Phacelia magellanica, Kaweah River Scorpion-weed, Southwest Desert Flora

Phacelia magellanica, Kaweah River Scorpion-weed

Kaweah River Scorpion-weed has dramatic attractive flowers that may be white or cream. Plants bloom from April to October. Phacelia magellanica

Kaweah River Scorpion-weed is a native biennial or perennial species, either erect or ascending with stiff-hairy leaves and stems. Phacelia magellanica

Kaweah River Scorpion-weed is also called Kaweah River Phacelia. It grows in elevations from 3,000 to 5,000 feet. Phacelia magellanica

Kaweah River Scorpion-weed has several bell-shaped flowers. Phacelia magellanica

Kaweah River Scorpion-weed is a member of the Waterleaf Family, Hydrophyllaceae. Phacelia magellanica

Kaweah River Scorpion-weed prefers several habitat types including Pinyon-juniper and coniferous communities. It is found in moist areas and along streams. Phacelia magellanica

Scientific Name: Phacelia magellanica
Common Name: Kaweah River Scorpion-weed
Also Called: Kaweah River Phacelia
Family: Hydrophyllaceae (Boraginaceae, Hydrophylloideae), the Waterleaf Family
Synonyms: (Phacelia egena)
Status: Native
Duration: Biennial, perennial; erect or ascending, stiff-hairy (hispid).
Size: Up to 1 ½ feet, usually less.
Growth Form: Forb/herb;
Leaves: Green; basal and cauline with petiole, basal leaves oblanceolate or lance shaped (lanceolate), upper cauline leaves entire.
Flower Color: White, cream; flowers several bell-shaped, both stamens and style exserted, inflorescence a one-side cyme, fruit a capsule, also stiff-hairy.
Flowering Season: April to October.
Elevation: 3,000 to 9,500 feet.

Habitat Preferences: Multiple habitat types, Pinyon-juniper and coniferous communities, found in moist areas and along streams.

Recorded Range: In the United States Kaweah River Scorpion-weed is found in primarily in the west in AZ, CA and a small population in southern OR. In Arizona is will be found throughout much of the states with few records in La-Paz and Yuma Counties. It is also native to Central and South America and Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.

North America & US County Distribution Map for Phacelia magellanica as Phacelia egena.

U.S. Weed Information: No information available.
Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: No information available.
Wetland Indicator: No information available.

Threatened/Endangered Information: No information available. Genus Information: In North America there more than 166 species for Phacelia. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 186 accepted species names and a further 184 scientific names of infraspecific rank for the genus.

In the Southwestern United States: Arizona has 49 species of genus, California has 96 species, Nevada has 54 species, New Mexico has 23 species, Texas has 13 species, Utah has 42 species. All data is approximate and subject to taxonomic changes.

Comments: Kaweah River Scorpion-weed is similar to Varileaf Phacelia.

In Southwest Desert Flora also see; Desert Bluebells, Phacelia campanularia, Cleftleaf Wildheliotrope, Phacelia crenulata, Distant Phacelia, Phacelia distans, Fremont's Phacelia, Phacelia fremontii, Varileaf-Phacelia, Phacelia heterophylla and Lacy Phacelia, Phacelia tanacetifolia.