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 California native . This is the Friday, April 8th report. New reports will be posted each Friday through the end of May.

There is excellent wildflower viewing throughout southern California in mid spring. The following is just a sampler of popular sites for flower enthusiasts.

Enjoy strolling through two very different environments within the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach. Along the trails of the bright, sunny desert section see brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), desert mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla), bladderpod (Isomeris arborea). By contrast go along the trails in the lush shaded riparian habitat and see Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis), California wild rose (Rosa californica), blackberry (Rubus ursinus), hummingbird sage (Salvia spathaceae), Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana), coral bells (Heuchera sp.) Travel south to San Diego County, home of Torrey Pines State Natural Preserve and enjoy the final days of peak bloom in the park. Canyon shrubs lush from winter rains and showing off bright yellow flowers, include Nevin’s barberry (Berberis nevinii), bladderpod (Isomeris arborea), rock rose (Helianthemum scoparium), and bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida). These woody plants are often laced with the climbing pink San Diego rose pea (Lathyrus vestitus var. alefeldii). San Diego sea dahlia (Coreopsis maritima), goldfields (Lasthenia coronaria), and tidy tips (Layia platyglossa) are scattered in patches along the trails along with coast paintbrush ( affinis ssp. affinis), owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta), and cream cups (Platystemon californicus). Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) and golden stars ( clevelandii), poke up through grasses and around the bases of shrubs. Some pathways in the reserve are closed for repair. Check in at the Visitor Center to ask about the status of popular trails. Drive east from San Diego along Highway 79 for some stunning roadside scenery. Just before descending into Anza Borrego, the wildflower displays around Cuyamaca Rancho State Park will likey distract, then detour you from your intended desert destination. Lake Cuyamaca is known for its open meadows, bubbling creeks and excellent trails. Meadows are decked out in shades of chiffon yellow with Johnny jump-up (Viola pedunculata), cream cups (Platystemon californicus), and buttercup (Ranunculus californica). Spreading over the slopes above the meadows are masses of goldfields (Lasthenia sp.). with pink checkerbloom (Sidalcea malvaeflora), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), and white popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys sp.) scttered about.

On the way into Anza Borrego Desert State Park along the Montezuma Valley Road, the display of heart-leaved primrose (Camissonia cardiophylla) continues to be spectacular. On the rocky cliffs, some plants are nearly three feet tall. The yellow flowers, which will turn red with age, are being joined by the orange blossoms of apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua). Use the turnouts to stop for a close-up photo of these showy plants, and notice the tiny blue flowers of the few-flowered wreath-plant (Stephanomeria pauciflora). Nearby you will find the yellow green inflated fruit on the thick-leaved ground cherry (Physalis crassifolia). On the Valley floor, the bloom of wildflowers is fading, but in Desert Gardens, red blooms at the tips of Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), and deep dark blue flowers on the indigo bush (Psorothamnus schottii) are still coloring the landscape. There are yellow flowers on the barrel cactus (Ferrocactus cylindraceus), and the creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). On your walk to look for flowers, you may find yourself in the company of a good number of birds feasting on the fruits and seeds of desert’s bounty.

Heading north into the Palm Springs area, try hiking in one or more of the Indian Canyons at the base of the snow covered San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mtns. Right now in Tahquitz and Andreas Canyons, creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), and desert apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) are very showy. There are more smaller wildflowers scattered around, but not in great numbers.

