Welcome to the 29th Annual Wildflower Hotline, brought to you by the Theodore Payne Foundation, a non- profit nursery, seed source, book store, and education center dedicated to the preservation of wildflowers and native . This is the Friday, May 6 report. New reports will be posted each Friday through the end of May.

At lower elevations, the annual wildflowers are fading somewhat, but the stalwart shrubs and perennials are still showy and invite hikers to get out and enjoy a walk among the fragrant blossoms. In the local mountains above 4000 feet, both annuals and perennials are very showy.

In County at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve there are still many flowering plants to delight you. Here California’s scrub vegetation meets the coast for a spectacular landscape with vistas of the Pacific. The woody shrubs like ceanothus (Ceanothus sp.), Nevin’s barberry (Berberis nevinii) and bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida) are done flowering but still lush and producing fruit while bush sunflower (Encelia californica), chalk dudleya (Dudleya pulverulenta), white sage (Salvia apiana) and black sage (Salvia mellifera), monkeyflower (Mimulus puniceus), purple nightshade (Solanum parishii) and San Diego sea dahlia (Coreopsis maritima) pepper the canyons and bluffs with their showy flowers. The long wavy leaves of soap plant (Chlorogalum parviflorum) can be seen tucked under and around shrubs. Their pretty white flowers open in the late afternoon inviting bumble bees to take their last bit of nectar before evening. Common phacelia (Phacelia distans) and caterpillar phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria) cozy up to the base of shrubs for their sun protection. In open areas, look for splendid mariposa lilies (Calochortus splendens), yellow pincushion (Chaenactis glabriuscula), chia (Salvia columbariae), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) and a few lingering goldfields (Lasthenia californica) and tidy tips (Layia platyglossa). Chaparral yucca (Yucca whipplei) has sent up flowering stalks in preparation of a spectacular bloom.

By far, the best walk for wildflower viewing at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is the path behind the visitor center that goes through a recent fire recovery area. There is an impressive display of Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla) with numerous stalks of Parry’s larkspur (Delphinium parryi) mingled with them. Other fabulous ―fire followers‖ include blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), phacelia (Phacelia minor), purple clarkia (Clarkia purpurea), whispering bells (Emmenanthe penduliflora), owl's clover (Castilleja exerta ssp. exserta), goldfields (Lasthenia californica), blue toad-flax (Linaria canadensis) and checkerbloom (Sidalcea malvaflora). Along the road leading to the plateau and throughout the chaparral covered trails are are stands of bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) and golden yarrow (Eriohyllum confertiflorum). A true sign of late spring-early summer is the sight and odor of everlastings (Gnaphalium spp.) with their heavy molasses scent filling the air on hot afternoons. In shade under oaks you will still find western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis), hoary bowlesia (Bowlesia incana), checkerbloom (Sidalcea malvaflora ssp. sparsiflora) and baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii). There are many other blooms playing ―hide-and-seek‖ among the tall grasses throughout the plateau trails.

The spectacular cacti that Anza Borrego Desert State Park is famous for are just starting to flower on the west slope of Grapevine Mountain. Along the Pacific Crest Trail, look for the hot pink and red flowers of hedgehog (Echinocereus engelmannii) ) and beavertail cactus (Optuntia basilaris) and the yellow-green flowers of Gander's cholla (Cylindropuntia ganderi). You may also Cacti blooming at Anza Borrego Desert State Park: photo spot Panamint dudleya (Dudleya saxosa) in bloom along courtesy of Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association the Grapevine Canyon Road along with fringed spineflower (Chorizanthe frimbriata) Further south in Plum Canyon, the scarlet tassels of Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) and the red blooms of chuparosa (Justicia californica) serve as a great color combo to the yellow brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) and the lime green-yellow fruit of turpentine-broom (Thamnosma montana). Southward on S-2, the colorful desert rock pea (Lotus rigidus) lines the roadway with thistle sage (Salvia carduaceae) providing a splash of blue opposite the entrance to Blair Valley

