Natural History Wanderings

Theodore Payne has a new wildflower report for southern and central California. Below are some highlights. To see the full report with pictures and older reports go to Wildflower Hotline

• Pinnacles National Monument for a wonderful display of colorful wildflowers. The yellows, oranges and golds of fiddelnecks, (Amsinckia menziesii), goldfields (Lasthenia californica), wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida), California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus) and Johnny-jump-up (Viola pedunculata) light up the landscape. Blues and purples of chia (Salvia columbariae), silver bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons), baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii), blue fiesta flower (Pholistoma auritum), and blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitata) interrupt the yellow palette occasionally. Fremont’s star lily (Toxicoscordion fremontii), two shooting star species (Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. patulum and Dodecatheon herndersonii) are outstanding specialties that you must see here!
• In Death Valley National Park flowers are starting to appear in the south end of the park in the area between Jubilee Pass and Salsberry pass. Already there are signs of life with Arizona lupine (Lupinus arizonicus), small flowered poppy (Eschscholzia minutiflora), desert sunflower (Geraea canescens), Panamint forget-me-not (Cryptantha angustifolia), evening primroses (Chylisma claviformis and Chylismia brevipes) in bloom, along with perennials such as bur sage (Ambrosia dumosa) and creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). Park off the pavement and take a hike to enjoy all the little beauties.

• In Santa Barbara County, several local species of California lilac (Ceanothus spp.) and manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) are at their peak bloom on the Burton Mesa Preserve north of Lompoc and accessible on foot from the baseball field parking lot at the end of Albireo Avenue behind Cabrillo High School. Deep blue flowered Santa Barbara Ceanothus (Ceanothus impressus) and lavender flowered Lompoc Ceanothus (Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis) are scattered throughout the chaparral, as are La Purisima manzanita (Arctostaphylos purissima) and shagbark manzanita (Arctostaphylos rudis)
• Peak displays of California lilac (Ceanothus), tree poppy (Dendromecon harfordii and D. rigida.), flannelbush (Fremontodendron species and cultivars), and several different species of native sages (Salvia spp.) currently dominate the landscape of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. The Desert Section near the Garden entrance currently features fairy dusters (Calliandra eriophylla), desert marigolds (Baileya sp.), and Shaw’s agave (Agave shawii). The iconic Meadow Section is beginning to show patches of meadow foam (Limnanthes spp.), verbena (Verbena lilacina), pitcher sage (Salvia spathacea), canyon gooseberry (Ribes menziesii), and the first patches of bright orange California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), all collectively framed by a backdrop of La Cumbre Peak and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Most of these species, in addition to patches of blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) can be found along the Garden’s Porter Trail, which also offers, on a clear day, a splendid view of the northern Channel Islands. Along the edge of the Meadow Section, one can find the rare bird bush (Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia) in full bloom, with an understory of brilliant pink alumroot (Heuchera) cultivars.

• Descanso Gardens in La Cañada-Flintridge, the native wildflowers growing in the California Garden are proudly wearing their State colors of blue and gold. The bright baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii), tidy tips, (Layia platyglossa), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus) are spread around the showy flowering perennials, golden currant (Ribes aureum), apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), and monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus). Lilac verbena (Verbena lilacina) and sages (Salvia spp.) add lavender hues to the landscape.

• Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardenin Claremont and immerse yourselves in a full spring experience. Near the entrance California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), and desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) stand out among the still showy but fading blues of the many different ceanothus (Ceanothus spp.) and red-pink Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis).Tall spikes of creamy white flowers on the yucca (Yucca whipplei) and beargrass (Nolina parryi) rise above this colorful scenery. There are native trees and shrubs displayed here that you would have to drive many miles to see in the wild. The golden flannel bush, (Fremontodendron californicum), Island bush poppy (Dendromecon harfordii) and white bush anemone (Carpenteria californica) are the showiest among them. Enjoy the grand impressionistic displays of coral bells (Heuchera spp. and cultivars), and blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) gathered under the shade of oaks.
• The desert habitat garden at Elizabeth Learning Center in Cudahy is at peak bloom NOW! The riotous color explosion includes goldfields (Lasthenia sp.), owls clover (Castilleja sp.), chia (Salvia columbariae), thistle sage (Salvia carduacea), Canterbury bells (Phacelia campanularia), Mojave lupine (Lupinus ordoratus), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), desert gold poppy (Eschscholzia parishii), apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), desert chicory (Rafinesquia neomexicana), desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), and desert pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii). The central habitat garden has many wildflowers, but the perennial paintbrushes (Catilleja spp.), and bush poppies (Dendromecon harfordii) stand out even more. The garden in front of the family clinic has all the wildflowers listed above as well as showy woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum) and prickly poppy (Argemone sp.). 
• Torrey Pines State Natural Preserve for a hike and picnic. There, warty-stem ceanothus (Ceanothus verrucosus) and coast brittlebush (Encelia californica) will avert your attention from the spectacular ocean views. Also along the trails you can find pink sand verbena (Abronia spp.), pure white milk maids (Cardamine californica), yellow sea dahlia (Leptosyne [Coreopsis] maritima) and pretty, bright paintbrushes (Castilleja spp.). You need not travel out to the Mojave desert to see flowering Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera). Enjoy it among the Torrey Pines! This is a lovely park in our treasure chest of State Parks and Beaches.

• The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve has some additional spring flowers starting this week and the hiking weather is perfect. Growing among ground pinks (Linanthus dianthiflorus) and California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are yellow carpet (Blennosperm nanum), very robust red maids (Calandrinia ciliata), and goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis). In the grassy meadows and slopes, you should be able to spot blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), checkerbloom (Sidalcea malviflora) and blue dicks, (Dichelostemma capitatum). The show-stopping chocolate lilies (Fritillaria biflora) are also scattered around. Among the chaparral shrubs you will find bush monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), and the very pretty Eastwood Manzanita (Arcostaphylos glandulosa ssp. zacaensis), and purple sanicle (Sanuicula bipinnatifida). Look in shaded areas along the trails for milk maids (Cardamine californica), Western buttercups (Ranunculus occidentalis), violets (Viola douglassii) and miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata ssp. mexicana). The bush lupines (Lupinus excubitus var. hallii) are spectacular and the pink-red San Diego pea (Lathryus vestitus) is twining over shubs here and there. The SRP has many fragile soils, lichens and plants. Please stay on the trails to take pictures of flowers.

• In the Cleveland National Forest the grasslands and adjacent areas near Elsinore Peak in the Southern Santa Ana Mountains are showing very good color this week and are highly recommended. There are abundant annuals. Some of the early annuals include fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesi), red maids, (Calandrinia ciliata), evening primrose (Camissoniopsis sp.), chaparral gilia (Gilia angelensis), goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis), ground pink (Linanthus dianthiflorus), deervetch (Acmispon maritimus), miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor), baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii var. menziesii), and Johnny- jump-up (Viola pedunculata ssp. pedunculata). With some careful hunting the very rare little Hammitt’s claycress (Sibaropsis hammittii) can also be located. Chocolate lilies (Fritillaria biflora) are especially well represented this year and are in perfect bloom now. Flowering perennials include lots of wild onion(Allium haematochiton), blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), wild celery (Lomatium dasycarpum ssp. dasycarpum), California peony (Paeonia californica), buttercups (Ranunculus californicus), purple sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida) and blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum).