Wind Poppy (Papaver Heterophyllum). Photo by Michael Charters

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 May 11, 2012. New reports will be posted each Friday through the end of May. Reports from the field are including lots of clarkias (farewell-to-spring) on their plant lists. You know what that means—spring wildflower season is winding down. Celebrate mom and take her for an outing to view wildflowers this weekend. Up north at Pinnacles National Monument the different clarkias are very showy along the trails throughout the park. Look for elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata), wine-cup clarkia (Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera), and speckled clarkia (Clarkia affinis). Don’t miss the spectacular bloom along the Old Pinnacles Trail. Check out the bright red scarlet bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius), yellow pretty faces (Triteleia lugens) and patches of large gray leaves and sunny yellow flowers of the mule ears (Wyethia helenoides) — a very cool plant! Fringed onions (Allium fimbriatum var. fimbriatum), and checker lilies (Fritillaria affinis), wind poppy (Papaver heterophyllum) and butterfly mariposa lily (Calochortus venustus) are very photo worthy plants found on this trail as well.

Wind poppy (Papaver heterophyllum). Photo by Michael Charters

Early spring wildflowers along Figueroa Mountain Road are fading, but a wave of late blossoms are replacing them. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea), golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum), and paintbrush (Castilleja sp.) can be spotted here and there in the first stretch of the road from the cattle guard. At the serpentine wall, you will find wallflowers (Erysimum sp.), and beyond that mariposa lilies (Calochortus sp.) and butter lupine (Lupinus luteolus). Further up the road, the common seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) is lighting up the shaded areas. At poppy hill, there are still poppies and lupines, but they are quickly going to seed, and caterpillar phacelias (Phacelia cicutaria) are rapidly taking over. Between the campground and the Davey Bown trailhead, sky lupine (Lupinus nanus), chia (Salvia columbariae) and tidy tips (Layia platyglossa), continue to be colorful. In the corridor between Ranger Peak and Cachuma Saddle, many shades of bush monkey flower (Mimulus aurantiacus) are showing good color and, along with bush poppies (Dendromecon rigida) and bush lupine (Lupinus excubutus), are spectacular! Sunset Valley has a full palate of hues with golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum), scarlet bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius), popcorn flower (Cryptantha spp.), coreopsis (Coreopsis sp.), clarkias (Clarkia spp.) and more. Happy Canyon is equally remarkable with the blooms already mentioned, along with black sage (Salvia mellifera), wild California rose (Rosa californica), fiesta flower (Pholistoma sp.), dudleya (Dudleya sp.), paintbrush (Castilleja sp.) and fairy’s lanterns (Calochortus albus).

In the Angeles National Forest along Angeles Crest Highway and Big and Little Tujunga Canyon Roads there are quite a few flowering chaparral species below 4,000 ft. The California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) is very nice flashing creamy blossoms over the slopes. It is accompanied by the bright yellow bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida) and blue ceanothus (Ceanothus sp.). Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea), bush monkey flower (Mimulus aurantiacus), honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.) and chaparral yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei) round out the big showy shrubs. To enjoy the other, colorful plants, you may have to get out of the car and hike around a bit. Along cliff faces, you see dudleya (Dudleya sp.) and prickly phlox (Leptodactylon californicum) hanging out together. A lot of the paintbrush (Castilleja sp.) is found tucked around the buckwheat. Lupines (Lupinus spp.), wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), phacelia (Phacelia sp.) and forget-me- nots (Cryptantha spp.) take up sunny spots in between the taller shrubs.

Venturing out of the Los Angeles Basin towards the High Desert, detour over to Placerita Canyon Natural Area. The report is that they are at their peak of the wildflower season. The best trail for wildflowers is the Canyon Trail, which is a 2-mile (one way) gentle hike from the nature center to the Walker Ranch area. Flowers seen over the past week include elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata), paintbrush (Castilleja sp.), Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), blue larkspur (Delphinium sp.), farewell to spring (Clarkia amoena), virgin's bower (Clematis sp.), California everlasting (Pseudognaphalium californicum), bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon sp.), California wild rose (Rosa californica), bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida), Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea), goldfields (Lasthenia sp.), dudleyas (Dudleya spp.).

Looking for an outing to take mom for Mother’s Day? They will be fading fast, but there are still a few healthy patches of poppies at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve along the south Poppy Loop trail and the upper Antelope Vista Butte Trail loop. A few other wildflowers are scattered along the trails such as fiddleneck (Amsinckia sp.), grape soda lupine (Lupinus excubitus) and others. This is the last weekend that the Visitor Center will be open.

