas[1] or on rocky slopes.
Contents |
Phacelia cicutaria is an upright annual shrub growing up to than 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 Mar-May and are dirty-white to pale lavender in color.
Phacelia cicutaria is drought tolerant, making it ideal for xeriscaping. It can be propagated by seed, germination of which may be stimulated with aqueous extracts of charred wood, or the charred wood itself.[3]