phacelia

[ fuh-see-lee-uh ]

noun

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Phacelia, of the waterleaf family, chiefly of the western U.S. and Mexico, having clusters of violet, blue, or white flowers.

phacelia

/ fəˈsiːlɪə /

noun

1. any plant of the mostly annual American genus Phacelia, esp P. campanularia, grown for its large, deep blue bell flowers: family Hydrophyllaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of phacelia¹

< New Latin (1789), equivalent to Greek phákel ( os ) bundle (referring to the clustered flowers) + New Latin -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of phacelia¹

New Latin, from Greek phakelos cluster (from the habit of the flowers) + -ia

Example Sentences

In addition to welcoming the worms, student-grown seedlings of pollinator and insect-friendly plants, like calendula, anise hyssop and phacelia, will be planted on Earth Day.

From Seattle Times

For example, crimson clover and phacelia are relatively easy to incorporate into the soil.

From Seattle Times

There were flowers that sound like Harry Potter creatures — bladder pod, brittlebush, lupine — on the coast, and gifts from the occult — desert star, ghost flowers, phacelia — farther inland.

From New York Times

One of the cousins’ fields had been split into two strips, the first left bare after harvest, the second planted with phacelia, rye and radish.

From The Guardian

Thanks to Southern California’s wet winter, the Santa Monica Mountains are alive with luminous purple phacelia and bright blue lupine flowers.

From Los Angeles Times