Plants are usually about a foot tall. Dense short hairs lend plants a grayish-green color. About the upper half of the plant consists of branched flowering spikes. The numerous brown stamens are conspicuous because they protrude far beyond the flower petals. Each flower produces a tiny capsule with one or two seeds.
More plants seem to be found in heavily grazed pastures.
Phacelias are cultivated as a honey-producing crop in some countries, and some are ornamentals, but I found no mention of economic uses for the species discussed here. This is a small family of about 18 genera and 275 species found mostly in the western United States.