Silky Phacelia
Phacelia sericea
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Walter Siegmund (talk)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Genus:
- Phacelia
- Species:
- Phacelia sericea
- USDA Symbol:
- PHSE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 45 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, blue, violet
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
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:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover deeply.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: 5 month outdoor cold, moist stratification
Establishment: Seeds are collected in late summer when capsules turn tan and begin to dehisce. Seeds are black at maturity. Capsules are collected in paper bags and kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning. Wildland collection occurs late August to early September when the dark purple flowers turn brown and the seed is dark brown and hard; the spike-like panicle is easy to hand-harvest. One collection hour/person will yield an average 168 grams (6 oz) clean seed and varies by year, stand density, and collector experience.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.