Cacti, including Mojave mound (Echinocereus triglochidiatus), hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii) and teddy-bear cholla (Cylindropuntia begelovii) are blooming throughout Joshua Tree National Park. Cap Rock Nature Trail is the best walk to view a large diversity of flowering plants. Stop at the Cholla Cactus Garden on Pinto Basin Road for dramatic scenery, blooming cholla and yellow desert senna (Senna armata). Look for blazing star (Mentzelia nitens) with its rough sandpapery foliage, brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), California coreopsis (Coreopsis californica), creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and several annual and perennial buckwheat’s (Eriogonum spp.).The spectacular red blooms of ocotillo (Fouquiera splendens) at the Ocotillo Patch are attracting hummingbirds who constantly argue over whose turn it is at the feeding frenzy. In the south end of the park, Mastodon Peak Trail at Cottonwood has blooming hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii) and silver cholla (Optunia echinocarpa). Look for the magnificent prince’s plume (Stanleya pinnata) at Cottowood as well. Wallace’s woolly daisy (Eriophyllum wallacei) and its daisy companion, desert star (Monoptilon bellioides), are in sandy patches throughout the park. One plant that gets overlooked is the sweetbush (Bebbia juncea) because it isn’t visually showy. But the fragrance of its little flowers is the absolute sweetest the desert has to offer. Desert forget-me-not (Cryptantha spp.), popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys spp.), Fremont’s pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii) and ghost flower (Mohavea confertifolia) are still hanging on in many places throughout the park. Quail Spring and other pull-outs in the west of the park are rich with flowers as well. Keys View area has potential blooms, so the best is still to come there.

The roadsides and landscapes along Kelbaker Road in the are dotted with individual or small patches of flowering annuals and dazzling desert perennials. You must get out of the car and walk around to take in the full spectrum of color and beauty. Most notably are the showy indigo bush (Psorothamnus arborescens), apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), and the very stunning Mojave aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia).

Indigo bush (Psorothamnus arborescens), apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), Mojave aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia): photos courtesy of Bill Hunt

Up highway 395 to the Alabama Hills and Bishop area, the wildflower displays are not as good overall as last year, but there is still much to see and enjoy. Again, get out of the car to explore and you will be richly rewarded with some good pockets of color. The lower slopes around the Poleta area (east of Bishop out East Line St.) have a nice carpet of yellow tack-stem ( parryi). Desert pincushion (Chaenactis sp.) is also abundant throughout Owens Valley. Apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is abundant. Chocolate drops (Caulanthus pilosus) have been spotted on the east edge of Hwy. 395 around 6,000’ heading north from Bishop. The lower elevations of the Inyo Mountains are good places to check out for cacti, desert chicory (Rafinesquia neomexicana), white tack-stem (), Mojave aster (Xylorhiza tortifolia), several species of phacelia (Phacelia spp.), gilia (Gilia spp.), Panamint prince’s plume (Stanleya elata), sand blossoms (Linanthus parryae), and Easter bonnets (Eriophyllum lanosum). Some of the shrubs that are currently blooming include bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), desert peach (Prunus andersonii), spiny hop-sage (Grayia spinosa), indigo bush (Psorothamnus arborescens), cotton thorn (Tetradymia axilllaris) and bush sunflower (Encelia actoni). Yellow is the dominate color as you drive by much of the area with Cooper’s goldenbush (Ericamera cooperi), desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata) and scale bud (Anicoma acaulis) buttering the landscape.

Winding your way through the San Jacinto Mountains north of Idyllwild on highway 243, stop and walk the lower and chaparral covered portion of Black Mountain Trail. Along the short road to the trail, bajada lupine (Lupinus concinnus var. optatus). is everywhere along with elegant rock cress (Arabis sparsiflora) and showy penstemon (Penstemon spectabilis). Pink-bracted manzanita (Arctostaphylos pringleii ssp. drupaceae) branches are bending under the weight of flower clusters and blue chaparral whitethorn (Ceanothus leucodermis) is just starting to flower and fill the air with fragrant lilac scent. Along the edges of the shrub cover is miner’s lettuce (Claytonia sp.)—salad bowls full of it! Where the trail levels out, put on your sun goggles, because the brilliant white of zillions of redroot cryptantha (Cryptantha micrantha) is likely to cause snow blindness. As the trail follows a small drainage, you will see the western azalea (Rhododendron occidentalis) and mountain pink currant (Ribes nevadense) blooming.

If you can get beyond ―ooohing and aaahing‖ the wildflower meadow just inside the entrance to Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, you will find many more delights along the trails. Thank goodness for digital cameras that allow you unlimited photo opportunities! Photo worthy trees and shrubs in glorious bloom now include buckeye (Aesculus californica), elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), the bush anemone (Carpenteria californica), Higgin’s barberry (Berberis higginsiae), Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa), spice bush (Calycanthus occidentalis), mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii), chaparral beard tongue (Keckiella antirrhinoides), and woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum). Stunning plants draped in white include Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri), angelica (Angelica tomentosa) and dune primrose (Oenothera deltoides). Come for the acclaimed wildflower meadow. Stay for the flowering trees and shrubs.

