Welcome to the 30th Annual Wildflower Hotline, brought to you by the Theodore Payne Foundation, a non-profit plant nursery, seed source, book store, and education center dedicated to the preservation of wildflowers and California native plants. This a report for April 6, 2012. New reports will be posted each Friday through the end of May. The display of California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) along the Grapevine is fading somewhat, but still an enjoyable sight. Exit I-5 safely at an appropriate off ramp to stop, get out and enjoy the display.
Wildflowers are a ―no show‖ at Carrizo Plain this year. The rain did not come at the right time and that happens sometimes. It just makes you appreciate the good years more. This year, go visit Carrizo for its other natural wonders. You will still be delighted.
A visitor to Northern California reported this week that the wildflower viewing is especially nice along the Merced River canyon. There is a great display of poppies along the slopes of the canyon and in a few spots, large patches of fiddlenecks (Amsinckia sp.). The redbuds (Cercis occidentalis) are starting to bloom, but a few days (weeks?) from peak flowering.
Slate Creek bridge, Merced Rivers Canyon, on highway 140. Photo By Jim Ringland
Along Highway 198 through Three Rivers and into Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, fiddleneck, (Amsinckia menziesii) is in full flower along the highway. Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis) is in peak bloom in the foothills from now through about the next three weeks. It is a stunning show of vivid pink- red color tempered nicely by white flowering deerbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus). The silver foliage and blue flowers of bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons) is sparkling in the sunlight and makes for a quite lovely drive along Kaweah Reservoir and into Sequoia National Park.
The best trails to see wildflowers at Pinnacles National Monument are along the Balconies Cliffs Trail, the Juniper Canyon Trail, and goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis) are in glorious full bloom, on the High Peaks trail. Accompanying the goldfields are wallflowers (Erysimum capitatum), milk maids (Cardamine californica), paintbrush (Castilleja sp.), and poppies; both California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) and tufted poppy (Eschscholzia caespitosa). On the Balconies Cliffs Trail, you’ll encounter Chinese houses (Colinsia heterophylla) and common phacelia (Phacelia sp.). Throughout the park, milk maids (Cardamine californica), paintbrush (Castilleja spp.), popcorn flower ((Plagiobothrys nothofulvus) and yellow (Chaenactis glabriuscula) provide bright spots of color here and there.
In the Los Padres National Forest, the drive up Figueroa Mountain Road is very nice. Starting at the first cattle guard on the road, buttercups (Ranunculus sp.), fiddle necks (Amsinckia sp.), Johnny jump-ups (Viola sp.), blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), fiesta flowers (Phlostima sp.), miner’s lettuce (Claytonia sp.) are in bloom. A little further up the road you will see the distinctive red of paintbrush (Castilleja sp.) and some shooting stars (Dodecatheon sp.) As you continue under the tree canopy, sky lupines (Lupinus nanus) are peeking through the shade. Cream cups (Platystemon californicus) are flowering as you approach the second cattle guard and further, along the serpentine formation, look for prickly phlox (Linanthus californicus), and golden- orange wall flowers (Erysimum sp). The poppy bloom on the burned area about a mile up from the Ranger Station is very showy. Down into Happy Valley, California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), bush lupine (Lupinus excubitus), virgin’s bower (Clematis sp.) are found among and climbing the shrubs and trees. Just beyond the campground, Catalina mariposa lilies (Calochortus catalinae), blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), coreopsis (Coreopsis sp.) and California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) can also be seen scattered about. This is another beautiful and serene Sunday drive. Just make sure you pull off the road at turnouts to get out and look more closely at the flowers.
On the Grimes Canyon road between Moorpark and Fillmore, there is one hillside with a profusion of yellow pincushion (Chaenactis glabriuscula). Watch for this north-facing hill in the midst of the s-turns along the roadway. Please drive safely and pull over to view the wildflowers.
At Stough Canyon Nature Center in the Verdugo Mountains hike along Stough Canyon or Wildwood Canyon Roads and enjoy the colorful and fragrant, black sage (Salvia mellifera), bush sunflower (Encelia californica), succulent lupine (Lupinus succulentus), sugar bush (Rhus ovata) and sticky-leaf Monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus).
