Natural History Wanderings

submitted by:  Kathy Sanders, Interpretive Assistant Hungry Valley SVRA

Wheatfield Trail 5-13-10

The north grasslands have small patches of Pygmy-leafed Lupine (Lupinus bicolor) and some California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) at the start of Stipa Trail. There are still varieties of wildflowers, but not a huge quantity of blooms at Stipa Trail and Powerline Road of Bush Lupine (Lupinus excubitus), Linear-leaf Goldenbush (Ericameria cooperi), Globe Gilia (Gilia capitata), Chia (Salvia columbariae), Fiddleneck (Amsinckia tessellate), Jewel Flowers (Caulanthus cooperi), Fremont Pincushions (Chaenactis fremontii), Desert Tidy Tips (Layia glandulosa), Rock Phacelia (Phacelia imbricate), and a few Chinese Houses (Collinsia bartsiaefolia var. davidsonii), Desert Dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), and California Primrose (Oenothera californica).

Peace Valley Rd. 5-13-10

California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) along with a few Bush Lupine ( Lupinus excubitus), Linear-leaf Goldenbush (Ericameria cooperi) and Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus) are still blooming along Wheatfield Trail in the lower grassland area. There is a large display of California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) and Bush Lupine (Lupinus excubitus) along Peace Valley Road between Sewer Line Road and Quail Lake Road; however this area is behind barbed wire fencing and inaccessible by foot.

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