About Phacelia cicutaria Greene
Phacelia cicutaria Greene is an upright annual shrub that reaches a maximum height of 0.6 m (2 feet). It has deeply lobed foliage 2–15 cm (1–6 inches) long, made of spiked leaf segments. Flower buds form tight, hairy coils that gradually uncoil as flowers open one after another. This uncoiling flowering stem resembles a caterpillar, which gives the plant its common name. Flowers bloom between March and May, and their color ranges from dirty-white to pale lavender. Phacelia cicutaria is grown as an ornamental plant. It is used in native plant gardens, wildlife gardens, natural landscaping designs, and habitat restoration projects. Its natural drought tolerance makes it a good choice for water-conserving gardens. It can be propagated from seed. Germination of its seeds may be stimulated by either aqueous extracts of charred wood, or the charred wood itself.
