XPhacelia campanularia ssp. vasiformis - Desert BellsX
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Desert Bells (Phacelia campanularia ssp. vasiformis), family Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf)
A good discussion on the species (and subspecies) can be found here. The species can cause dermatitis. It is an annual herb that is said to be a native to the state of California. USDA shows the plants only growing in California and Arizona. This is precisely why we now document sightings of species with GPS coordinates and elevation. CalFlora shows this plant growing only to an elevation of 5249'.
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Plant location: Found on a roadside embankement (Hwy 191) in Wyoming, elevation 6337' - September 3, 2009. GPS corrdinates: N43?16.758 W110?31.950Plant -
Bloom period: Late spring through mid summer.Foliage -
Hwy 191 - Wyoming - September 3, 2009
This photo offers a great display of the botanical characteristic, glandular. Weber's definition is: 'having glands; sticky. Glandular hairs are usually ball-tipped, and stems having these hairs may collect dirt and trash, are sticky to the touch, or stain the pressing-papers.' -
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Hwy 191 - Wyoming - September 3, 2009
Another view of plant. Many flowers had dropped from the plant at this point in the season. Not only was this plant NOT in a previously recorded location, but it was still in bloom at a later than usual time of the year. -
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Hwy 191 - Wyoming - September 3, 2009
While the basal leaves of the plant were rounded, the edges of upper leaves were toothed. We noticed this characteristic during our search for the identity of the species. -
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Hwy 191 - Wyoming - September 3, 2009
Aging corolla shows the slight varigation in the corolla tube that appears to be an identifying characteristic of the species. -
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