Nemophila phacelioides
| Texas baby blue eyes | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | (unplaced) |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Subfamily: | Hydrophylloideae |
| Genus: | Nemophila |
| Species: | N. phacelioides |
| Binomial name | |
| Nemophila phacelioides | |
Nemophila phacelioides is a flowering forb native to Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Alabama. The plant has medium-sized blue or purple flowers, and is an annual plant. The flower is known commonly as Baby Blue Eyes, Texas Baby Blue Eyes, Large-Flower Baby Blue Eyes, or Flannel Breeches.[1]
Habitat
Nemophila phacelioides grows in shady, moist areas with nutritious soil in small clusters.[2]
Description
The flower of the plant has a blue or purple outer edge, fading into white.[3] The flowers are about an inch wide, and have five petals. The leaves of the plant are irregular, with about 7-10 teeth. The plant grows about 10 inches tall, and can often form a blanket cover over the ground blooming in late February or early March.[4]
Cultivation
This plant performs well in the shade, and needs slightly moist soil. Baby Blue Eyes do well sown from seed, with about 12 inches of spacing.[5] Seeds can be collected by tying a bag to the flower head.