Spotted Phacelia (Phacelia maculata)

We were making our way off the stone outcrop at the Rock and Shoals Outcrop Natural Area in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, on April 29th. Venus’ Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata) was blooming on a ledge above the lower outcrop. I spotted a lavender flower among them that was different.

Closer inspection showed that there were lavender blooms of Spotted Phacelia (Phacelia maculata) growing among the Venus Looking Glass. Phacelia maculata is known by the common names Spotted Phacelia and Flatrock Phacelia.

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The blooms. The spots are light but visible.

The raceme arrangement of blooms on the stem.

The leaves

Phacelia maculata (Spotted Phacelia) is native to the southeastern states: North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.
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Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Phacelia maculata (Spotted Phacelia)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Phacelia maculata

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Spotted Phacelia (Phacelia maculata)
- Natural and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Phacelia maculata (Flatrock Phacelia)

Related post:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower – Wildflower Index