California Wildflowers

When one first ventures to look for splendid wildflowers, a cement storm drain is not usually the first destination. That man made habitat along with wet ditches and seepage areas are exactly where the Common Monkeyflower is likely to be found. The flowers of this species superficially look like snapdragons which are in the same family. When the habitat of this monkeyflower dries out, the plants become a mass of brown hollow stems. With the onset of the rainy season, new growth is generated by seed or from underground stems or rhizomes. less ↑

This Indian Paintbrush is able to grow in serpentine soil. Serpentine soils are high in magnesium, low in calcium, and laden with metals like chromium and nickel which are needed by plants in trace amounts. Some plant species are narrowly restricted to one or a few neighboring outcrops of serpentine. In California alone, some 215 plant taxa are restricted wholly or in large part to serpentine soils. Most plant species are ill-equipped to survive the stressful chemical make-up of serpentine habitats. Thus this Paintbrush and other serpentine adapted plants have free reign there. less ↑

Most of the 18 species of Collinsia occur in California. This species, like its close relative commonly known as Chinese Houses, C. grandiflora is showy with 1–4 flowers per node. The flowers are pea-like with five petals that are fused into a pouch-like tube on the upper side. The fused lower petals are deep purple with a patch of white toward the throat. The two upper petals are pale in color with purple flecking that may serve as a nectar guide for insects. less ↑

Keckiella cordifolia has heart-shaped leaves. This is reflected in the species name, cordifolia, or heart leaf. The name Keckiella honors David D. Keck (1903- ). He and Philip A. Munz authored a major treatise entitled A California Flora in 1959. This species can grow to a height of three meters. Its open drooping habit often gives it an ungainly appearance. The deep red flowers are borne in compact terminal clusters. The stalk or pedicel of each flower can sometimes be twisted on the long arching branches in a way that makes for an upside-down orientation. This inversion created by twisting of the pedicel is called resupinate. less ↑

Little Elephant's Head has a corolla divided into two parts. The upper portion forms a beak-like process—the elephant's trunk. The lower portion has spreading lobes forming the drooping ears. The analogy is further strengthened by dark markings which simulate eyes. The flower accidentally looks like one kind of animal. Most species of Pedicularis (Louseworts), however, are named after another — the louse (pediculus). It was once erroneously thought that ingestion of these plants by cattle made them susceptible to infestation by lice. less ↑

The description "hairy, slimy, and smelling of musk" sounds more like that of a Halloween monster than that of a wildflower. However, this description certainly fits the Musk Monkeyflower. Plants of this species have stems with gland-tipped hairs that secrete a musky smelling slime. The benefits of hair, slime, and musk should not be underestimated. Although native to western North America from British Columbia to California and the Rocky Mountains, the Monkeyflower has become naturalized in the northeastern United States, Chile, and Europe. less ↑

Newberry's Beardtongue is commonly found on rocky ledges and gravelly slopes in the mountains of northern and central California, Oregon, and Nevada. It produces woody stems that creep along the ground to form a low mat. In rocky habitats, intense sunlight creates a warmer environment on the ground than exists within a few inches overhead. Hence a mat-forming plant takes advantage of this microclimate and also avoids the effects of gusty winds. During mid-summer ascending branches are covered with small dense clusters of rose-red somewhat woolly flowers. The narrow corolla, which is adapted for hummingbird pollination, is just over an inch long and only slightly dilated at the throat. less ↑

The median strip of many California freeways is commonly planted with Oleander, a poisonous exotic native to the Mediterranean basin. Fremontia also deserves consideration as a potential freeway plant. It is tolerant of smog and drought resistant but does best in well-watered but well-drained situations. This species produces showy displays of lemon-yellow saucer-like flowers followed by bristly brown capsules. The largely tropical family to which Fremontia belongs includes such economically important plants as Cola (a source of caffeine) and Theobroma (cocoa). less ↑