Trails and roadsides throughout Joshua Tree National Park, except at the highest elevations, are bright with flowers. More than 140 have been reported in bloom. The best way to see wildflowers is to stop, park safely in a designated turn-out, get out of the car and walk around with your camera. Recommended areas for those ―turnout moments‖ are (in addition to the south end of the park we’ve been reporting on for weeks) trails around the West (Joshua Tree) Entrance; the, 49 Palms Oasis Trail, and the Geology Tour Road. Four wheel drive is recommended if you go beyond Malapai Hill on the Geology Tour Road. Ubiquitous, but always spectacular shrubs pop out throughout the landscape and incude brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), the fragrant desert lavender (Hyptis emoryi), and sunny yellow-gold Parish’s viguiera (Viguiera parishii). Filling in the patches of sand between the shrubs with their own colorful displays are desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), Parish’s golden poppy (Eschscholzia parishii), brown- eyed primrose (Camissonia claviformis), and Chia (Salvia columbariae). Ribbons of Wallace’s woolly daisy (Eriophyllum wallacei )and Bigelow’s monkey flower (Mimulus bigelovii) border the sandy washes and draws. Heart-leaved evening primrose (Camissonia cardiophylla ssp cardiophylla,) silky dalea (Dalea mollis) wild heliotrope (Phacelia distans), rock hibiscus (Hibiscus denudatus), desert bell (Phacelia campanularia), brittle spineflower (Chorizanthe brevicornu var. brevicornu), and several buckwheat species (Eriogonum spp.) embrace rocky slopes and bajadas. If you are driving out to the Colorado River for a little boating and recreation, travel U.S. 95 south of Needles to see fields of yellow desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata) sprinkled here and there with blue phacelia (Phacelia spp.) The showy wildflower bloom has finally started to move to the higher elevations in the northern boundary of the Needles BLM Field Office region. Giant nolina (Nolina parryi), Indian paint brush (Castilleja sp.) and Mojave gold poppy (Eschscholzia glyptosperma) are all in bloom. Enjoy a high desert flower show along the Kingston/Excelsior Mine road north of I-15 between Baker CA and Primm NV. Take the Cima Rd exit and turn north. The road is maintained until it intersects with Kingston Road 10 Miles North of I-15. From this point on, the road is normally passable for another 10 miles to Tecopa pass in the Kingston Range, but it is no longer maintained. Drive with caution and enjoy the colorful desert scenery.

Cruising north along the eastern slope of the Sierra on Hwy 395, watch for the stirrings of spring bloom. In the Alabama Hills and along roadsides just south of Big Pine are good places to see patches of scale bud (Anisocoma acaulis) lining the highway. Brown-eyed primrose (Camissonia claviformis), apricot mallow, (Sphaeralcea ambigua) and desert paintbrush (Castilleja chromosa) show off their bright colors as well. You have to get out of the car to inspect other flowers including yellow throats (Phacelia fremontii), Fremont gold (Syntrichopappus fremontii), Wallace’s woolly sunflower (Eriopyllum wallacei), sand blossoms (Linanthus parryae), little blazing star (Mentzelia albicaulis) and the dainty little gilia Giant nolina (Nolina parryi), photo credit to (Gilia sp.). Along Movie Road the showy the Needles BLM Field Office scarlet milk-vetch (Astragalus coccineus) is in full bloom. The geology of the area provides a dramatic background for the bountiful flowers.

The best hikes at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve are along the North Poppy Loop and the Kitanemuk Vista Point trails. The poppy (Eschscholzia californica) bloom is still moderate at the Reserve, but the grape soda lupine (Lupinus excubitus var. hallii) is very showy with blue-purple flower stems standing tall above the silvery foliage. The purple owl's clover (Castilleja exerta), another favorite of visitors, is blooming everywhere. If you are on the trails in late afternoon, carpets of evening snow (Linnathus dichotomus), closed and invisible during the day, open up to bid you a good evening.

Traveling from the desert to the mountains there are sweet little wildflowers blooming even with snow on the ground in much of the region. In the San Bernardino Mountains the Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve sits on a special substrate called the pebble plains. There are loads of Douglas' violet (Viola douglasii), and Parish’s rock cress (Boechera parishii) in full bloom, as well as a cute short morph of shooting star (Dodecatheon hendersonii). Other bell flowers in flowering now include the pygmy flower rock jasmine (Androsace septentrionalis), alkali draba (Cusickiella douglasii), slender phlox (Microsteris gracilis) and much much more!

In neighboring Riverside County in the Santa Ana Mountains, visit another very special habitat at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. The main trails — the vernal pool trail and trans preserve trail—offer up a number of excellent flowers. There are a few remaining chocolate lilies (Fritillaria biflora) on grassy slopes, and a huge number of Western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis) and goldfields (Lasthenia californica). Look for a little bulb plant called common (). On first glance, it looks like another flowering onion of the genus, but closer investigation shows it is different enough NOT to fit in with the onion cousins. Close but different, muilla is allium spelled backwards. This is what passes as humor for taxonomists! Other colorful characters including purple owl’s clover (Castilleja densiflora), blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), bush lupine (Lupinus excubitus var. hallii), red maids (Calandrinia ciliata), pink checkerbloom (Sidalcea malviflora ssp. sparsifolia), purple sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida), ground pink (Linanthus dianthiflorus) and blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum) complete this amazing color palette.

