| Branching Phacelia |
| Phacelia ramosissima |
| Family: Boraginaceae (Borage) |
| Flowers — color: light blue, size: 1/4", type: 5 petals |
The Branching Phacelia flower has five white to light-blue petals, about 1/4" diameter. Five white stamens with gray anther extend far from the throat of the flower.
Several flower clusters may form on short side branches from an extending green stem. Each cluster resembles a furry green caterpillar. It is a linear array where buds attach directly to the stem and the growing tip curls sharply. Botanists call this form a helicoid cyme, and it is typical for the Borage family [for example distant phacelia].
Habit:
Branching Phacelia is a sprawling perennial that can grow so large that it can't supports its own weight. Multiple stems spread from the base, initially reddish, becoming green, then woody. The compound, fern-like leaf is multiply pinnate — the central rib holds several leaflets in rough opposition, then a large terminal leaflet. Furthermore, each leaflet is deeply notched.
Every stem and leaf has stiff and glandular hairs. These attach to neighboring vegetation and help support the plant. The glandular hairs can trap insects and may deter herbivores. After repeated exposure, Branching Phacelia may cause an allergic skin reaction like poison oak.
In open, sunny areas phacelia may die back during the dry season and regenerate during the rainy season. In partial shade, with support from neighbors, woody stems survive the summer and sprout new stems with leaves in the spring. A large specimen may produce thousands of flowers.