Taxon Report

Phacelia amabilis Const.

Saline Valley phacelia

Print Report


Taxon Summary

Phacelia amabilis, commonly known as Saline Valley phacelia, is a annual herb in the Hydrophyllaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Riparian scrub, growing at elevations from 500 to 700 meters. Phacelia amabilis is ranked 3.3, Plants About Which We Need More Information, A Review List; Not very threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Phacelia amabilis Const.
Common Name:
Saline Valley phacelia
Family: Hydrophyllaceae
Element Code: PDHYD0C040
USDA Plants Symbol: PHAM
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-May Apr-May
Elevation: 500-700 (1640-2295)
General Habitats: Riparian scrub
Microhabitat: Gravelly
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 2
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 0
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 2
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Inyo (INY)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Craig Canyon (3611767)*, Stovepipe Wells NE (3611761)

Notes

Move to List 1B? Rediscovered in the mid-1980's by M. DeDecker above Mud Cyn., growing within a population of P. crenulata; probably a variant of the latter. Repeated searches of the type locality have been unsuccessful.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 12 October 2025].