Alpine Phacelia
Phacelia lyallii
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Genus:
- Phacelia
- Species:
- Phacelia lyallii
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 6 in - 1 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul, aug
- Bloom Colors:
- Blue
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Idaho, Montana, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia
Keystone Species Ranking
- Bee Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to mountainous regions with sparse vegetation
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds require a 60 to 100 day cold, moist stratification. Alternatively, seeds can be fall sown outdoors to undergo winter stratification.
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected in late August. Germination was non-uniform. The plant occurs in subalpine and alpine rocky slopes at high elevations, endemic to western Montana and adjacent southern Alberta.
Source: npn.rngr.net