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Home , Aconitum, Aconitum columbianum, Ceanothus prostratus, Cirsium andersonii, Delphinium glaucum, Erigeron coulteri

Pussypaws (or Pussy Toes) Sierra Morning Glory Western Calyptridium umbellatum Calystegia malacophylla Portulacaceae (Purslane) Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory) family Paeoniaceae (Peony) family May-August July–August May-June The flower head clusters are reminiscent There are over 1,000 of morning This flower’s are maroon to of fuzzy kitten paws. The stems and glory worldwide. Many bloom in the early brownish and the flower usually nods, flower heads are often almost prostrate morning hours, giving the family or points downward, so it can be easy (lying on the ground). Pussypaws are its name. Tahoe Donner is near the upper to miss. widespread and somewhat variable. elevation of the range for Sierra morning glory.

Rabbitbrush Snow WILDFLOWER Ericameria sp. Sarcodes sanguinea Salix spp. (Sunflower or Aster) family (Heath) family Salicaceae (Willow) family GUIDE August–October May–June March–June This is common throughout the Appears almost as soon as snow melts. There are several types of willow in Tahoe Donner area. The tips of the Saprophytic plant: obtains nutrients from the Tahoe Donner area, with blooming branches look yellow throughout the decaying organic matter in the soil (no seasons that extend from March at least blooming season. ). through June. The picture shows typical early-spring catkins (buds) that are getting ready to bloom, and gives the smaller types of willow the familiar name pussy willow.

Ranger’s Buttons Varileaf Phacelia Woolly Mule Ears Sphenosciadium capitellatum Phacelia heterophylla Wyethia mollis Apiaceae (Carrot) family Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf) family Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family July–August April–July June–July Often found in wet or swampy places. Many phacelias grow in the characteristic The most common species of mule ears Though there are many other members shape shown here, with the flowers on around Tahoe Donner, woolly mule ears of the carrot family, ranger’s button is a coiled cyme and with double, are easily identified by touching the the only species in the Sphenosciadium symmetrical cymes. Flowers can be leaves: they do feel woolly! . white/cream to light purple for different species.

Sierra Gooseberry Wallflower Woolly Mullein roezlii var. roezlii Erysimum capitatum Verbascum thapsus Grossulariaceae (Gooseberry) family Brassicaceae (Mustard) family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family April-June May-August June–September Gooseberry is a shrub with pretty foliage With a dense cluster of brightly colored Also called common mullein, this distinc- and flowers. The blossoms seem to hide, flowers atop a relatively long stem, tive plant is a non-native considered by hanging downward in the shade below wallflowers are notable. The four petals some to be invasive. With its tall flower long horizontal branches. The fruits are on each blossom are characteristic of the stalk it can grow up to six feet tall. spherical with many long spikes radiating mustard family. outward.

Sierra Larkspur Western Buttercup glaucum Ranunculus occidentalis (Buttercup) family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family July–September April–June A distinctive characteristic of larkspurs This early bloomer announces the is the tail, or spur, at the back of the arrival of spring. It prefers to grow blossom. Most larkspurs are fairly intense in wet meadows and along streams. blue-to-purple in color. Sierra larkspur, Photos and plant descriptions courtesy of Susan Kelso. also called mountain larkspur or tower (530) 587-9400 | tahoedonner.com larkspur, has an especially tall (the part of the plant where While pretty to look at, please do not take home wildflowers. Help the flowers are located), with many blossoms. prevent the spread of invasive species and keep ecosystems natural. Alpine Breeches Camas Lily Foxglove Monkshood Hydrophyllum capitatum Camassia quamash Digitalis purpurea columbianum var. alpinum Liliaceae (Lily) family Plantaginaceae (Plantain) family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family Boraginaceae (Borage) family May–July June-August June–August May-June Although famously found in the meadow A non-native plant, foxglove is native to The distinctive upper part of the The flower head is very close to the at the east end of Sagehen Creek Trail, temperate . It is often grown as an monkshood flower looks like a monk’s ground, beneath the leaves, giving there are camas lilies in Tahoe Donner ornamental plant due to its many color cowl. The reproductive parts are greenish- the plant kind of an upside-down also, not far from Intersection 15 in Euer variations, from white to pink to purple, yellowish. Flowers are pollinated by a appearance. Delicate extend Valley. The bulbs of these beautiful, deep and interesting spots on the inside of the specific bumblebee species with the from each flower. blue flowers were utilized by Native Americans. flower tube. All parts of the plant are considered toxic. correct size, weight and anatomy. All parts of the plant are toxic.

