by DaySounds © 2016
Picture: Phacelia heterophylla
Scorpion Weed/Varileaf Phacelia (Phacelia heterophylla)
A poultice of dried leaves has been used by some people as a wound dressing to kill
bacteria and take away infections; however, even when dried (all the more while green),
this plant can produce skin rashes in some persons. We don't recommend the internal
or external usage of any scorpion weed plant.
Silverleaf Phacelia (Phacelia hastata) is a similar scorpion weed growing in Colorado,
whose leaves (in general) are narrower, of a slightly darker green, and have more
prominent veins and hairs; which, when exposed to the light, make the leaves look
like silver.
White Phacelia (Phacelia alba) has pinnately compound leaves, with smaller, but thicker
looking leaflets than ramosissima--the latter is not common in Colorado, but abundant
in the Pacific states.
There are more Scorpion Weed species; however, the most commonly seen in the Colorado
wilderness are Phacelia heterophylla and alba.
©Daysounds
PO Box 746497
Arvada, CO 80006
USA