Phacelia bipinnatifida Michaux. Common name: Fernleaf Phacelia, Forest Phacelia, Purple Phacelia, Purple Bee's Friend. Phenology: Mar-May; Jun. Habitat: Cove forests, especially where rocky; also popular as a native plant for horticultural use, and sometimes found as persistent or spreading from horticultural use. Distribution: W. VA west to s. OH, n. IN, n. IL, and c. MO, south to w. NC, nw. SC, n. GA, c. AL, and n. AR.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: Phacelia bipinnatifida var. plummeri (= P. brevistyla) is "based on a variation with sparser pubescence, larger and less divided leaf segments, smaller flowers, and sub-included stamens and style. These variations are not concomitant, and the distribution of forms showing a complete or partial combination of them is sporadic" (Constance 1949). The matter deserves additional study.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, G, Il, K4, Mo3, RAB, Tn, Va, W, Constance (1949); = n/a — Pa; > Phacelia bipinnatifida Michx. — S; > Phacelia bipinnatifida Michx. var. bipinnatifida — F; > Phacelia bipinnatifida Michx. var. plummeri Wood — F; > Phacelia brevistyla Buckley — S. Basionym: Phacelia bipinnatifida Michx. 1803
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Heliophily ⓘ: 3
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© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Edwin Bridges | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Phacelia bipinnatifida, Sweden Branch, Main Cove, Franklin-Marion State Forest, Marion County, Tennessee 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Phacelia bipinnatifida, Barnes Branch, The Domain, University of the South, Franklin County, Tennessee 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect biennial of moist, hardwood forests, especially rich cove forests, boulder field forests and moist cliffs and outcrops in those areas.
Stems: Stems branched, especially above, and covered with gland-tipped hairs.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, on glandular-hairy petioles, broadly triangular to oval in outline, to 3 in. long, pinnately divided into 3-7 toothed segments and hairy on both surfaces.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers on hairy stalks in terminal, branching clusters; lavender-blue with a white throat; about 1/2 in. wide; the short bell-shaped corolla spreading into 5 broadly rounded lobes with non-fringed margins.
Fruits: Fruit a tiny, round capsule.
Comments:
Height: 1-2 ft.
plant sale text: Fernleaf phacelia, also known as fernleaf scorpion-weed, is a charming little plant with lacy, divided leaves and small dainty lavender-blue flowers. Once established, these plants will self-sow directly in the garden and will slowly re-seed to cover a large area.
bloom table text:
description: Erect biennial of moist, hardwood forests, especially rich cove forests, boulder field forests and moist cliffs and outcrops in those areas.
stems: Stems branched, especially above, and covered with gland-tipped hairs.
leaves: Leaves alternate, on glandular-hairy petioles, broadly triangular to oval in outline, to 3 in. long, pinnately divided into 3-7 toothed segments and hairy on both surfaces.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers on hairy stalks in terminal, branching clusters; lavender-blue with a white throat; about 1/2 in. wide; the short bell-shaped corolla spreading into 5 broadly rounded lobes with non-fringed margins.
fruits: Fruit a tiny, round capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code: 5
native range: eastern United States
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