Natural History Wanderings

Updated 1/31/11

Pete Devine is  reporting some early wildflower blooms at his  Yosemite Nature Notes Blog: Flowers of January.  He has seen Amsinckia-fiddlenecks, Stellaria -starwort, Lamia-dead nettle, Plagiobothyrs-popcorn flower, Claytonia-miner’s lettuce, Capsella-shepherd’s purse and Erodium-crane’s bill.

1/31/ update – today Pete added:

“El Portal has more and more flowers: above Rancheria Flat are found less than a handful of poppies, fiddlenecks, popcorn flower and peppergrass in bloom. Waterfall buttercups are blossoming profusely in the shady wet spots they prefer along the lower canyon. Elderberry and buckeye are starting to leaf out.”