Phacelia grisea
Encyclopedia
Phacelia grisea is a species of phacelia
known by the common name Santa Lucia phacelia. It is endemic to California
, where it can be found in the Santa Lucia Range and western sections of the Transverse Ranges
.
is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is about half a centimeter long and white to pale purple in color with long protruding stamen
s.
and other habitat
on the mountain slopes in San Luis Obispo
, Monterey
, Santa Barbara
, and Ventura Counties
.
Phacelia
Phacelia is a genus of about 200 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants, native to North and South America....
known by the common name Santa Lucia phacelia. It is endemic to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where it can be found in the Santa Lucia Range and western sections of the Transverse Ranges
Transverse Ranges
The Transverse Ranges are a group of mountain ranges of southern California, in the Pacific Coast Ranges physiographic region that runs along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Mexico in North America. The Transverse Ranges begin at the southern end of the California Coast Ranges and lie between...
.
Description
Phacelia grisea is an annual herb with a branching, erect stem reaching up to about 60 centimeters in height. It is glandular and coated in stiff hairs. The lance-shaped or oval leaves are up to 8 centimeters long and have lobed edges. The hairy inflorescenceInflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
is a one-sided curving or coiling cyme of bell-shaped flowers. Each flower is about half a centimeter long and white to pale purple in color with long protruding stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s.
Distribution and habitat
It grows in chaparralChaparral
Chaparral is a shrubland or heathland plant community found primarily in the U.S. state of California and in the northern portion of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico...
and other habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
on the mountain slopes in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo County, California
San Luis Obispo County is a county located along the Pacific Ocean in the Central Coast of the U.S. state of California, between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 census its population was 269,637, up from 246,681 at the 2000 census...
, Monterey
Monterey County, California
Monterey County is a county located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, its northwestern section forming the southern half of Monterey Bay. The northern half of the bay is in Santa Cruz County. As of 2010, the population was 415,057. The county seat and largest city is Salinas...
, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California, on the Pacific coast. As of 2010 the county had a population of 423,895. The county seat is Santa Barbara and the largest city is Santa Maria.-History:...
, and Ventura Counties
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located on California's Pacific coast. It is often referred to as the Gold Coast, and has a reputation of being one of the safest populated places and one of the most affluent places in the country...
.