Desert Bells
Phacelia campanularia
Spring of 2010 was a good year for wild flowers in the Colorado Desert, a part of the Sonoran. These were seen at Joshua Tree National Monument, California. 3 May 2010.
ANNUAL: With adequate water this spring annual can reach a meter in
diameter with thousands of blooms.
FLOWERS: Five-lobed flowers are cobalt blue with conspicuous stamens and
stigma. Very showy!
LEAVES: Leaves are heart shaped with distinct veinage and toothed
margins.
RANGE: Deserts of California. Its distribution into the Sonoran Desert
is due at least in part to seed mixes planted by gardeners.
FRUIT: On maturity, a dry capsule with many seeds.
UNARMED. No spines.