Natural History Wanderings

The Acorn reports

Less than average rainfall and late-season rainstorms might mean this year’s wildflowers will be showing their colorful wares later than normal, ecologists at Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area say.

Normally at this point in the season the wildflowers would be in full bloom, but so far park rangers report only seeing a few prickly phlox, currants, Indian paintbrush, bush lupine and California brittlebush. Still, hope is not lost.

“The recent rains that we’ve had are encouraging,” said Joey Algiers, a National Park Service restoration ecologist. “What was looking like a bad year for wildflowers could turn around, potentially peaking in mid to late April.”

Read full article at Local wildflowers proving to be late bloomers