Phacelia viscida is a species in the Boraginaceae (Borage) family known by the common names Sticky Phacelia and Tacky Phacelia. It is native to the coastal hills and mountains of central and southern California and Baja California, where it grows in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and recently burned areas. It is an annual herb growing erect to a maximum height near 70 centimeters. It is hairy and sticky and coated in soft and stiff, glandular hairs. The leaves have toothed oval blades borne on petioles. The hairy flower cluster is a curving cyme of five-lobed flowers. Each flower is up to 2 centimeters wide and usually deep blue to lavender in color with a paler, mottled center. The five protruding stamens are tipped with white anthers. The variety albiflora has white flowers.
It should be noted that there are a very large number of species in the genus Phacelia. Most are annuals. Gardeners should look for species appropriate to their area and garden conditions.
Phacelia viscida
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