Pine Hill Flannel Bush is rare in the wild. It is now propagated by nurseries for the garden trade. Only a few hundred of the thousands of species native to California are available to the home gardener. The species that are chosen for the retail trade tend to have the most spectacular flowers but scores of other drought tolerant species have equally attractive foliage. The flowers of Flannel Bush have no true petals. The sunset coloration of the petal-like sepals are even more resplendent than the lemon-yellow flowers of its better known relative, Fremontia. less ↑

The name Snowdrop refers to the snow white nut-like fruit and not to the color of the flower. Both the fruit and the brilliant white flowers stand out in their shadowy woodland habitat. Therefore, this uncommon plant is relatively easy to spot. Each pendant flower has twice as many stamens as petals and the staminal filaments form a tube around the the pistil. Resins derived from species related to Snowdrop are used as an antiseptic (resin storax) and in incense. less ↑

The coarsely toothed leaves of Common Vervain are best developed at the base of the plant and become reduced in sized upward along the stem. Each flower in the spike-like inflorescence has fused petals forming a tube that expands into five flared lobes. The stems are square or four-angled as they are in the closely related mint family. The latter family differs consistently from the vervains in producing essential oils (hence the fragrance) and in having a deeply four-lobed ovary. less ↑

The Mountain Violet produces two kinds of flowers. In early spring, the open flowers are colorful and eye-catching as is pictured here. In normally expanded flowers pollen is transported from one flower to another by flying insects and seeds are formed as a result of cross pollination. Late in the flowering season Mountain Violet produces cleistogamous flowers that remain closed. These closed flowers, which are often hidden among the foliage, are self-pollinated and set abundant viable seeds. Regardless of the mechanism of seed production, the fleshy seed appendages of violets are attractive to ants that in turn disperse and plant the seeds. less ↑

Like all species of Viola, the five petals of this species are of unequal size with the lowermost pair forming a prominent spur. Nectar is secreted into the spur from the bases of the two lowermost stamens. Pollinators are guided into this spur by lined markings on the petals. The pollinated flower of Western Dog Violet matures into a small capsule containing the seeds. The valves or units of the capsule wall shrink when dry, forcibly ejecting the seeds. Thus, violets have a built-in mechanism that insures seed dispersal. less ↑

This delicate vine with intensely purple flowers climbs exuberantly over grassy slopes. It puts on a solo performance as it often flowers after the showy displays of our spring wildflowers. The vetch flower is typical of the papilionoid subfamily of legumes. The two lower petals in each flower are fused into a keel. The two lateral petals are called wings. The broad uppermost petal is called the banner. The stamens and pistil are obscured by the folded keel. When a heavy bee seeking nectar lands on the flower, the keel bends downward and pollen is brushed onto the bee's abdomen. As the bee manipulates another flower in the same manner it deposits its pollen load on a receptive stigma. less ↑

One commonly finds Dudleya growing in the cracks of huge boulders. The seeds find their way into rock crevices and germinate in minute amounts of soil. In a low-moisture environment the succulent leaves of Dudleya serve the important function of water storage. One can distinguish Dudleya from the related Stonecrops by the position of the flowering stem on the plant. In Dudleya the flowering stem is always initiated from a lateral position among the basal rosette of leaves. In the Stonecrops flowering stems are always borne in a terminal position on any one branch. less ↑

The generic name Apocynum, is derived from the Greek "apo" meaning away from, and "kuon" meaning dog, alluding to its ancient use as a dog poison. Ingestion of any part of this plant can cause poisoning and sometimes death to cattle, sheep, and horses. Because the milky sap is bitter, the plants are usually avoided. The bell-shaped flowers have five petals which are united at the base with lobes that separate and curl outward at the tips. A related species, Apocynum cannabinum (Indian Hemp) was an important source of strong fiber for making ropes and baskets. less ↑

