I came in the house and checked in the Wildflowers of Texas handbook. Later I photographed the flower and examined it closely for structure. It is purple phaecelia, Phacelia patuliflora, frequently confused with baby-blue eyes, Nemophila phacelioides. Judging by the seed pods below it has been flowering for quite a while. I will be checking back for those mature seeds so that I can sow them in a place we can enjoy them more.
Growing alongside were some prickly poppies, Argemone albiflora, texana. They were the beacon that led me to the new plant and show up from time to time. Like all poppies it is much sought after by bees for its pollen.
They made me forget for a moment those nasty weeds that showed up this year. Phacelia, you made my day brighter.