In the Santa Monica Mountains along the Grotto Trail at Circle X Ranch, there is still a lot of water in the creek and newts are cavorting, which makes this hike especially nice. Covering the sunny slopes are blue dicks (Dichelostema captitatum), black sage (Salvia mellifera), sugar bush (Rhus ovata), bush monkey flower (Mimulus

Dune primrose (Oenothera deltoides) and aurantiacus), and purple nightshade bush anemone (Carpenteria californica): (Solanum parishii), and brightening up photos courtesy of Michael Wall the shady slopes is canyon sunflower (Venegasia capesiodes). Just past the second creek crossing there is a rock wall with a water seep. It is completely covered in masses of creek monkey flower (Mimulus guttatus) along with a mosaic of Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), dudleya (Dudleya sp.) and willow herb clarkia (Clarkia epilobodes). Really a lovely hanging garden! The trail up to the meadow has popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys sp.) and crytantha (Cryptantha sp.) deerweed (Lotus scoparius), caterpillar phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria), wild morning glory (Calystegia macrostegia), California chicory (Rafinesquia californica) and woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum). The meadow is carpeted with Catalina mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae). Continuing down through the chaparral there are star lilies (Zigadenus fremontii), chaparral yucca (Yucca whipplei), golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum), chamise (Adenostema fasciculatum), blue eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), and hummingbird sage (Salvia spathaceae), all looking quite lovely.

The Canyon View trail does not have the lovely accompaniment of a nearby stream, but as the name suggests, there are wonderful views. At the beginning of the trail (branching off from the Grotto Trail) there are swaths of yellow monkey flower (Mimulus sp.). Twining snapdragon (Antirrhinum filipes) are weaving their way up into the sturdier shrubs like black sage (Salvia mellifera), California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) and chamise (Adenostema fasciculatum). Blooming yucca (Yucca whipplei), wild morning glory (Calystegia macrostegia), purple clarkia (Clarkia purpurea), elegant clarkia (Clarkia unquiculata), globe gilia (Gilia capitata), caterpillar phacelia and gorgeous Parry’s phacelia (Phacelia parryi) are sprinkled throughout. There are some collarless poppies (Eschescolzia caespitosa) and blooming sugar bush (Rhus ovata) as well as star lilies (Zigadenus fremontii) and butterfly mariposa Lilies (Calochortus venustus). The creek is filled with step pools and lined with blooming red skinned onions (Allium haematochiton), creek monkey flower (Mimulus guttatus) and speedwell (Veronica sp.). A lovely spot.

For the newcomer to California, a quick lesson in California’s scrub vegetation would be a walk around Stough Canyon Nature Center in Burbank’s . The shrubs are lush and beautiful from the extraordinary rain events we had this year. Enjoy our familiar, friendly and aromatic black sage (Salvia mellifera) in gorgeous full bloom along with sage scrub associates, sugarbush (Rhus ovata), bright yellow bush sunflower (Encelia californica), bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), catepillar phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria) and elderberry (Sambucus mexicana). Poking out from the cliff faces along the fire roads are bright pink prickly phlox (Leptodactylon californicum) and golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum). The star of the show this week would be the brilliant scarlet larkspur (Delphinium cardinale). So far, Stough Canyon is the only place reporting it in flower. Go see it!

Mid-spring at Placerita Canyon Natural Area ushers in a spectacular display of chaparral’s champion shrubs— Mexican elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), yerba santa (Eriodyction sp.), and black sage (Salvia mellifera) accompanied by golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum), dudleya (Dudleya sp.),and blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum). Some early annuals still seen in shady, protected areas, include various phacelias (Phacelia spp.), baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii), and globe gilia (Gilia capitatum). The mid to late spring annuals are finally showing up for the parade, most notably, the farewell-to-spring (Clarkia sp.).

This is the last report from National Monument. The exotic annual grasses crowded out and stole the usual showy wildflower display this year. We can wait and hope for a better year in 2012. Not all is lost. The Layia (Layia sp.) is still prominent near the Goodwin Education Center and there may be a bloom in the Caliente Mtns. Check it out. There may be surprises.

