sign in sign up
<<
Home , Delphinium parishii, Eschscholzia californica, Linanthus dianthiflorus, Pacheco State Park, Penstemon clevelandii, Sheep Hole Mountains

Welcome to the 29th Annual Wildflower Hotline, brought to you by the Theodore Payne Foundation, a non-profit nursery, source, book store, and education center dedicated to the preservation of wildflowers and native . This is the Friday, April 22 report. New reports will be posted each Friday through the end of May.

We are getting first reports from the ―late bloomers‖ – those regions that are finally awakening from the cool spring. California Native Plant Week is winding down, so get family and friends out to celebrate and enjoy the .

At the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach the yarrow (Achillea millefolium) are waving their white heads above the green grass and herbs along the trails. The blues and lavender of seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus) and Douglas (Iris douglasiana); the sulphur yellow of the Conejo buckwhet (Eriogonum crocatum), shades of pink and red of coral bells (Heuchera spp.), yellow of Hooker’s evening primrose (Oenothera hookeri) and bright red of scarlet bugler ( centranthifolius) and Island snapdragon (Galvesia speciosa) paint a lovely spring canvas. Finally, watch out for the very showy hibiscus like purple-red flowers of the Island bush mallow (Lavatera assurgentiflora). This plant is a stunner. Driving from the coast over the Santa Ana Mountains through the Cleveland National Forest on the Ortega Highway (74), enjoy the canyon’s mosaic of blue and white ceanothus (Ceanothus spp.) . As you arrive along the eastern end of the highway above Lake Elsinore, the colors brighten up with -reds of sticky- monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), and indian paintbrush ( sp.). Pull off at any of the trailheads and take a short hike to get a closer look at these and many other flowers just starting to bloom in these coastal mountains. Along State Route 76 west of Lake Henshaw, the blue ceanothus (Ceanothus spp.) continues to be in gorgeous full bloom and the distinctive scent of sweet ceanothus blossoms permeates the air. You will also spot the beginning of a promising California ( californica) bloom in one or two spots; along with fields of white tidy tips (Layia Ceanothus (Ceanothus glandulosa) and the pale yellow California dandelion leucodermis) by Tom Chester (Malacothrix californica).

Many showy plants at higher elevations in Anza Borrego Desert State Park are in peak flower. In the Culp Valley Campground environs, there are fields of Lemmon’s (Linanthus lemmonii) scattered about. These little flowers close their show around 3:30 p.m., so timing is critical to see them at full splendor. The pretty, pink, fringed onion (Allium frimbriatum) is starting to bloom. The flowers are pretty much at ground level and hard to spot, so just follow your nose to their location! Parish’s nightshade (Solanum parishii) and larkspur ( parishii ssp. subglobosum) are looking very regal in their purple shades, and Cleveland penstemon (Penstemon clevelandii var. connatus)) are waving stalks of shocking-magenta flowers like banners along the slopes of Highway 22.

Lush from the recent snow melt, spring flowers are popping up at Idyllwild Park Nature Center in the San Jacinto Mountains. The rosy pink- bracted (Arctostaphylos pringlei ssp. drupacea), bajada lupine (Lupinus concinnus), and strigose lotus (Lotus strigosus) will catch your eye along Fringed Onion (Allium frimbriatum) by the roadside, but when you stop at a pullout to Tom Chester get a good look, the perky little whites of spring draba (Draba verna), forget-me-nots (Cryptantha spp.) and popcorn flowers (Plagiobothrys spp.) and pink-purple elegant rock cress (Arabis sparsiflora) will undoubtedly distract. Warning! A three minute pullout stop may turn into an hour- long stroll.

