Phacelia campanularia (California Bluebell, Desert Bluebell)

Photographs

My photos:

These photos were taken in March along De Luz road, behind Camp Pendleton. The photos below show a cluster of flowers, and a plant with its foliage.

More photos:

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Hydrophyllaceae

In the garden:

Grow from seed in full sun. Very easy to grow. An annual. This delicate desert plant blooms almost overnight with one of the richest, inky-blue flowers in the plant kingdom. Of course, it is drought-resistant, but responds to normal rainfall and watering, forgetting all about its desert home. [ref]

In the wild:

Native to sandy, gravelly, desert regions of Southern California. I'm not sure how it got to De Luz Road, which is not exactly desert, but I'm fairly certain of the identification. The USDA PLANTS database lists it as being found in San Diego County.

Ethnobotany:

Various Phacelias were used for greens by native people although I have not found a reference to this specific one.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines
De Luz Road

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