Milkweeds and butterflies often form mutually beneficial relationships. What is advantageous and protective to the Monarch butterfly, for example, can be deadly to other small insects. Caterpillars feed on certain poisonous milkweeds which make them harmful to birds. Milkweeds have their pollen clustered in masses called pollinia but only the stronger, larger individuals can manipulate a flower to extract the pollen without getting tangled and trapped in the complex floral architecture. less ↑

Many handsome Gentian species occur in high mountain areas. Much research has been done on animal adaptations to the harsh conditions of high elevation habitats but less is known about the many species of plants that live at these heights. Most members of this genus are adapted to the contrasting conditions of very cold winters and long summer days. The delicate petals with feathery appendages superficially look ill-suited for the harsh seasonal climate. They thrive, however, in vast mountain meadows that John Muir called "gentian meadows". less ↑

The glorious flower color of the hedgehog cactus rivals that of the desert sunset. Cacti can survive in arid regions because they have a combination of adaptive features — lack of leaves, succulent stems, spines in areoles, and shallow spreading root systems. The cactus spine which functions to discourage browsing, is developed from a leaf or a part of one. The areole in which the spines sit is a modified side shoot borne above the normal position of a leaf. less ↑

The typically showy structure in higher plants that we call a flower functions to attract potential pollinators through the presentation of food or other rewards and the production of viable seeds for a successive generation. Flowers are pollinated by diverse agents such as insects, birds, bats, non-flying mammals, wind, and water. Ants visit flowers to feed on pollen and nectar. They are not good pollinators, however, because they move slowly from plant to plant, tend to visit few flowers, and are not equipped to carry pollen for long distances. The Western Campion has sticky glandular hairs on its stems that appear to discourage non-flying insects from crawling to the flowers to thieve pollen or nectar. less ↑

Here is the classic botanical description: "Leaves silvery canescent, inflorescence campanulate, phyllary tips shorter than body, ray flower ligules yellow". When the foliage is gently brushed, these annuals give off a distinctive tar-like odor. The yellow flowers appear in early to late summer, often long after the last rains. There is a presumed relationship between the resin and the plant's drought resistance. The specifics of this relationship are unknown and could be an avenue of research for the enterprising graduate student. less ↑

The genus Clarkia was named for Captain William Clark (1770-1838) of the Lewis and Clark Expedition which was sent by Thomas Jefferson to find the Northwest Passage. Among the extensive botanical collections made on this expedition were species of Clarkia. Farewell-to-Spring is probably the showiest and most common species of Clarkia to be found in the rolling coastal slopes of the San Francisco Bay Area during late spring and early summer. Its large bowl-shaped flowers are readily recognized in profile view because of the erect or ascending rosy-pink to lavender petals that are bright red or purplish at the base. less ↑

There has been a long history of coevolution between flowering plants and their pollinating agents. Each group of flower visiting animals is associated with a special group of floral features that are in turn related to the visual and olfactory senses of the animals they attract. The large-flowered species of Trichostema are pollinated by bees or hummingbirds. The small-flowered species like T. oblongum, however, produce little or no nectar and attract relatively few flower visitors. The anthers of this Bluecurl are adjacent to the stigma and self-pollination results from the stigma brushing against freshly dehisced anthers. less ↑

From a simple erect stem arises a cluster of leaves and fascicles of bright yellow flowers. Each leathery leaf consists of the rachis, or central axis, with prickly leaflets on either side. When you encounter one along shaded slopes in conifer forests check the flowers with a hand lens. You will see six sepals, six petals, and six stamens that dehisce by two uplifting flaps, all of which surround the single chambered ovary that matures into a blue berry with a gray bloom. less ↑

Romneya coulteri holds the record for having the largest flowers of any plant native to California. Each flower spreads out like an egg cracked into a frying pan. The six crinkled white petals surround the sunny-side-up yellow center of multiple stamens. The extraordinary flower and imposing habit of this poppy have made it a prized garden ornamental in California and other parts of the world. Once established, its creeping underground rhizomes give rise to a vigorous colony that can spread well beyond the parent plant. less ↑