Visit Harford Springs Wildlife Preserve in Riverside County south of Lake Matthews for a stroll among the preserve’s famous Phacelias (Phacelia spp.) by Michael Wall junipers (Juniperus californica) which are heavy with their bluish ―berries‖ now. Around and in the shade of the junipers are patches of goldfields (Lasthenia spp.), baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) and phacelias (Phacelia spp.). Walk among the grasses on the gentle slopes near Ida Leona road to see wild onion (Allium sp.) and blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum var. capitatum) with a few sightings of the rare Munz’s onion (Allium munzii). Another uncommon flower that has been spotted recently is the wind poppy, (Stylomecon heterophylla). There are large patches of ground pink (Linanthus dianthiflorus) and Lemmon’s linanthus (Linanthus lemmonii) that are very showy in sunny patches along trails. This little known treasure of a park is lovely now. Go see it. Further south in Riverside County, the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is at peak spring bloom. The Vernal Pool, Trans Preserve and Granite loop trails are popular and offer showy displays of flowers. California poppy (), blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), blue–eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), and pink checker mallow (Sidalcea malvaeflora ssp. sparsifolia) stand out among the grassy slopes. Look for patches of goldfields () and ground pink (Linanthus dianthiflorus) throughout the preserve. You may have to look a little harder, but worth the effort, for delicate common muilla (Muilla maritima) and Angel’s gilia (Gilia angelensis). The grand oaks—Engelmann (Quercus engelmannii) and coast live (Quercus agrifolia) are in flower as well. Should be a good acorn year. Good news for the many acorn woodpeckers seen about on the preserve. There are many, many more flowering plants to delight you along the trails. Have family visiting for the weekend? Take them out to Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont and immerse yourselves in a full spring experience. Near the entrance wander the ―snake‖ pathway through the wildflower meadow. Tidy tips (Layia platyglossa), lupine (Lupinus spp.), baby blue eyes (Nemophila

Pacific Coast Iris hybrids by Michael Wall menziesii), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), bird’s eye gilia (Gilia tricolor) and desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) stand out like jellybeans in an Easter basket. Tall spikes of creamy white flowers on the (Yucca whipplei) and beargrass (Nolina parryi) rise above this colorful scenery. There are native trees and shrubs displayed here that you would have to drive many miles to see in the wild. The golden flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum) and white bush anemone (Carpenteria californica) are the showiest among them. Enjoy the grand displays of coral bells (Heuchera spp.), pacific coast iris (Iris hybrids), and blue-eye grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) gathered under the shade of oaks.

Another popular urban get away for families is the Zoo and surrounding Griffith Park in the Santa Monica Mountains. Since it is Earth Day weekend, check out the recently refurbished parking lots at the Zoo with bio- swales designed to catch runoff. The swales contain a number of native plants. The trees – sycamore (Platanus racemosa), willow (Salix sp.), and oak (Quercus sp.) are still young, but the bush sunflower (Encelia californica), deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) and California (Eschscholzia californica) are becoming established nicely. There is a xeriscape in front of the Education center that has the Matilija poppy () and yucca (Yucca whipplei) boldly displaying their large white flowers. Many sages (Salvia spp.), flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum) , ceanothus (Ceanothus spp.) sticky-leaf monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) and lance-leaf dudleya (Dudleya lanceolata) can be seen coloring the Zoo grounds and Chaparral yucca (Yucca whipplei) by Michael surrounding hillsides. Wall

An excellent example of coastal sage scrub habitat can be found in Burbank’s Verdugo Mountain Range at the Stough Canyon Nature Center. Enjoy our familiar, friendly and aromatic flora. The black sage (Salvia mellifera), sugarbush (Rhus ovata), arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus), bright yellow bush sunflower (Encelia californica), sticky-leaf monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) and elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) are heavy with flowers. Wild cucumber (Marah macrocarpa) is clambering over the shrubs showing off their prickly .

The Los Angeles River Ranger District in the is showing off its familiar chaparral colors below 4000 ft. and includes black sage (Salvia mellifera), bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida), California wild lilac (Ceanothus spp.), Bush sunflower (Encelia californica) by Michael Wall elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) and bush sunflower (Encelia californica). Tightly packed in between this lush shrub cover and draping over it, is the honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.). The drives along Angeles Forest Highways and Big and Little Tujunga Canyon Roads are showy and you might spot on the slopes stands of chia (Salvia columbariae), lupine (Lupinus spp.), and California bells (Phacelia minor) as well as spotty sightings of scarlet bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius) and a few Mariposa lilies (Calochortus sp.).

If you are heading north through the Grapevine, detour for a while through Hungry Valley State Recreation Area. While a late frost somewhat diminished the wildflower display, patches of flowers are beginning to stand out here and there as you scan the landscape. The first to catch your eye are the oranges and yellows of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), (Coreopsis sp.), goldfields (Lasthenia sp.), and desert tidy tips (Layia sp.). Then you’ll notice the blues and purples of owl’s clover (Castilleja exerta), globe gilia (Gilia capitata), lupines (Lupinus spp.), and chia (Salvia columbariae) woven in among those warm colors. The frosting of this colorful eye candy is the stands of white Fremont pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii).

