Miami Mist (Phacelia purshii)

Annual, 6-20" tall with hairy stems. Leaves: alternate, lower leaves petioled, upper leaves sessile, about 1.5" long, coarsely pinnately lobed. 

Flowers: cup-shaped pale lavender or sometimes blue with a white center, about 0.5" wide, 5 deeply fringed lobes; inflorescence has 10-30 individual flowers; stem and inflorescence are hairy, the hairs appressed. 

Bloom time: April - June.

Where found: Rich woods, moist fields, and along roadsides from PA to MI, south to GA, AL, and OK. Primarily in Middle TN, but also in Claiborne, Monroe, Blount, Sevier, and Johnson counties n East TN. Occasional. 

Note: This species was named after its discoverer, Frederick Traugott Pursh (1774-1820), a German explorer, collector, horticulturist, and author who made distinguished contributions in all his fields during the 21 years he resided in North America. Miami Mist is remarkably similar to Fringed Phacelia, but Fringed Phacelia is generally smaler, with weaker stems and white flowers.