The richly colored pink petals of checkerbloom are made even more luminous by the white petal venation. This widespread species consists of a puzzling complex of intergrading morphological variants throughout its range. Leaf shape can also vary considerably on a single plant. The fruits developing from a single flower consist of many leathery disk- or wedged-shaped segments packed together in a circle like orange segments. less ↑

This large deciduous shrub is noted for its aromatic fragrance. Some people describe the fragrance as sweet and pleasant while others find it disagreeable. Descriptions of the odor range from "similar to the inside of a wine barrel" to "pleasantly bitter". The conspicuous flower parts consist of similarly colored sepals and petals arranged in several overlapping series with a gradual transition from sepals to petals. The outermost in the series are distinctly scale-like, the remainder showy and petal-like. The fruits are one-seeded achenes enclosed in an enlarged leathery receptacle. less ↑

If a ground cover is literally supposed to cover the ground, then Tinker's Penny is a prime example. The stems which lie flat on the ground and frequently form a prostrate mat are called stolons. Leaves arise from a stolon at each node. Because roots can also be produced at each node, severing a stolon at any point along its length potentially produces a genetic clone of the parent plant. The tip of each upturned branchlet is a potential site for the appearance of the small golden yellow to salmon-colored flowers. less ↑

The expanded flowers of wild ginger are said to look like some hobgoblin spider lurking for its prey. The flowers, which are borne close to the ground, lack petals altogether. The three spreading petal-like lobes are, in fact, calyx lobes. After pollination, which is probably accomplished by flies, the fruit develops into a fleshy capsule that produces numerous seeds with fleshy edible appendages attractive to ants, that in turn disperse the seeds. less ↑

Meadowfoam is one of many annual species that grows in seasonally wet depressions called vernal pools. As these pools dry up in spring and early summer, various annual plant species flower in concentric rings of showy color. The dense mass of white and yellow flowers forms a foamy blanket and give the Meadowfoam its common name. With age, the petals fall away and the persistent sepals clasp the seed-bearing nutlets until they disarticulate from the floral receptacle. less ↑

The genus name Paeonia comes from the Latin ‘paeon,’ meaning ‘physician of the gods.’ A perennial subshrub with large alternate leaves, this species is readily identified by its unusual flowers. They are yellow in the center and grow darker, sometimes even to a dark purple near the edges. The seeds are borne in thick-walled follicles that look like a small cluster of miniature, upright bananas in the center of each flower. less ↑

Blue-eyed grass does not look like a typical iris. What looks like six equal petals are really three sepals alternating with three petals. They just happen to be alike in color and texture. In other irises, the three sepals spread outward and are called falls. The three "real" petals, which are more robust, are called standards. The fall is a sepal and not a petal. Typically, sepals are green and look much like modified leaves. In most irises, however, the sepals are highly modified and look like petals. less ↑

The ghostly white glow of the Phantom Orchid is striking in the deep shade of its forest setting. This species grows only in the decomposing litter of the forest floor. It is snow white in color, lacks leaves, contains no chlorophyll, and cannot manufacture its own food. Saprophytes like this orchid obtain their food from organic material in the substrate through a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi. Of the 15 species of Cephalanthera, the Phantom Orchid is the only one found outside of the Eastern hemisphere and the only species of its genus to be totally dependent on fungi for survival. less ↑

Plants which grow in California's Great Central Valley have to survive from one rainy season to the next. On the other hand, plants of the Sierra Nevada are watered by the trickling snow melt. Thus streamside plants are guaranteed a constant water supply during the warm dry months of summer and early fall. The flowers of Alpine Lily are much smaller than those of Leopard Lily. Each plant may grow to a height of six feet and produce as many as 40 flowers. less ↑