Late snowfall and rain have yielded masses of flowers now blooming at Hungry Valley SRA . At the intersection of Stipa Trail and Powerline Rd., stop the smell the intoxicating fragrance of grape soda lupine (Lupinus excubitus). The Spencer’s primrose (Camissoniaopsis sp.) and desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata) are forming an especially bright carpet of yellow color. Desert tidy tips (Layia glandulosa) and forget-me- nots (Cryptantha spp.), along with pastel patches of baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) and the pink Davey's broad-flowered gilia (Gilia latiflora ssp. davyi) are increasing in numbers after the rain as well. California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are blooming in increasing numbers, especially along the Wheatfield and Salt Lick Trails near Powerline Road.

A report from the field in the eastern Mojave, at Hole-In-The-Wall, Mid Hills, and Kelso Dunes, notes that annuals are nearly non-existent, but perennials are flowering and coloring the landscape. Creosote (Larrea tridentata) is in flower everywhere and many types of cacti are just starting to open. Members of the sunflower family like brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) are happy to take the role of “star attraction” instead of competing with the annual wildflowers. They are in peak bloom, but will probably continue for weeks. Mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum) is hanging around in the desert trees along the washes, and are in fruit, with many birds such as phainopepla feeding on them.

Still good wildflower viewing at Joshua Tree National Park. the Mastodon Peak Trail continues to be nice with cacti, Mohave asters (Xylorhiza tortifolia) and rock live-forever (Dudleya saxosa) replacing the fading wildflowers. Sand blazing star (Mentzelia involucrata) is still going strong, and Sylvia’s Wash, 2.7 miles south of Cottonwood Visitor Center is an excellent wildflower stop. Search the canyon walls and trails around Cottonwood for a real nice displays of yellow bladderpod (Peritoma arborea), the red flowering chuparosa (Justicia californica), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) and the coral- colored wands of desert mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua). Ocotillo Patch is still magnificent and more flowers are appearing along Pinto Basin Road and Park Boulevard. Use a turn out and check out the patches of purple mat (Nama demissum) and onyx flower (Achyronychia cooperi). There are stands of coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) and desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata) in Wilson Canyon. Several species of cacti are beginning to bloom throughout the park. Look for the pink flowers on beavertail cactus (Optuntia basilaris) and calico cactus (Echinocereus engelmanii) around Cottonwood. All the cacti will be in peak bloom next month

In the San Jacinto Mountains along the Palms to Pines Highway (74) you might want to hike the Cactus Spring trail. Reportedly it has a good display of colorful perennials like desert mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), various penstemons (Penstemon spp.), wild onions (Allium spp.) and cacti just starting to flower. There are still a few annuals dotting the landscape as well. Continuing through Garner Valley to Idyllwild, you will see lupines (Lupinus spp.). paintbrush (Castilleja spp.) and wallflower (Erysimum capitatum) in bloom along the roadside. In Mountain Center and Idyllwild proper, chaparral whitethorn (Ceanothus leucodermis) is showing many hues of blue on the chaparral covered slopes. The clovers are standouts this week at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. Look for balloon clover (Trifolium depauperatum), tomcat clover (Trifolum willdenovii), small head field clover (Trifolium microcephalum) and spanish clover (Acmispon americanus) throughout the preserve. The bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) is very showy among the rocks and boulders. The thread leaf brodiaea (Brodiaea filifolia) is up on the clay flats, and the lithe splendid mariposa lily (Calochortus splendens) is sticking up among the grassy trail slopes. Bush lupine (Lupinus excubitus var. hallii) and chaparral yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei) are stand outs here and there throughout the preserve.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is pretty much done for any good show of wildflowers. However, west of Anza Borrego at 3500 feet, on the Pacific Crest Trail from Barrel Springs (S22) to Warner Springs (SR79), there are some nice plants to visit. You need to get out of the flatlands and into the hilly regions. Golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum), forget- me-nots (Cryptantha intermedia), beavertail cactus (Opuntia basilaris), baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii), common phacelia (Phacelia distans), and Ramona clarkia (Clarkia similis) are fairly abundant and ready to be photographed.

