The name Phacelia comes from the Greek word, phakelos, which means bundle.
Caterpillar Phacelia, Phacelia circutaria, is a plant species native to California, which looks exactly as it’s name suggests, like a bundle of caterpillars.
Look for this group of hairy, sun-loving annuals from March to June in the chaparral covered foothills of California.
Coming upon them is like attending a Caterpillar Convention, where each participant seems to enjoy flaunting it’s flora, exhibiting tiny buds as if they were fancy hats atop it’s head.
If you hung around long enough (for several weeks at least), you could watch as each coiled stem slowly unraveled itself, proudly showing off it’s pretty lavender flowers, one by one…
Click the cute but sassy fellow above (just returned from the convention I guess) to learn more about Caterpillar Phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria), one of the few “caterpillar” species in nature which does not become a butterfly! KD
I am compiling lists of specific butterfly visitors recorded to specific species of California native plants. For Phacelia distans, common or caterpillar phacelia, so far, I have: Sara Orangetip, Harford’s Sulphur, Painted Lady, Mourning Cloak, California Patch, Arizona Powdered Skipper, Sleepy Duskywing, Funereal Duskywing, Orange Skipperling.
Thank you for the interesting and informative information Jeffrey. We really appreciate your comment! Keep them coming… Kristen @ OWB