Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)
The numerous Bay Area members of Hydrophyllaceae are herbaceous (not having a woody stem), with the exception of the shrub Eriodictyon californicum (Yerba Santa). The flowers have 5 calyx and corolla lobes, 5 stamens attached to the corolla tube, and a pistel with 2 at least partial divisions. The flowers form in a tightly coiled, one sided cluster.
Hydrophyllaceae is restricted mostly to western North America, and has no bothersome weed-like members. Many make attractive additions to native garderns. A few of the phacelias have stinging hairs, which may give the handler an unpleasant rash. Although usually pleasantly fragrant, a desert species of phacelia gives off one of the foulest odors I have ever encountered in a plant.
