Natural History Wanderings

submitted by
Doug Wirtz

Jepson Prairie Wildflower Update Saturday, 04/16/11

“Blow wives (Achyrachaena mollis) are blooming everywhere and should be maturing soon to display those very photogenic seed heads, first Downingia of the season (D. concolor and D. pusilla), lots of the “clovers” starting to show (T. depauperatum several varieties, T.. barbigerum), Vernal pool Castilleja (C. campestris), Goldfields (Lasthenia) are replacing Yellowcarpet (Blennospera) with large drifts starting to bloom (L. glaberrima or Rayless/smooth goldfields starting to proliferate in the freshwater pools (we should see a slight resurgence of Blenosperma as Olcott diminishes, Oregon timwort or Common microcalis (Cicendia quadrangularis) blooming in many areas, Valley tassels (Castilleja attenuata), Tidy tips (Layia chrysanthemoides), Meadowfoam (Limnanthes douglasii ssp. rosea) are starting to dimish a bit but we may expect a resurgence as Olcott begins it’s annual demise. Also scattered Muilla (M. maritima), Buttercups (Ranunculus muricatus, a non-native, is blooming along the roadside, also saw and photographed Pacific Foxtail (Alopecurs saccatus) headed out and starting to bloom, Semaphore grass (Pleuopogon califonicus) blooming as well.
The bloom should really pick up with the warmer weather ahead.”