Wild-Heliotrope, Phacelia distans

Photograph of Wild-Heliotrope at the foot of Indianhead mountain

People who walk into a field of desert wildflowers in Spring are likely to come across clumps of blue flowers. Quite possibly this is a group of Wild-heliotropes, or Phacelia distans (pictured above in front of Indianhead west of Borrego Springs). This plant is a member of the Waterleaf Family, or Hydrophyllaceae. To be sure it's a wild-heliotrope, look to see if the flowers are growing in coiled spikes. [A plant with yellow flowers growing in coiled spikes could be a fiddleneck, a member of the Borage Family.]

Closeup photo of the flowers of Wild-heliotrope, Phacelia distans
Closeup photo of Phacelia distans

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