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Marcus, Joseph A. (Austin, TX)

Phacelia congesta Hook.

Blue curls, Caterpillars, Fiddleneck

Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)

USDA Symbol: PHCO2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Caterpillars or blue curls is a leafy annual or biennial which grows 1-3 ft. tall. Its purple to lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers, deeply lobed at the rim, have conspicuously protruding stamens. The flowers are numerous, in slender, coiled clusters which uncurl as the buds develop. Leaves are soft and deeply cut, appearing ragged-looking. The plant is usually found in large colonies.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Habit: Herb
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Size Notes: 1-3
Petals: 5
Stamens: 5

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: NM , OK , TX
Native Distribution: W. & n. TX to e. AZ & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, Hillsides, Slopes, Woodlands edge, Opening, Ditches, Ravines, Depressions, Ledges
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy or rocky soils. Gravelly, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Limestone/chalky, Clay, Clay Loam, Medium Loam
Conditions Comments: Blue curls is a leafy annual or biennial. Its purple to lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers are deeply lobed at the rim. The flowers are numerous, in slender, coiled clusters which uncurl as the buds develop. Leaves are soft and deeply cut, appearing ragged-looking. The plant is usually found in large colonies. Blue curls does best if sheltered from the west sun. Its stem is brittle and breaks easily.
Texas comments: Blue curls is a leafy annual or biennial. The flowers are numerous, in slender, coiled clusters which uncurl as the buds develop. It is usually found in large colonies. Blue curls does best if sheltered from the west sun. Its stem is brittle and breaks easily.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Blooms ornamental, Planned landscape
Use Wildlife: Pollen-insects, Flowers-Bees, Nectar- bees, Nectar- butterflies
Attracts: Butterflies
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Easy to grow from seed sown in fall.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: I moved to TX last year, for now living in an apartment with a good-size but shady deck; my garden in VA was full of VA native plants. What TX natives, if any, can I grow in containers on a shady deck? Besides prickly pear: already have babies growing from three fallen pads that I potted. Thank you.
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Phacelia congesta in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Phacelia congesta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Phacelia congesta

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: NPC

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