Caterpillar Phacelia: A California Native Annual Worth Knowing
If you’re looking to add authentic California native plants to your garden, caterpillar phacelia (Phacelia hubbyi) might just be the under-the-radar annual you’ve been searching for. This native forb brings a touch of wild California character to gardens, though admittedly, it’s not the showiest plant you’ll ever grow.
What Exactly Is Caterpillar Phacelia?
Caterpillar phacelia is a California native annual forb – think of it as a non-woody herbaceous plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. As a member of the Phacelia genus, it’s related to other beloved native wildflowers that California gardeners often incorporate into their landscapes.
This plant goes by the botanical name Phacelia hubbyi, and you might occasionally see it referenced by its synonym Phacelia cicutaria Greene var. hubbyi. But let’s stick with the simpler common name – caterpillar phacelia has a much nicer ring to it, don’t you think?
Where Does It Call Home?
Caterpillar phacelia is a true California native, found naturally within the Golden State’s diverse ecosystems. As a plant that evolved specifically in California’s unique climate and soil conditions, it’s perfectly adapted to thrive in local gardens without the fuss that many non-native plants require.
Should You Plant Caterpillar Phacelia?
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit mysterious. While caterpillar phacelia checks all the boxes for being a responsible native plant choice, specific information about its garden performance, appearance, and growing requirements is surprisingly limited. This could mean a few things:
- It might be a relatively rare or localized species
- It could be primarily of interest to botanical specialists rather than home gardeners
- It may be a newer addition to the native plant trade
The Native Plant Advantage
What we do know is that choosing California native plants like caterpillar phacelia offers several benefits:
- Naturally adapted to local climate conditions
- Supports local ecosystems and wildlife
- Typically requires less water once established
- Helps maintain regional biodiversity
Growing Caterpillar Phacelia: What We Know
As an annual forb, caterpillar phacelia will complete its entire life cycle in one growing season. This means you’ll need to replant it each year, but it also means you get the flexibility to experiment with placement and companion plants.
Being a forb, it lacks woody tissue and likely has a relatively soft, herbaceous growth habit. Most Phacelia species are fairly low-maintenance once you understand their basic needs, though specific care requirements for this particular species aren’t well-documented in common gardening resources.
A Word About Rarity
Caterpillar phacelia has a conservation status of S4S5T3, which suggests it may have some level of conservation concern. If you’re interested in growing this plant, make sure to source it responsibly from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate their own stock rather than collecting from wild populations.
The Bottom Line
Caterpillar phacelia presents an interesting case for the adventurous native plant gardener. While specific growing information is limited, its status as a California native makes it a potentially valuable addition to gardens focused on supporting local ecosystems.
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing this plant, your best bet is to contact local native plant societies, botanical gardens, or specialized native plant nurseries for more detailed growing information and responsibly sourced seeds or plants.
Sometimes the most rewarding gardening experiences come from working with plants that aren’t in every gardening book – you might just become one of the few gardeners helping to preserve and promote this California native.
