Taxon Report

Phacelia insularis Munz var. insularis

northern Channel Islands phacelia

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Taxon Summary

Phacelia insularis var. insularis, commonly known as northern Channel Islands phacelia, is a annual herb in the Hydrophyllaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Coastal dunes, and Valley and foothill grassland, growing at elevations from 0 to 215 meters. Phacelia insularis var. insularis is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Phacelia insularis Munz var. insularis
Common Name:
 northern Channel Islands phacelia
Family: Hydrophyllaceae
Element Code: PDHYD0C2B2
USDA Plants Symbol: PHINI4
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Phacelia divaricata var. insularis

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Feb-Apr Feb-Apr
Elevation: 0-215 (0-705)
General Habitats: Coastal dunes, Valley and foothill grassland
Microhabitat: Sandy
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.2
Global Rank: G2T1
State Rank:
 S1
State List: None
Fed List: FE
Other Status: SB_SBBG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 6
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 5

Location
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Santa Barbara (SBA)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
San Miguel Island East (3312083), San Miguel Island West (3312084), Santa Rosa Island North (3312081)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 1
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
1 17 %
Non-native plant impacts 1 16%

Notes
Known from fewer than five occurrences; only one seen recently. Seen on SRO Isl. in 1994 (first collection since 1973). Last seen on SMI Isl. in 1984. Threatened by feral herbivores on SRO Isl. See Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 31:113 (1932) for original description, and American Midland Naturalist 33:472-474 (1945) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 9 May 2025].