Phacelia cicutaria Greene var. hubbyi (J. F. Macbr.) J. T. Howell warrants elevation from varietal to species status based on morphological evidence. It is distinguished morphologically from P. cicutaria var. cicutaria and P. cicutaria var. hispida (A. Gray) J. T. Howell by its more robust habit, more densely congested inflorescences, lack of mottled markings on the corolla, longer stamens and style, thick shaggy hairs on the stems and leaves, and calyx lobes that closely invest the fruit.