Wildflower Guide
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Sierra Larkspur Willow Delphinium glaucum Salix spp. Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family Salicaceae (Willow) family July–September March–June A distinctive characteristic of larkspurs There are several types of willow in is the tail, or spur, at the back of the the Tahoe Donner area, with blooming blossom. Most larkspurs are fairly seasons that extend from March at intense blue-to-purple in color. Sierra least through June. The picture shows larkspur, also called mountain larkspur typical early-spring catkins (buds) that or tower larkspur, has an especially tall inflorescence (the part of the are getting ready to bloom, and gives the smaller types of willow the plant where the flowers are located), with many blossoms. familiar name pussy willow. Sierra Morning Glory Woolly Mule Ears Calystegia malacophylla Wyethia mollis Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory) family Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family July–August June–July There are over 1,000 species of morning The most common species of mule ears glory world-wide. Many bloom in the around Tahoe Donner, woolly mule ears early morning hours, giving the family are easily identified by touching the its name. Tahoe Donner is near the leaves: they do feel woolly! upper elevation of the range for Sierra morning glory. Snow Plant Woolly Mullein Sarcodes sanguinea Verbascum thapsus Ericaceae (Heath) family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family May–June June–September Appears almost as soon as snow melts. Also called common mullein, this dis- Saprophytic plant: obtains nutrients tinctive plant is a non-native considered from decaying organic matter in the soil by some to be invasive. With its tall (no photosynthesis). flower stalk it can grow up to 6-feet tall. Varileaf Phacelia Phacelia heterophylla Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf) family April–July Many phacelias grow in the character- istic shape shown here, with the flowers on a coiled cyme and with double, symmetrical cymes. Flowers can be white/cream to light purple for different species. Western Buttercup Ranunculus occidentalis Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family April–June WILDFLOWER This early bloomer announces the Photos and plant descriptions courtesy of Susan Kelso. arrival of spring. It prefers to grow in wet meadows and along streams. More descriptions and photos can be found online at GUIDE www.tahoedonner.com/trails/wildflower-guide (530) 587-9400 | tahoedonner.com SUMMER 2017 Anderson’s Thistle Coulter’s Daisy Paintbrush Cirsium andersonii Erigeron coulteri Castilleja sp. Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family July–August July–September June–August Although there are several species of Coulter’s daisy is a native daisy, with Of the several species of paintbrush thistles in the Tahoe Donner area, An- numerous white ray flowers. A similar found in the Tahoe Donner area, the derson’s thistles are noted for attracting flower with fewer ray flowers is oxeye most common is Applegate’s paint- hummingbirds. daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), a brush. Paintbrush come in a variety non-native common in Tahoe Donner of colors and have differing shapes landscaping. The name vulgare means common. (number of lobes) of the bracts, the colorful part of the plant people usually notice. Aster Lupine Pennyroyal Symphyotrichum sp. Lupinus sp. Monardella odoratissima Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family Fabaceae (Pea) family Lamiaceae (Mint) family July–August June–August June–August In some cases several wildflowers Lupines are recognizable by their leaves, A minty odor, square stem, and op- look very similar and are difficult to which have so-called palmate shapes, posite leaves are characteristic of the distinguish. This is actually one example, resembling an open hand with 5 or mint family. Flowers can be pale purple, since some asters and daisies look more fingers spread out. The flowers white, or lavender. similar from the top/front side, with are on stalks and bloom from the base differences on the bottom/back side. Fairly common in Tahoe Donner, toward the tip of the stalk. Most lupines are blue-purple, but some this is most likely Eaton’s aster (S. bracteolatum). are white and some are yellow. California Rayless Daisy Mahala Mat Penstemon Erigeron inornatus Ceanothus prostratus Penstemon sp. Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) family Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) family July–September May June–August Flowers in the aster family are compos- Common in Tahoe Donner, growing in This is one of the several species of ites, consisting of ray flowers and disc large patches or masses. Leaves stay blue-to-purple penstemons found in the flowers. The California rayless daisy green all summer after the (relatively area around Tahoe Donner. has only disc flowers, hence the name brief) blooming season. Also called rayless. squaw carpet. Whenever prostratus is the species name, look for a low-growing plant! Checkerbloom Manzanita Rabbitbrush Sidalcea glaucescens Arctostaphylos sp. Ericameria sp. Malvaceae (Mallow) family Ericaceae (Heath) family Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family June–August May–June August–October Several species of checkerbloom, or The most common shrub-like manzanita This shrub is common throughout the checkermallow, are found in the area in the Tahoe region is Greenleaf man- Tahoe Donner area. The tips of the around Tahoe Donner. zanita (Arctostaphylos patula). There is branches look yellow throughout the also a lower, mat-like manzanita called blooming season. pine-mat manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis). Common Yarrow Monkshood Ranger’s Buttons Achillea millefolium Aconitum columbianum Sphenosciadium capitellatum Asteraceae (Sunflower or Aster) family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family Apiaceae (Carrot) family June–August June–August July–August The name millefolium means “thousand The distinctive upper part of the Often found in wet or swampy places. leaves,” a great description of the finely monkshood flower looks like a monk’s Though there are many other members divided, feathery leaves. Yarrow is found cowl. The reproductive parts are green- of the carrot family, ranger’s button is widely across the Americas, Eurasia, ish-yellowish. Flowers are pollinated by the only species in the Sphenosciadium and Australia. A yellow form is found in a specific bumblebee species with the genus. Tahoe Donner landscaping. correct size, weight, and anatomy. All parts of the plant are toxic..