Phacelia crenulata var. corrugata

Family: Hydrophyllaceae – Waterleaf Family

Annual herbs; 1.2” to 2.7' (0.3 to 8.3 dm) tall

Leaves: leaves mostly alternate, the basal ones sometimes opposite; deeply lobed; often rough-hairy or with gland-tipped hairs

Flowers: 5 united tubular purple petals, sometimes basally whitish, 0.16” to 0.28” (4 to 7 mm) long; 5 united sepals; 5 stamens; 1 pistil; flowers are along an axis that curls like a scorpion's tail giving this plant it's common name

Pollinators: other Phacelia species are pollinated by bees

Fruits: capsule

Blooms in Arches National Park: April, May, June

Habitat in Arches National Park: desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities

Location seen: park road mile 0 to 2.5, Park Avenue trail, park road near Petrified Dunes mile 7.7, Windows trail, upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint trail, park road at mile 14.5, Fiery Furnace

Other: The genus name, “Phacelia”, is from the Greek “phakelos”, means “shallow rounded teeth” which refers to the leaf margin. The variety name, “corrugata”, means “wrinkled”.

This plant is strong-smelling (somewhat onion-like).