The folks at the California Poppy Reserve have been anticipating a big poppy bloom for some time, but now have resigned themselves to the moderate bloom it really is. Who knew? But you should definitely visit the preserve because in a couple of weeks, the silver puffs (Uropappus lindleyi) should be providing carpets of their showy large and silver spherical seed heads. From a rather dull flower comes a spectacular seed head. It really is amazing! To date, more than 40 different wildflowers have bloomed this spring at the Preserve. So go for poppies, but stay for the rest of the flowers.

The National Monument is still getting battered by odd weather events. A snowfall last week stopped much of the bloom cold, so to speak. Tidy tips (Layia sp.) are blooming around the Goodwin Education Center and south along Selby Camp Road. The grasses are crowding out many of the showy annuals, but if you get out of the car and look around you will find spotty patches of goldfields, (Lasthenia sp.), owl’s clover (Castilleja sp.) with the tidy tips.

Along the central coast, at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve, the large, perennial silver dune lupine (Lupinus chamissonis) is very showy now with its spikes of blue flowers at full tilt around Oso Flaco lake. Further south behind the foredunes close to the Main Street entrance look for the sunny yellow ―dunedelion‖ (Malacothrix incana), but don’t pick them as they are NOT ―dandelions!‖

All trails are good at Pinnacles National Monument, but if you have limited time for a visit, hike the High Peaks Trail and along the way, you will encounter some charming plants in among the stunning landscape (and maybe even a Condor sighting). But we are talking plants here! Gooseberies (Ribes californicum var. californicus) and currants (Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium) will produce fruits in the summer that make birds drool with delight. Indian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora), and Indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis ssp. affinis), dot the rocky landscape with shades of red. Shooting star (Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. patulum), likes open grassy patches, and baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii) greet you cheerfully as you walk by. Bold and showy shrubs, buck brush (Ceanothus cunneatus var. cunneatus), bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida) and stickyleaf monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) compete with the sweet ground level beauty, bitter root (Lewisia rediviva). This is definitely a not-to-miss plant! Three different larkspurs are blooming in the Monument. Look for them sticking up to show off their blue and white flowers. (Delphinium patens ssp. patens, D. parryi ssp. parryi and D. hesperium ssp. pallescens). Finally, an update on the spring bloom in the central coastal mountains at in Merced County. The premier trail is the Path of the Padres along Los Banos Creek and see white whorl lupine (Lupinus sp.), red owl's clover (Castilleja sp.), poppies (Eschscholzia californica), California thistle (Cirsium occidentale), farewell-to- spring (Clarkia sp.), blow wives (Achyrachaena mollis), and both white and purple larkspurs (Delphinium spp.).

Across the Great Valley, is sporting a colorful spring bouquet of flowers along Thistle (Circium occidentale) by Michael Wall the Merced River Canyon. Travel from Mariposa to El Portal along Highway 140 and admire the large patches of goldfields (Lasthenia californica) and common madia (Madia elegans) that give color to the canyon’s hillsides. Watch, too, for Applegate’s paintbrush (Castilleja applegatei), with its orangey- red hues and the golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum). Spring is an excellent time to plan a hike along the Hite Cove trail, located on the along Highway 140 seven miles before the Yosemite National Park entrance. The trails offer up a colorful palette of pink-flowered miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), yellow-orange fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii), creamy yellow monkeyflowers (Mimulus floribundus), bright yellow foothill pseudobahia (pseudobahia heermannii), purple owl’s-clover (Castilleja densiflora), yellow tufted poppy () and the pastel baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii).

In the southern Sierra foothills and heading east on highway 198 through Three Rivers and into Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, elegant madia (Madia elegans) is in full bloom and widespread throughout the area. Patches of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), harvest brodiaea (Brodiaea elegans), fairy lanterns (Calochortus amoenus) and spider lupine (Lupinus benthamii) can be seen dotting the landscape along with an occasional flowering ash (Fraxinus dipetala) .

