The
photo at right shows a side view of the inflorescence of branched phacelia as
seen on Fields Peak, Malheur N.F...........July 15, 2003. This
species is the only glandular phacelia found in the gorge. Note some of the round
glands at the tips of the hairs of the calyces.
Also known as long-branched phacelia, branched phacelia is a perennial wildflower with numerous coarse but weak stems from 50-150 cm high. The branched stems may be ascending to prostrate. The herbage is glandular-hairy throughout. The leaves are primarily found on the stems and are narrowly oblong in shape and range from 8-15 cm long with narrow petioles. The blades are divided into 5-11 oblong segments with the lower segments separated from the upper segments.
The inflorescence consists of dense paniculate racemes. The hairy calyx is also covered with long bristles and is about one-half to two-thirds as long as the corolla. The segments of the calyx are spatulate or obovate in shape. The corolla is pale purplish to nearly white in color and is 6-7 mm long and 6-12 mm wide. The filaments are strongly exserted from the corolla while the style is cleft more than half its length.
Branched phacelia may be found on dry, open plans and foothills and is common on talus or on the ledges of cliffs.
Branched phacelia may be found to the east of the Cascade Mts. from central Washington south through central Oregon to California and eastward to southwestern Idaho, Nevada and Arizona.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found at an elevation of 400' at two vernal waterfalls on Washington DNR lands along State Road #14 between mileposts 88.3 and 88.8. Evidently the easternmost waterfall is on public lands, the western falls are on private lands.