Wildflower viewing in the Coast Ranges at Pinnacles National Monument more than makes up for the disappointment at Carrizo Plain. Venus thistle (Cirsium occidentale), golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum), goldfields (Lasthenia californica), California butterweed (Senecio californica), mule ears (Wyethia helenoides), jewel flower (Streptanthus glandulosa) and Indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis ssp. affinis) are sooo fabulous now! Hillside pea (Lathyrus vestitus), silver bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons), miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor), bajada lupine (Lupinus concinnus), chick lupine (Lupinus microcarpus), arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus), and collar lupine (Lupinus truncatus) are all in peak flower. The colorful poppy family —bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida), tufted poppy (Eschscholzia caespitosa), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), and cream cups (Platystemon californica) add confetti to the landscape. Deep red Indian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora) and bush mallow (Malacothamnus aboriginum) are stunning. The bulb plants, checker lily (Fritillaria affinis), pretty faces (Triteleia lugens), and star lily (Zigadenus fremontii) are poking up everywhere. Don’t always keep your eyes to the ground posy peeping. Look up now and then and enjoy the impressive geology and condors (maybe) too!

Generous snowpack melt in is nourishing a magnificent bloom this spring. The route from Mariposa to El Portal provides visitors with a variety of visual delights. Most noticeable is the bright yellow common madia (Madia elegans) which flowers in the spring and again in the summer. Find fields of madia along sunny slopes in lower elevations. Just coming into bloom and coloring the landscape are mountain jewelflower (Streptanthus tortuosus), pretty face (Triteleia ixoides spp. anilina), Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophyla), blazing star (Mentzelia crocea), twining brodiaea (Dichelostemma volubile), paper- flowered onion (Allium hyalinum), Western wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) and Applegate’s paintbrush (Castilleja applegatei). Several lupine varieties display their blue and white flags, and include bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons), miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor) and white-flowered lupine (Lupinus microcarpus). Yosemite has approximately 26 species of lupines—something for everybody’s lupine palette! The fleshy leaves of brightly colored Sierra stonecrop (Sedum obtusatum) rise of out steep rock crevices often dark with dew. Its thick green leaves form a rosette base with erect reddish stems that are topped by perfect yellow flowers. Prickly thistles are just starting to rise up on the Sierra landscape. Anderson’s thistle (Cirsium andersonii), California thistle (Cirsium occidentale), and alpine thistle (Cirsium scariosum) are very showy. Earlier blooms that are still standing include the pale yellow many-flowered monkeyflowers (Mimulus floribundus), bright yellow foothill pseudobahia (Pseudobahia heermannii), baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii) , bright pink red maids (Calandrinia ciliata), and intensely-colored blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum). Common lomatium (Lomatium utriculatum) adds a yellow hue to grassy slopes, Also, continue to look for the yellow heads of golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum). View the last of the urn-shaped flowers of the Mariposa manzanita (Arctostaphylos viscida ssp. Mariposa) and In Yosemite Valley, mountain dogwoods (Cornus nuttallii) are beginning to come into flower along the waterfalls and streams.

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 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 excellent displays of bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum), and buckeye (Aesculus californica). The chaparral yucca has sent up its flower stalk and is starting to open its large creamy white blossoms.

Back home, literally, on the 22-arces of the Theodore Payne Foundation sales yard and wildflower hill, the flowering plants are ―selling themselves.‖ Who doesn’t want a Matillija Poppy (Romneya coulteri) when you see those fabulous large white crepe blossoms with bright gold centers? Or the showy penstemon (Penstemon spectabilis), because it’s so…well…showy! Fragrant and beautiful mock orange (Philidelphus lewisii) and sages (Salvia spp. & cultivars) are in bloom, along with the pink fairyduster (Caliandra eriophyllum) woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum) and Channel Island Bush Poppy (Dendromecon harfordii). Some of the special and spectacular annuals including elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata), Farnsworth's jewel flower (Streptanthus farnsworthianus) and, of course, the popular favorite for everyone’s garden, the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) are at peak bloom. The blue palo verde tree (Cercidium floridum) with its yellow blossoms provide dappled shade for all.

Mock orange (Philidelphus lewisii) and woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum): photos courtesy of Michael Wall

California’s wildflowers are a precious legacy. To ensure that flowers return each year, remember to stay on designated trails and please don’t pick the flowers!

That’s it for this week. Look for our next report on Friday, May 13 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.

Placerita Canyon Natural Area Special Event: Our annual open house will be held May 14th from 10AM to 3PM and will include several wildflower and ethnobotany walks. See the website for more info (placerita.org)

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.

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.

California Native Plant Society Chapters

CNPS-Los Angeles/Santa Monica Chapter Field trips: SAT 5/21 8:30 Caballero Canyon, Tarzana Wildflower Hike. RSVP. 818-881-3706. 3hrs

CNPS-San Diego Chapter Field trips: May 7 - Public Plant Hike – Saturday, 10:00am – noon For more information