General poisoning notes:

California bluebell (Phacelia campanularia) has been found near Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., where it was probably introduced. This plant causes dermatitis that is similar to poison-ivy dermatitis. The plants in Alberta have caused at least one case of dermatitis (Hardwick, personal communication). If these plants expand their range, more people may develop dermatitis (Munz 1965, Mitchell and Rook 1979).

References:

Mitchell, J. C., Rook, A. 1979. Botanical dermatology. Greenglass Ltd, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. 787 pp.

Munz, P. A. 1965. Dermatitis produced by phacelia (Hydrophyllaceae). Science (Wash. D. C.), 76: 194.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Phacelia campanularia A. Gray

Vernacular name(s): California bluebell

Scientific family name: Hydrophyllaceae

Vernacular family name: waterleaf

References:

Agriculture Quebec. 1975. Noms des maladies des plantes du Canada/ Names of plant diseases in Canada. , Quebec City, Que., Canada. 288 pp.

Alex, J. F., Cayouette, R., Mulligan, G. A. 1980. Common and botanical names of weeds in Canada/Noms populaire et scientifiques des plantes nuisibles du Canada. Revised. Agric. Can. Publ., Ottawa, Ont., Canada. 132 pp.

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Scoggan, H. J. 1978, 1979. The flora of Canada. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sci. (Ottawa) Publ. Bot. 7(1)-7(4). 1711 pp.

Van Wijk, H. L. 1911. A dictionary of plant names. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, The Netherlands. 1444 pp.

Victorin, M. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2nd ed. Univ. Montreal, Montreal, Que., Canada. 952 pp.

Geographic Information

Alberta

References:

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Boivin, B. 1966, 1967. Énumération des plantes du Canada. Provencheria 6. Nat. Can. (Que.) 93: 253-274; 371-437; 583-646; 989-1063. 94: 131-157; 471-528; 625-655.

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

The viscid glandular hairs on the plants stain the skin brown, and the sap causes dermatitis (Munz 1965).

Toxic parts:

hairs

References:

Munz, P. A. 1965. Dermatitis produced by phacelia (Hydrophyllaceae). Science (Wash. D. C.), 76: 194.

Toxic plant chemicals:

unknown chemical

References:

Munz, P. A. 1965. Dermatitis produced by phacelia (Hydrophyllaceae). Science (Wash. D. C.), 76: 194.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

blistering
erythema
itchiness

References:

Munz, P. A. 1965. Dermatitis produced by phacelia (Hydrophyllaceae). Science (Wash. D. C.), 76: 194.

Information Source: ©Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System, Canadian Biodiversity Information Facility.