Natural History Wanderings

Submitted by Kathy Sander,  Interpretive Assistant Hungry Valley SVRA

Grass Lands 5-19-10

The north grasslands have nice patches of California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) along 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), Fremont Pincushions (Chaenactis fremontii), Desert Tidy Tips (Layia glandulosa), Rock Phacelia (Phacelia imbricate), a few Chinese Houses (Collinsia bartsiaefolia var. davidsonii), and Desert Dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata).

California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) along with a few Bush Lupine ( Lupinus excubitus), and Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus) are still blooming along Wheatfield Trail in the lower grassland area. There is a good 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.

Ranger and staff led weekend wildflower tours, which are available Saturdays and Sundays only at 11 am, will end this weekend.