Natural History Wanderings

submitted by Helen Tarbet
Adventure Pass Field Ranger
Santa Lucia Ranger District

Los Padres National Forest

 Figueroa Mountain Wildflower Update

 First Update of the 2013 Season

Greetings and welcome to the 2013 Figueroa Mountain Wildflower Season!  The wildflowers on Figueroa Mountain are, for the most part, on schedule this year with the exception of a few. In spite of the snow, less than a week ago, the poppies and lupine on the infamous poppy hillside are not only early and in full bloom but are showing signs of having multiple peaks throughout the season. The Ceanothus is also in full bloom throughout the mountain. Let’s get started on our tour, shall we?

Starting at the first cattle guard, buttercups, milk maids, lomatium, shooting stars, popcorn flower and an occasional lupine are in bloom.  As one makes the turn along the second bend, on the left, lomatium, blue dicks, popcorn flower, shooting stars, lupine, Johnny jump-ups and fillaree can be found. Twenty yards further, on the right, one will find more shooting stars and lomatium. Another 25 yards down the road will bring you to a slope on the left where sky lupine is beginning to fill the small hillside. As one continues under the tree canopy, look for buttercups, milk maids, Johnny jump-ups, shooting stars and popcorn flowers as they start to make their lovey appearances in this shady area.

As you continue up the hill, California poppies are just beginning to bloom in the lower elevation, unlike their buddies who have been busy blooming up above. If you look up on Grass Mountain, you will see large patches of purple lupine filling portions of the mountain.

Other wildflowers to look for as you continue your uphill climb include buttercups, Ceanothus, goldfields, coreopsis, shooting stars, miniature lupine, California poppies, blue dicks and fillaree.

At Vista Point (large gravel turnout about 11.4 miles from the bottom), beautiful chocolate lilies are in bloom. Shooting stars, goldfields, fillaree, lomatium, blue dicks, California poppies, blue and buttercups are slowly beginning to blossom. In the serpentine area across the road, you’ll see California poppies and shooting stars.

Beyond the station, shooting stars can be seen.

About a half mile beyond the fire station, as promised earlier, on the infamous poppy hillside, the stunning display of lupine and poppies are in full bloom. Not only are the blooms outstanding, but the aroma produced by the lupine is breathtaking! Again, while these beauties are quite early for the amount of flowers they are displaying, based on new plant growth and new appearances of buds, it may be a multi-peak year. The hillsides above and below this gorgeous display have yet to bloom, so stay tuned, much more is yet to come.

From Ranger Peak to Cachuma Saddle, very little is in bloom. You will, however, find California poppies and lovely purple nightshade along this stretch.

Sunset Valley has yet to show any signs of wildflowers, but don’t be discouraged, this area will show off  its beautiful colors later in the season.

Happy Canyon is coming along slowly, but surely as well. As you head down Happy Canyon, look at the hills for the stunning cream colors of the Ceanothus. Also,  look for California poppies, buttercups and blue dicks. Just beyond the campground, on the rock formations to the right, vibrant, red Indian paintbrush is adorning the rocky hillside. About two miles further, yellow coreopsis and California poppies are starting to make themselves visible. Continuing down the hill, shooting stars and milk maids can be seen along with some lupine.

That’s all for this update. Look for our next wildflower update in two weeks. Until then, happy viewing!  For more information, please contact Helen Tarbet at 805-925-9538, ext. 246, or by e-mail at htarbet@fs.fed.us.

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