Moving up the coast to Santa Barbara, the popular Meadow Section of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden currently offers a remarkable vista of the Santa Ynez Mountains, with a foreground dominated by California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), meadow foam (Limnanthes douglasii var. sulfurea), and Cedros Island verbena (Verbena lilacina), which are all approaching full bloom. Flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum), several growth forms of purple sage (Salvia leucophylla), bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida), and island tree poppy (Dendromecon harfordii) will soon be in peak flower along the margins of the meadow. The Garden’s Desert Section currently features a diversity of color, contributed by desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata), scarlet bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius), beavertail (Opuntia basilaris), many-flowered leptosiphon (Leptosiphon floribundus), and several color forms of apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua). Those visitors venturing into the Canyon Section will find the slopes ablaze with canyon sunflower (Venegasia carpesioides).

Figueroa Mountain in the Los Padres National Forest is the hot spot this week! Here, it is proving to be an extraordinary year for poppies (Eschscholzia californica), with hillsides so orange it can be seen from miles away. At the lower elevations, you will find purple fiesta flowers (Pholistoma auritum), buttercup (Ranunculus californicus), hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), lupine (Lupinus spp.), miner’s lettuce (Claytonia spp.), wild onions (Allium spp.), Johnny jump- ups (Viola pedunculata), Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla) and owl’s clover (Castilleja exerta) in the dappled shade of oaks. Red Indian paintbrush (Castilleja sp.) prefers rocky slopes and chia (Salvia columbariae) dominates the sunnier locations. The vista point offers a view of slopes covered with yellow coreopsis (Coreopsis sp.), and orange poppies (Eschscholzia californica). Just beyond the Ranger Station, there is an impressive display of orange wall flowers (Erysimum capitatum), and continuing along the road, cream cups (Platystemon californicus) and prickly phlox (Leptodactylon californicum), are bright beacons among the green grasses. Along the corridor between the Figueroa Campground and the Davy Brown trailhead, you will be see wonderful displays of shooting stars (Dodecatheon sp.), buttercups (Ranunculus californicus), lupine (Lupinus sp.) and a field full of yummy chocolate lilies (Fritillaria biflora). The Carrizo Plain National Monument is still getting mixed reviews. There may be an expectation by some flower watchers of a bloom similar to the 2010 extravaganza. It may still come with a spell of good weather, but until then look for goldfields (Lasthenia sp.) showing from California Valley south to the Goodwin Education Center where goldfields combine with hillside daisies (Monolopia lanceolata) for showy carpets south of the Center. Hillside daisies and tidy tips (Layia glabrata) are seen in the Temblor Mountains and on both sides of Soda Lake Rd. to the southern end of the monument. Owl’s clover (Castilleja sp.) is showing in small patches throughout the plains, usually mixed with goldfields. Bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons) and California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) are showy along Selby Camp Road. Many of the roads at Carrizo are still drying out, so check ahead if you are heading out there.

Up at Pinnacles National Monument there are colorful family reunions happening. The pea family has invited silver bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons var. albifrons), bajada lupine, (Lupinus concinnus), arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus) to the show up and bloom. Joining them, the buttercup family have members like the pipestems (Clematis lasiantha), Carrizo Plain, photo by Don Vogt California buttercup (Ranunculus californica) and larkspur (Delphinium patens ssp. patens) adding color to the occasion. The poppy family brings bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida), tufted poppy (Eschscholzia caespitosa), and the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) to the party. Not to be out done, the figwort family adds colorful confetti to the celebration with Indian paintbrush (Castilleja spp.), purple owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta), sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), Indian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora) and the spinster’s blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia sparsiflora var. collina). Finally the lily family has the showiest of stars, Fremont’s star lily (Zigadenus fremontii), blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum) and checker lily (Fritillaria affinis var. affinis).

Across the Great Valley, Yosemite National Park is sporting a colorful spring bouquet of flowers along the Merced River Canyon. Travel from Mariposa to El Portal along Highway 140 and admire the large patches of goldfields (Lasthenia californica) that give color to the canyon’s hillsides. Watch, too, for Applegate’s paintbrush (Castilleja applegatei), which is just beginning to show its orangey-red hues but should prove to be one of the most abundant flowers at Yosemite’s lower elevations. Yosemite botanists enthusiastically indicate that the Mariposa manzanita (Arctostaphylos viscid ssp. mariposa), a subspecies of the whiteleaf manzanita, is having one of its best blooms due to the surge of spring’s moisture. Typically a February bloomer, the manzanita’s petite bell-shaped pink flowers show in abundance against dark red bark. Bears are sure to have plenty of Manzanita berries to eat in this fall! Spring is an excellent time to plan a hike along the Hite Cove trail, located on the Sierra National Forest 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), and the pastel baby blue- eyes (Nemophila menziesii).

