Phacelia congesta
(Blue Curls)
Phacelia congesta, Lake Whitney State Park, Hill Co. 8029
Phacelia congesta, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco Co. 2738
Phacelia congesta, McKinney Roughs Natural Area, Bastrop Co. 3613
Phacelia congesta, McKinney Roughs Natural Area, Bastrop Co. 3613
Phacelia congesta, Lake Whitney State Park, Hill Co. 8017
Phacelia congesta, Reimer’s Ranch Park, Travis Co. 9184
Phacelia congesta, McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, Travis Co. 1570
Phacelia congesta, Lake Whitney State Park, Hill Co. 8073
| Scientific Name | Phacelia congesta | USDA PLANTS Symbol | PHCO2 |
| Common Name | Blue Curls, Blue-curls | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 31473 |
| Family | Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Sandy, gravelly or rocky soils; found often in shady areas; widespread throughout Texas. Plant: Leafy erect or ascending annual or biennial, stems 8 inches to 3 feet or more tall with densely hairy/sticky foliage; often growing in colonies. Leaves: Variable; mostly coarsely once or twice pinnately-divided or pinnatifid, 2-3/8 to 5-1/2 inches long and 1 to 1-5/8 inches wide overall, with 3 to 7 broad lobes or divisions, each lobe coarsely toothed and soft; upper leaves on petioles. Inflorescence: Many small bell-shaped blossoms grouped together in coiled (scorpioid) clusters, each corolla less than 1/2-inch across with 5 overlapping blue to puplish lobes that are entire (not crenulate or dentate); protruding stamens with yellow anthers. Bloom Period: March to June. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason, "Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country" by Marshall Enquist, "Shinners & Mahler’s Flora of North Central Texas" by Diggs, Lipscomb and O’Kennon and SEINet Note: Experts seem to agree that Phacelia species are difficult to differentiate. Foliage is usually not determinant, blossoms and seed being more reliable. These IDs should be considered in that light. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024