Returning now to the desert regions, the bloom at Joshua Tree National Park is good throughout the park and you are sure to enjoy the scenery on any trail or road you decide to take. Pinto Basin Road takes you through Wilson Canyon with roadside stands of yellow coreopsis (Coreopsis californica), desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), purple lupines (Lupinus spp.) and the magnificent white trumpets of the sacred datura (Datura wrightii). The Cactus Garden has green and red cholla (Opuntia echinocarpa) flowers bursting open, and the Ocotillo patch (Fouquieria splendens) is celebrating the Park’s 75th birthday with a display of huge red candle-like flowers. The bright yellow prince’s plume (Stanleya pinnata) is also very showy around the cottonwood visitor center. At the west entrance and Queen Valley, you can’t help but be in awe of the giant stalks of Parry’s Nolina (Nolina parryi) standing tall above junipers (Juniperus occidentalis), creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) and patches of lovely, yellow scale bud (Anisocoma acaulis). Around the rocky outcrops watch for desert paintbrush (Castilleja angustifolia), desert rock daisy (Perityle emoryi), heliotrope phacelia (Phacelia distans), desert senna (Senna armata) and heart-leaf evening primrose (Oenothera cardiophylla). Finally, look for a park favorite among visitors—the paper bag bush (Salazaria mexicana)— with its inflated purple-blue-pink flowers.

Northeast of Joshua Tree on the road between Twenty Nine Palms and Amboy (around the ), there are ―loads‖ of wildflowers. Many, like the desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), Fremont’s pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii), globe Fruits of beargrass (Nolina parryi) by Michael Wall mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) and paper bag bush (Salarzia mexicana) will signal to you as you drive by. But you must stop and walk away from the road to see the delightful little belly flowers – the woolly sunflower (Eriophyllum wallacei), desert star (Monoptilon belloides), ghost flower (Mohavea confertiflora), purple mat (Nama demissum), little poppy (Eschscholzia parishii) and dozens of annual buckwheat’s (Eriogonum spp.).

Driving north on Hwy 395, the landscape is showing lots of color. In the Hills and along roadsides just south of Big Pine impressive patches of the pale yellow scale bud (Anisocoma acaulis), White tidy tips (Layia glandulosa) are lining the highway. Apricot mallow, (Sphaeralcea ambigua) and desert paintbrush (Castilleja chromosa) stand out as red buoys in this yellow sea. You have to get out of the car to inspect other flowers including yellow throats (Phacelia fremontii), milkvetches (Astragalus spp.), Fremont gold (Syntrichopappus fremontii), Wallace’s woolly sunflower (Eriopyllum wallacei), sand blossoms (Linanthus parryae), yellow turban (Eriogonum pusillum), yellow tackstem (Calyoseris parryi) and fragrant lupine (Lupinus odoratus). Some handsome desert shrubs are also blooming. Look around to find desert (Prunus andersonii), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) and golden currant (Ribes cereum). The geology of the area provides a dramatic background for the bountiful flowers. That’s it for this week. Look for our next report on Friday, April 29 and check back each week for the most up to date information on southern and central California wildflowers.

If you would like to be a wildflower reporter send your information about wildflower blooms and their location to [email protected] by Wednesday of each week when blooms of note occur.

NATIVE PLANT & WILDFLOWER EVENTS:

Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center is now open from 10am - 4pm weekdays and 9am – 5pm weekends for the duration of the wildflower season. Free guided tours will be offered daily beginning March 12: 11 am on weekdays; 10 am and 2 pm on weekends.

Hungry Valley State Recreation Area Bring your macro lens and join us for a free two-hour staff-led tour every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am. Tours begin at the Visitor Center at the north entrance to the park. We also have maps available at the kiosk for self-guided explorations. Due to varying road and trail conditions high clearance vehicles are recommended. Please check our website for trail conditions and wildflower updates before planning your visit: http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21945

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Saturday, 23 April, A search for the rare and elusive Allen's Daisy (Pentachaeta aurea ssp. allenii). It's a small aster found only in the hills above Laguna Beach and Limestone Canyon. Meet by 9am in the parking lot of the Nix Nature Center. Each parked vehicle needs a county (not federal, not state) parks pass, either an annual one or a day-use one; both are sold at the Nix Nature Center. Please try to carpool. At 9:15 am SHARP, we'll hike up the trail. It's about 1/8 mile up the Stagecoach Trail from the large sign in the south side of the parking lot. We'll also look at other wildflowers along the way up and down. An uncommon species, prostrate spineflower (Chorizanthe procumbens) is in bloom there as well. Should take no more than 1 hour from start to finish. No RSVP necessary. Leader: Bob Allen. Difficulty: <2/5. Bring hat, water, camera.