If you are visiting Sierra Nevada parks but not able to make the trek all the way to Yosemite, check out the bloom further south along Hwy 198 at Three Rivers. This highway leads into the Sierra around Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. The foothills are decked out in vivid spring pink of western redbud (Cercis occidentalis) and bright blue bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons). The flowering trees and shrubs are being accompanied by the warmer weather bloom of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum) and harvest brodiaea (Brodiaea elegans). Very pretty show and a pleasant drive.

Closer to urban LA, in Placerita Canyon Natural Area, the chaparral hillsides are covered with blue flowered hairy ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus), black sage (Salvia mellifera) and yerba santa (Eriodictyon sp.). These shrubs serve as Woodland star (Lithophragma a fragrant backdrop for the smaller heterophyllum) at Placerita Canyon, photo by Ron Kraus flowering gems, golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum), woodland star (Lithophragma heterophyllum), Western wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), larkspur (Delphinium sp.) and paintbrush (Castilleja sp.)

In Burbank’s Verdugo Mountain Range, park at the Stough Canyon Nature Center and take a hike along Stough Fire Road for colorful displays of yellow pincushion (Chaenactis glabruiscula), western wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus), and bright yellow bush sunflower (Encelia californica). Sugarbush (Rhus ovata) and Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia) and black sage (Salvia mellifera) are heavy with flowers and with wild cucumber (Marah macrocarpa) clambering over them showing off their prickly fruits.

If you can’t escape the LA Basin, there is good wildflower viewing in the Santa Monica Mountains. Walk the Grotto Trail at Circle X Ranch and watch for monkey flower (Mimulus aurantiacus) and chia (Salvia columbariae), gorgeous and fragrant sprays of blue ceanothus flowers (Ceanothus spinosus), purple nightshade (Solanum xanti), perky Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), blue larkspur (Delphinium sp.), golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum), star lily (Zigadenus fremontii), Parry’s phacelia (Phacelia parryi), and the cheery yellow faces of both bush (Encelia californica) and canyon sunflowers (Venegasia capesioides). There are about fifty species in bloom along the trail. The flowers are not in great abundance, so a hike quickly becomes a wildflower scavenger hunt.

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, April 15 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:

Theodore Payne Foundation 8th Annual Native Plant Garden Tour, Saturday and Sunday, April 9 & 10 from 10 am – 4pm. For tickets (Cost $20 for two days) and more information on the over 30 gardens included on this self-guided tour, visit our webpage.

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.

Charmlee Wilderness Park  Wildflower Hike on Sunday, April 10 at 10:00am. Learn to recognize native plants. Meet at upper parking lot. Reservations required: 310-317- 1364. $4 parking fee. Duration: 2hrs.

Topanga State Park  Springtime Splendor Stroll on Sundays, April 10 and April 17 starting at 1:00pm. Join a docent naturalist in viewing emerging wildflowers and other signs of spring. Duration: 2hrs. For more information call the Topanga Canyon Docents at 310-455-1696.

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.

Wildflower Walk at Descanso Gardens Sunday, April 17, 1 p.m. Take in the fabulous spring blooms in the California Garden in this guided walk led by Rachel Young, native plant horticulturist. Meet at Center Circle. Free with Gardens admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors/students, $3 children 5-12, free for children 4 and younger.

RIDGECREST Celebrates Desert Wildflowers With Festival April 15-17. In the city of Ridgecrest between the Sierra Nevada and Death Valley just off US 395, the Maturango Museum embraces the season with its Annual Wildflower Show April 15-17. This year for the first time the California State Assembly and Senate have declared April 17-23 as Native Plant Week and Ridgecrest adds to the observance with the First Annual Desert Wildflower Festival over the same April 15-17 weekend. For festival schedules in advance, go to www.ridgecrestdesertwildflowerfestival.com or phone 800-VISIT-30 (800-847- 4830).

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: Sat., April 16: Caballero Canyon, Lower Trailhead. Starting at 8:30am. Chaparral Chatter Wildflower HikeBring hat, water, and snacks (boots are recommended). Duration: 3 hours. For more information, directions and to RSVP, call 818-782-9346 or 818-881-3706

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

CNPS-San Diego Chapter Field trips:  Sat., April 9 - Public Plant Hike, Switzer Canyon, 10:00am – noon For more information

 Sat., April 16 - Public Plant Hike, Buchanan Canyon 10:00am – noon. For more information

CNPS-Channel Islands Chapter Native Plant Home Garden Tour. Saturday, April 16, 2011 9 am – 5 pm. Check website for more information. www.cnpsci.org. Register at www.sbbg.org