Alpine Shooting Star Checkerbloom Great Basin Violet Mountain Violet Primula tetranda glaucescens Viola beckwithii Viola purpurea Primulaceae (Primrose) family (Mallow) family Violaceae (Violet) family Violaceae (Violet) family June–August June–August April-June April-June Shooting stars, also called mosquito Several species of checkerbloom, or This is perhaps the most colorful violet Violets are yellow, purple, or white. bills, typically grow in wetlands such as checkermallow, are found in the area in the region, with light purple lower Mountain violet is the most common Euer Valley. The “bill” points downward around Tahoe Donner. petals (with yellow and white bases to yellow violet in the Tahoe Donner area. until the flower has been pollinated, after the petals) and darker purple upper In addition to the maroon veins on the which it points upward — a clear signal to petals. The leaves are oblong to linear lower petals, the back of the two upper not to bother visiting. and are fleshy. petals is purple.

Anderson’s Thistle Common Yarrow Lupine Paintbrush andersonii Lupinus sp. Castilleja sp. Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family Fabaceae (Pea) family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family July–August June–August June–August June–August Although there are several species The name millefolium means “thousand Lupines are recognizable by their leaves, Of the several species of paintbrush of thistles in the Tahoe Donner area, leaves,” a great description of the finely which have so-called palmate shapes, found in the Tahoe Donner area, the Anderson’s thistles are noted for divided, feathery leaves. Yarrow is found resembling an open hand with five or most common is Applegate’s paintbrush. attracting . widely across the Americas, and more fingers spread out. The flowers Paintbrush come in a variety of colors Australia. A yellow form is found in Tahoe are on stalks and bloom from the base and have differing shapes (number of Donner landscaping. toward the tip of the stalk. Most lupines are blue-purple, but some are lobes) of the , the colorful part of the plant people usually notice. white and some are yellow.

Aster Corn Lily Mahala Mat Pennyroyal Symphyotrichum sp. californicum prostratus Monardella odoratissima Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family var. californicum (Buckthorn) family Lamiaceae (Mint) family July–August Liliaceae (Lily) family May June–August In some cases several wildflowers July–August Common in Tahoe Donner, growing A minty odor, square stem and opposite look very similar and are difficult to Sometimes called false , corn in large patches or masses. Leaves stay leaves are characteristic of the mint distinguish. This is one example, since lily is fairly widespread above 4,000 feet green all summer after the (relatively family. Flowers can be pale purple, white some asters and daisies look similar from elevation. It typically grows in meadows brief) blooming season. Also called or lavender. the top/front side, with differences on the and other wet locations, and can grow up squaw carpet. Whenever prostratus is bottom/back side. Fairly common in Tahoe Donner, this is most likely to seven feet tall. The flower stalks develop later in the summer. the species name, look for a low-growing plant! Eaton’s aster (S. bracteolatum).

California Rayless Daisy Coulter’s Daisy Manzanita inornatus Erigeron coulteri Arctostaphylos sp. Penstemon sp. Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family Ericaceae (Heath) family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family July–September July–September May–June June–August Flowers in the aster family are Coulter’s daisy is a native daisy, with The most common shrub-like manzanita This is one of the several species of composites, consisting of ray flowers numerous white ray flowers. A similar in the Tahoe region is greenleaf blue-to-purple found in and disc flowers. The rayless flower with fewer ray flowers is oxeye manzanita (). the area around Tahoe Donner. daisy has only disc flowers, hence the daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), a non- There is also a lower, mat-like manzanita name rayless. native common in Tahoe Donner called pine-mat manzanita landscaping. The name vulgare means common. (Arctostaphylos nevadensis).