Phacelia - Phacelia tanacetifolia

The leaves are finely cut, almost fern-like, and the flowers are lavender-coloured in branched, coiled spikes. Calyces have linear lobes.   It can grow to 2 or 3 feet in height.

Several others species are listed on the NBN and may possibly turn up in our area. These are not covered in Stace (4th edition) and therefore the key features are unclear.  

Provide close up photos of flowers, calyces and leaves. Refer to Stace (4th edition) for a full description; we recommend that you retain a specimen of any atypical plants in case expert verification is needed

Roadsides and waste places, dry or disturbed soil.

In flower during June and July.

Annual

Phacelia is a North American plant that is a common component of green manure, wildflower and pollintor seedmixes, and occasionally persists for a while outside the crop or sown area; increasing (ref.: Stace 4th edition). 

Formerly uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland where it was first recorded in 1999.  It is now increasing in our area.