Ramona clarkia (Clarkia similis), beavertail cactus (Opuntia basilaris). Photos by Michael Charters

Seldom explored, Upper Hot Springs Canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains is excellent for botanizing this time of year. Numerous annual wildflowers that confetti the landscape with blue, pink, white and yellow are mountain dandelion (Agoseris grandiflora), known for it wonderful seed head, purple owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta), four-spot clarkia (Clarkia purpurea), chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), goldfields (Lasthenia sp.) forget-me- nots (Cryptantha spp.), larkspurs (Delphinium spp.), baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii), and phacelias (Phacelia spp.). Annuals that are less common include golden linanthus, (Leptosiphon aureus), small-flowered meconella (Meconella denticulata), and Douglas sandwort (Minuartia douglasii). Showy larger perennials that fill in the landscape are slender sunflower (Helianthus gracilentus), San Diego sweet pea (Lathyrus vestitus var. vestitus), bush lupine (Lupinus excubitus), felt paintbrush (Castilleja foliosa) and the very fragrant San Miguel savory (Satureja chandleri). Then, sticking upright here and there, are some splendid geophytes like Humboldt lily (Lilium humboldtii var. oscellatum), blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), red-skinned onion (Allium haematochiton), fairy lantern lily (Calochortus albus) and a large patch of orchids (Epipactis giganteum).

Stream Orchid (Epipactis gigantea) Photo by Ron Vanderhoff

. The Habitat Gardens at Elizabeth Learning Center in Cudahy are still experiencing a colorful bloom, especially with many rare native species. This week, the Flagpole Garden has San Clemente Island brodiaea (Brodiaea kinkiensis) just starting to flower. The unusual Farnsworth jewelflower (Streptanthus farnsworthianus) is outstanding now. Clarkias (Clarkia spp.) of every kind contrast their wild pinks to the sulphur buckwheat (Eriogonum crocatum). Chia (Salvia columbariae), phacelias, (Phacelia spp.), California poppy (Eschscholzia calfornica), desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata), owl’s clover (Castileja sp.) and lupines (Lupinus spp.) make up a colorful show of annuals. The Matilija poppy (Romenya coulteri) blooms are outrageous!. At site 2 in front of the Family Center & Elizabeth Street Clinic, there are bright colorful carpets of all the flowers mentioned above and many, many more. The prickly poppy (Argeome corymbosa), bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), and the Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii) are real standouts here. The general public is always welcome to visit the gardens at the Elizabeth Learning Center from 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday thru Friday. Anyone interested in visiting just needs to get a Visitor's Pass from the Main Office and say they are here for the Habitat Garden Wildflowers. Elizabeth Learning Center Garden. Photos by George Nanoski

In the display gardens at the Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley, check out the showy penstemon (Penstemon spectabilis), multicolored monkeyflower varieties (Mimulus cultivars), - Farnsworth's Jewel Flower (Streptanthus farnsworthianus), canyon dudleya (Dudleya cymosa), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata), paper flower (Psilostrophe cooperi), lilac verbena (Verbena lilacina) and Matillija poppy (Romneya coulteri).

Farnsworth's Jewel Flower (Streptanthus farnsworthianus). Photo by George Nanoski

That’s it for this week. Look for our next report on Friday, May 18 and check back each week for the most up to date information on southern and central California wildflowers.

NATIVE PLANT & WILDFLOWER EVENTS: CNPS-Los Angeles Santa Monica Mountains Chapter SUN May 20- 9:00 am Griffith Park Wildflower Walk. For more information go to www.lasmmcnps.org

CNPS-Orange County Chapter Sunday, May 20. CNPS Orange County's next field trip will be to the Laguna Beach area. Trips are free and open to the public. www.OCCNPS.org. CNPS-San Diego Chapter Saturday, May 26 - Public Plant Hike, Marion Bear Park 10:00am – noon. From Highway 52, exit at Regents Street. Turn south, go 200 yards, turn right, drive to parking lot 619-297-2957. 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.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve

Last Weekend Open for 2012. Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center March 10am - 4pm weekdays and 9am – 5pm weekends for the duration of the wildflower season.

The Arlington Garden in Pasadena is a three acre California native, wildflower and Mediterranean climate plant public garden open every day from dawn to dusk. And it's free. The garden is just seven years old but in full bloom. It shouldn't be missed. Elizabeth Learning Center The general public is always welcome to visit the gardens at the Elizabeth Learning Center from 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday thru Friday. Anyone interested in visiting just needs to get a Visitor's Pass from the Main Office and say they are here for the Habitat Garden Wildflowers.