Tucked in the east end of the Santa Monica Mountains around the LA Zoo, the fantastic orange monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) is in full bloom all over the hills of the park. Evening primrose (Oenothera sp.), clarkia (Clarkia sp.), Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), and California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are also very showy is this area.
The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve has had one of the driest winters on record, even with the recent rainfall. There are poppy plants though, and they can be easily seen standing out in the otherwise brown landscape. The Antelope Trail North Loop and the Lightning Bolt Trail are good places to spot poppies. The Poppy Trail South Loop has some goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis) mixing it up with the poppies, but the usual extensive show of goldfields is not happening this year. The grape soda lupine (Lupinus excubitus) is looking and smelling nice. Just follow your nose out to them. The wildflower bloom at Joshua Tree National Park is at its peak in the southern area of the park. Hike the Mastodon Peak or stop safely along the road south of Cottonwood Visitor Center and walk into the washes for nice displays of chia (Salvia columbariae), forget-me-nots (Cryptantha spp.), golden suncups (Camissonia brevipes), brow-eyed primrose (Chyllismia claviformis), yellow bladderpod (Peritoma arborea), and brittlebush (Encelia farinosa). Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) and chuparosa (Justicia californica) are in bloom and attracting hummingbirds. The southern margin of the Cottonwood Mountains is an excellent wildflower area for those willing to walk a ways into the desert. Further north, Smoke Tree Wash, at mile marker 33.7 on Pinto Basin Road, is a good pullout for wildflower viewing right beside the road. In additon to the wildflowers already mentioned above, here the desert lotus (Acmispon strigosus) and Wallace’s woolly daisy (Eriophyllum wallacei) are also very pretty. Coreopsis (Coreopsis sp.) is lighting up Wilson Canyon.
In the San Bernardino Mountains on the pebble plain complex at Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve spring has arrived a little early. Walk the trails directly behind the reserve visitor center building and off Hwy 18 on the north side of Baldwin dry lake. These plants are mostly belly flowers, so you may want to wear knee pads for good photography. Parish’s rock cress (Boechera parishii) are looking nice and its cousin the reflexed rock cress (Boechera retrofracta) are in flower in the understory of the pinyon pines. Many of the alkali draba (Cusickiella douglasii) are flowering, with several more in bud. The bristly mousetail (Myosurus apetalus) have been spotted underneath shrubs and adjacent large rocks where they have been protected from the late snow. The pygmyflower rockjasmine (Androsace septentrionalis) is reportedly a show stopper! Many individuals can be found if you look closely in the cracks between the rocks and clay. The large- flowered collinsia (Collinsia parviflora) is flowering in the same types of habitat as the other annuals. Several more seedlings just popping up, so they will be flowering for a few more weeks if the weather stays cool. Douglas’s violet (Viola douglasii), gray cushion pussytoes (Antennaria dimorpha) are at peak bloom. Woolly pod milkvetch (Astragalus purshii var. lectulus) is flowering up a storm! As one observer quoted, ―Man, these are showy!‖ Bear Valley woolly pod (Astragalus leucolobus) is also looking good underneath the pines and adjacent the roadside.
Driving along the Palm to Pines Highway (Hwy 74) in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, the flowering plants, although not staggering in numbers, are showing stunning colors that make up for the number deficiency. This road is very curvy, so use turnouts to look at plants. Above and below the Coachella Overlook there are several rosy apricot mallow (Spheralcea ambigua var. rosacea) waving in the desert breezes. Approaching the community of Pinyon Flats, two colorful penstemon species are beginning to bloom— the magenta flowers of Cleveland's beardtongue (Penstemon clevelandii var. conatus) and scarlet bugler (Penstemon centranthafolius). There are also a lot of the pink/purple flowers of Palmer's milkvetch (Astragalus palmeri). In the vicinity of the Cactus Springs trail head there are a few places peppered with the yellow flowers of woolly daisy (Eriophyllum wallacei). Further up the road, a newly burned area near Ribbonwood is displaying popcorn flowers (Cryptantha spp.), yellow suncups (Camissoniopsis bistorta), and patches of chia (Salvia columbariae) up through the blackened substrate. There are reliable fire followers like wild cucumber (Marah macrocarpa) and yellow-throated phacelia (Phacelia brachyloba) beginning to bloom as well. At the PCT trailhead, the golden-rayed pentachaeta (Pentachaeta aurea) is in bloom along with goldfields (Lasthenia sp.). Lastly, carpets of goldfields are returning to Garner Valley this year. It is a beautiful drive through the valley.
