Phacelia ambigua

This species was very abundant on some of the hills near Ajo when I went through the area in late February of 2005. It's very similar morphologically to Phacelia crenulata, but that species doesn't occur in this part of Arizona. This is also one of the first Phacelias that made me realize I am allergic to most plants in the genus; they cause symptoms similar to poison ivy.

Inflorescences; southwest of Ajo, 2/26/05.

Whole plant; southwest of Ajo, 2/26/05.

Cauline leaf; southwest of Ajo, 2/26/05.

Closer view of an inflorescence; southwest of Ajo, 2/26/05.

A nice carpet of Phacelia ambigua; southwest of Ajo, 2/26/05.