Natural History Wanderings

SoCal Wanderer  just posted a wildflower bloom report for Southern California. Here are the highlights:

• El Rio de Los Angeles State Park. This relatively new state park, located in Cypress Park, at the confluence of the L.A. River and the Arroyo Seco, (just two miles north of downtown Los Angeles), has a restored wetlands and a loop trail, making it a premier wildflower viewing location. Species blooming now include: California Hyacinth, orange Monkey Flower, Black Sage, and the always stunning, saffron-colored California Poppy.
• Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County. Currently this national forest has over a hundred blooming wildflower species. Walking its San Juan Loop Trail you’ll see many of them including: Wide-Throated Yellow Monkey Flower, purple Larkspurs, Chia, the exotic-looking Chinese Houses (Collinsia heterophylla), and several different Lupine species.

• Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Center Located in the Santa Clarita Valley off the 14 Freeway near Agua Dulce, this canyon area has wildflowers growing among its dramatic rock formations. Species now blooming include: Black Sage, Golden Bush, Goldfields, and Monkey Flower.
• Figueroa Mountain in the Los Padres National Forest There are plenty of wildflowers throughout this national forest, specifically its Figueroa Mountain and Happy Valley areas located near Santa Barbara. Species currently in bloom include: large displays of California Poppies, as well as Chocolate Lilies, Mariposa Lilies, Baby Blue Eyes, Chia, Chinese Houses, Hummingbird Sage, Golden Yarrow, red Paintbrush and Cream Cups.
• For a more formal view of local wildflowers, visit the South Coast Botanic Garden. This botanical gem in Palos Verdes has a superb Mediterranean Garden full of California natives and wildflowers. Some of the species blooming now include: Arroyo Lupine, Bird’s Eye Gilia, Canterbury Bells, Chinese Houses, Clarkia, Conejo Buckwheat, Foothill Penstemon, Seaside Daisy, and bursts of gold-colored California Poppies.

Go to Blooming Highlights: Wildflower Walks and Planting Your Own | Outdoors | SoCal Wanderer | KCET to see their full story.