On the mountain bike trails south of Idyllwild Arts near Idyllwild Park Nature Center, mexican manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens), and pink bracted manzanita (Arctostaphylos pringlei ssp. drupacea) are blooming, along with golden-rayed pentachaeta (Pentachaeta aurea), spring draba (Draba verna) and patches of baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii). On the south side of the ridge, the ground was speckled with popcorn flowers (Cryptantha sp.), yellow golden- rayed pentachaeta, and ground pinks (Linanthus dianthiflorus) in an assortment of Easter egg shades of white, yellow and pink. They will soon be joined by purple owl's clover (Castilleja exserta var. exserta) and white Lemmon's linanthus (Leptosiphon lemmonii) which are just beginning to bloom. Bush monkey flower (Mimulus aurantiacus), Heerman's lotus (Acmispon heermanii var. heermanii), and chaparral yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei) are also showy along the bike trails.
Moonlight Wash is the place to hike in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park this week. Keep a close eye out for the tiny desert thread stem (Nemacladus rubescens). You almost have to be on your hands and knees to spot them, but once you do, your efforts will be rewarded with breath taking tiny plants sparkling in the noontime sun! The translucent rods on the anthers (also called "processes") catch sunlight and flash it around. Along the roadside to and from the canyon is Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and desert lavender (Hyptis emoryi).
Desert threadstem (Nemacladus rubescens). Photo by Tom Chester
While hiking the trails at Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, look for angel’s gilia (Gilia angelensis), goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis) and golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum) on the flats and around the scattered boulders near the Vernal Pools. Patches of color on the grassy slopes along trails show bush lupine (Lupinus excubitus), balloon clover (Trifolium depauperatum var. truncatum), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), checkerbloom (Sidalcea malviflora ssp. sparsifolia), silver puffs (Uropappus lindleyi) and woolly lomatium (Lomatium dasycarpum). Lining the pathways on wooded trails, Chinese houses (Colinsia heterophylla), baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii), and western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis) are especially showy now. Check out the North Granite Loop Trail for colorful splashes pink, yellow and blue of owl’s clover (Castilleja densiflora), goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis) wild Canterbury bells (Phacelia minor). In the Cleveland National Forest of the Santa Ana Mountains, the recent rain (and snow) have provided local wildflowers with a needed boost. A drive along the paved South Main Divide Road at the crest of Hwy 74, is a worthwhile trip. Recent burn areas along the first 2-3 miles are showing many annuals, including large displays of popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys sp.), grape soda and other lupines (Lupinus spp.), peony (Paeonia californica), meadow rue (Thalictrum fendleri) and many others. At the six mile mark, in the fields below Elsinore Peak, chocolate lily (Fritillaria biflora), baby blue-eyes (Nemophila sp.), California buttercup (Ranunculus californica), goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis), violets (Viola pedunculata), red-skinned onion (Allium haematochiton) and tidy tips (Layia platyglossa) are showy. Rare sightings in the area include death camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum), pitted onion (Allium lacunosum), long-spurred plectritis (Plectritis ciliosa) and Danny's skullcap (Scutellaria tuberosa).
Visit Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont and you will be seduced by the color and scents of a flowering garden. Along the pathways under the large oaks and sycamores, you will enjoy colorful swathes of blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), coral bells, (Heuchera spp. and cultivars), hummingbird sage, (Salvia spathacea), canyon sunflower (Venegasia carpesioides), hedge nettle (Stachys bullata), meadowfoam (Limnanthes douglasii), buttercups (Ranunculus californica), wild onion (Allium haematochiton) and evergreen currant (Ribes viburnifolium). This is the time of year at RSABG that all the ―every-shade-of-blue‖ ceanothus (Ceanothus spp.) species are in full bloom alongside the ―shocking-shades of-pink‖ Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis). Stunningly colorful.