Topanga State Park  SUN 4/24 1pm. Springtime Splendor Wildflowers follow winter rains. Stroll with a docent naturalist to see what’s blooming under the oaks and in the grasslands. 2hrs TCD

Diamond Valley Lake  Seasonal Wildflower Loop Trail. This 1.3-mile loop trail extends from the Lakeview Trail and is rated as an easy-to-moderate hike, with some rugged terrain. Open from sunrise to sunset. Parking is $7 and a $2/person Lakeview Trail fee includes a map of the wildflower trail.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Saturday & Sunday, April 23 and 24, 10 am – 4 pm. Annual Wildflower Show. Experience the Garden at the height of wildflower season and an amazing display of ’s wildflowers collected and brought indoors for display and exclusive up close enjoyment. The wildflower show is free with standard Garden admission.

Descanso Gardens Docent Tours of the Gardens Saturdays, April-May | 1:30 p.m. | Center Circle.Take a guided tour of Descanso Gardens on Saturdays in April and May. Descanso's knowledgeable docents lead these hour-plus walking tours. Free with Gardens admission.

Seventh Annual Cambria Wildflower Show - Saturday, April 30 The Seventh Annual Cambria Wildflower Show, presented by Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, will be held on Saturday, April 30, from noon until 5 pm and Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Cambria Veterans Memorial Building, 1000 Main St. You will see a display of fresh wildflowers collected from the Monterey County line to the Morro Bay Estuary and from the coastal bluffs to the ridge of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Fresh flower will be labeled with its and family, along with its common name. Over 400 individual specimens are expected to be on display. The wildflower show will be free to students of all ages, but we will be asking others for a $3 donation at the door to help cover costs. A reference list will be provided to everyone attending and a species list will be available for purchase. These will be valuable aids to those who would like to continue investigating the wildflowers they see every day. Call 927-2856 or e-mail [email protected]

California Native Plant Society Chapters

California Native Plant Week, April 16 – April 23. Visit www.cnps.org to find out what activities your local chapter is sponsoring. A few are listed below.

CNPS-Los Angeles/Santa Monica Chapter Field trips: SUN 4/24 10am Malibu Bluffs Park Springtime Meander on the Bluffs. Discover native wildflowers and grasses (and the invasion of weeds). Enjoy great views of mountains and sea. Dip your toes into the bay as we walk along the beach and look for dolphins, whales and sea birds. 818-782-9346. 2hrs

Native Plant Week Symposium, Wildflower Show & Plant Sale APRIL 23, 2011 (SATURDAY); 9AM-4PM Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Blvd., Encino Sponsors: California Native Plant Society & Theodore Payne Foundation

CNPS-San Diego Chapter Field trips: April 30 - Public Plant Hike – Saturday, 47th Street Canyon 10:00am – noon For more information

CNPS-Channel Islands Chapter Saturday 23 April 2011, 10:00 AM – Noonish Botanic Tour, Santa Barbara County: Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park Tour Allen Braithewaite will be giving a botanic tour of the Salt Marsh Nature Park at Carpinteria Salt Marsh. Contact Andrea Adams-Morden for more information [[email protected] or 684-8077]. Directions: Meet at the entrance sign of the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park by Sandyland Road and Ash Avenue at 10 AM. Sandyland Road is reached by either Linden Avenue or Ash Avenue. So, take the Linden Avenue exit of US101 and drive south (towards the ocean) and turn Right (west) onto Sandyland Road, and continue until you get to Ash Avenue.

Saturday 23 April 2011, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM SPRING PLANT SALE The Chapter holding its Spring Plant Sale for the first time in eastern Ventura County, at the Calleguas Municipal Water District headquarters between Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, and Simi Valley. There with a nice selection of local native plants to choose from. Directions: Parking lot at Calleguas Municipal Water District offices at 2100 East Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. To get there take the Olsen Road exit off State Route 23 and go east towards Simi Valley. The entrance to Calleguas Municipal Water District headquarters is on the right a short distance east of the freeway.

CNPS-Riverside/San Bernardino Chapter Field Trips:

 Lake Skinner: Sat., April 23, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Explore plants and animals of the sage scrub, chaparral, and riparian habitats of the Lake Skinner Reserve with Christine Moen and Arlee Montalvo. Meet at Old Schoolhouse parking lot at 9:30 am; 3.5 mile hike starts at 10 am. Info: contact Arlee Montalvo ([email protected], (951-640-9549)).