Davey’s gilia (Gilia latiflora ssp. davyi) at Hungry Valley. Photo by Michelle Hoffmann Visitors to Hungry Valley SRA are finally beginning to see a few nice displays of wildflowers. Goldenbush (Ericameria linearifolius) can be seen on almost all trails and roads in Hungry Valley. Coreopsis (Leptosyne californica) and lupine (Lupinus sp.) are in bloom in many areas and can be seen blanketing the surrounding hills of Gorman with small patches of yellow and purple. Along the Stipa Trail and Powerline Road are masses of fiddlenecks (Amsinckia tessellata) and ribbons of goldfields (Lasthenia chrysostoma). Closer inspection reveals clusters of baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii) and Davey’s gilia (Gilia latiflora ssp. davyi). In lesser quantities, the snowy blossoms of Fremont pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii) and the delicate creamy colored desert tidy tips (Layia glandulosa). Also along Stipa, Spencer primrose (Camissoniopsis ignota), isolated pockets of forget-me-nots (Cryptantha pterocarya) and desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata) are appearing. Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are blooming in increasing numbers along the slopes, aside Powerline Road. Paintbrush (Castilleja chromosa) is beginning to make a showing in the lower scrub areas in the southeast part of Hungry Valley along Meadows, Jackrabbit and Maxey Trails. In the western part of the park, along Powerline Road and Cow and Pronghorn Trails, the colorful blue an gold of lupines (Lupinus sp.) and poppies can be seen in great quantities.
That’s it for this week. Look for our next report on Friday, April 13 and check back each week for the most up to date information on southern and central California wildflowers.
NATIVE PLANT & WILDFLOWER EVENTS: Theodore Payne Foundation 9th Annual Native Plant Garden Tour, Saturday and Sunday, April 14 & 15 from 10 am – 5 pm. Early bird tickets through March 24th: $20/person for two days. After March 24th, $25/person. For more information visit our webpage.
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden April 7 & 8, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Annual Wildflower Show. Free with general admission to the garden. For more information, go to www.rsabg.org/ .
California Native Plant Society Chapters & California Native Plant Week Chapters statewide are celebrating California native Plant Week April 15-22 with events and activities. Go to the CNPS website to check out what is going on in your area. CNPS-Los Angeles Santa Monica Mountains Chapter April 21, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Native Plant Week Symposium, Wildflower Show and Plant Sale, Sepulveda Garden Center. For more information go to: http://lasmmcnps.org/
CNPS-San Diego Chapter April 28 & 29, San Diego Chapter will hold its Inaugural Native Garden Tour Go to www.cnpssd.org/tour for more information.
CNPS-San Gabriel Mountains Chapter Eaton Canyon Plant Walks: Second Sunday of each month except July and August. Meet in front of Eaton Canyon Nature Center at 9:00 a.m. Then go on a leisurely walk, about 2 hours, through the native plant garden that surrounds the Center and into the nearby wild areas. The walk is different each time — what's leafing out, flowering, in seed, etc., determines what your leader will talk about — and different leaders bring different points of view.
CNPS—Riverside/San Bernardino Chapter Field Trip: Sunday, April 15, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Harford Springs Annual Hike for Families. Go to www.enceliacnps.org/ for more information.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve
Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center opens on, March 18th from 10am - 4pm weekdays and 9am – 5pm weekends for the duration of the wildflower season.
Whitewater Canyon Preserve
Second annual Art Festival Benefit and Auction 2 days, Saturday April 14th and Sunday April 15th. For the flier, please see our website www.wildlandsconservancy.org
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
SAT 4/7 9:30am: Cold Creek Preserve –Lower Stunt High Trailhead First Saturday Walk Enjoy a walk along a streamside trail and through oak woodlands to a chaparral basin set amidst sandstone peaks. 2hrs CCD
Saturdays 4/7 and 4/14 10am: Charmlee Wilderness Park, Wildflower Hike Learn to recognize some of our local native plants and flowers. Meet at upper parking lot. Reservations required: 310-317-1364. $4 parking fee. 2hrs CMPRD
Hungry Valley SRA Although the recent snow and freezing weather may change things a bit, we are hoping for a resilient display of blossoms and are planning the first wildflower tours for the weekend of April 14th & 15th at 10:30 a.m.
Baldwin Lake Ecological Preserve April 7th from 10-3 Wildflower Walk, Baldwin Lake Ecological Preserve. Go to www.nationalforestassociation.org/bbdc_calendar.php for more information.