Friday, April 14, 2006

Now is the time to head to Carrizo Plain National Monument, located off Highway 58 east of Bakersfield. Beautiful fields of fiddleneck (Amsineckia tessellata), goldfields (Lasthenia californica) and California coreopsis (Coreopsis californica) await you. In particular, the fields of coreopsis north of Soda Lake are stunning. Drive south on Elkhorn Road for more goldfields and fiddleneck with some pygmy lupine (Lupinus bicolor) mixed in. In the south end of the monument lots of bladderpod (Isomeris arborea) and some thistle sage (Salvia carduacea) are mixed in with the goldfields.

If you travel to Carrizo Plain you owe it to yourself to also visit Shell Creek Road, which is just west of the monument off of Highway 58. Drive north on this road for blooming baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii), phacelia, sky lupine (Lupinus nanus), pygmy lupine, tidy tips (Layia platyglossa), golden poppy (Eschscholzia californica) and a few devil’s lantern (Oenothera deltoides).

Locally, the Santa Monica Mountains are in peak bloom right now. Try the Sandstone Trail at the Circle X Ranch for some nice variety. Don’t be disappointed by the sparseness of the displays at the start of the trail – you need to walk a bit to find the best examples of blooming natives. This has been one of the best years in memory for the wild California lilac, or ceanothus. Along this trail you’ll see spectacular displays of both hairy-leaf (Ceanothus oligantus) and hoary-leaf ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius). You’ll also see prickly phlox (Leptodactylon californicum), purple nightshade (Solanum parishii), black sage (Salvia mellifera), Eastwood manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa), wild cucumber (Marah fabaceus) and the delicate little California saxifrage (Sacifraga californica).

In the Rocky Oaks area are popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus), pygmy lupine, crypantha, golden poppy, mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides) and lots of hairy ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus) in bloom. Look for this area to improve in the coming weeks – the trails are still muddy and lots of natives look ready to bloom.

In Topanga State Park, try the Dead Horse Trail for some good wildflower displays. The lower part of the trail is along a waterway, while the upper part is through chapparal, so we find a wide cross-section of species in bloom. Along the stream-bed you’ll see chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), greenbark ceanothus (Ceanothus spinosus), canyon sunflower (Venegacia carpesioides) and hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea). In the upper sections expect to find fuschia-flowering gooseberry (Ribes speciosum), California buttercup (Ranunculus califonicus), vervain and sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus).

The Reagan Meadows Trail at Malibu Creek State Park also has some outstanding examples of blooming wild lilac (Ceanothus ssp.), along with golden currant (Ribes aureum), fiddleneck, miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), Douglas’ wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii), fiesta flower (Pholistoma auritum) and Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla). Park in the gravel parking lot at the corner of Mulholland and Cornell and proceed to the trail just beyond the park buildings.

Lots of natives are flowering at the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach. You’ll find baby blue-eyes, bladderpod, blue-eyed grass, Channel Island bush poppy (Dendromecon harfodii), Hooker’s evening primrose (Oenothera elata), sticky monkeyflower, showy penstemon (Penstemon speciosus), black sage, purple sage (Salvia Leucophylla) and woolly blue-curls (Trichostema lanatum) at the park, which is located off of Spring Street just west of Interstate 605.

At the Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve the South and North Poppy Loop trails are still your best bet. You should see goldfields, lupine, cream cups, fiddleneck, forget-me-not and, of course, our State Flower the California Golden Poppy. Peak bloom here should occur from about now through the end of the month.

The northwest corner of the Antelope Valley continues to have the best show in the area. Beautiful fields of California coreopsis, goldfields and golden poppy are interspersed with the Joshua Trees in this area, making for an interesting juxtaposition. You will also find some desert dandelion and pygmy lupine in bloom. Try Gaskell Road, which is off of 170^th Street West, north of Highway 138.

Flowers are finally beginning to bloom in the hills near Gorman, but expect the peak displays to arrive in two to three weeks. For now, California coreopsis and a few patches of goldfields are showing.

The wildflowers continue to please up on Figueroa Mountain north of the city of Santa Barbara. As you start your drive up Figueroa Mountain Road you will see shiny yellow buttercups (Ranunculus californicus) along with purple fiesta flowers (Pholistoma auritum), Johnny jump-ups (Viola pedunculata), hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), blue dicks (Dichelostemma pulchellum), popcorn flowers (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus), lomatium (Lomatium californicum), miners lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) and fiddlenecks (Amsineckia tessellata). Along the second bend, flaming red Indian paintbrush is blooming along the serpentine rocks. A bit further to the right, a small field of shooting stars, lomatium and popcorn flowers are in bloom. In the beautiful canopy area, just past this field on the left, one will see the sky lupine (Lupinus nanus) blooming. It is certainly much smaller than last year, perhaps due to the lack of early rain. In this area, fiesta flowers, buttercups, fiddlenecks, popcorn flowers and hummingbird sage are all in bloom.

Proceed up the hill, the beautiful orange California poppies are blooming along the road, as well as on the rocky hillsides. Blue-eyed grass is also in bloom up the second bend on the left. Ceanothus is still in bloom in this area, as well as throughout the mountain. Buttercups, goldfields, California poppies, blue dicks and lupine continue to bloom. Keep your eyes opened, a Catalina mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae) was spotted this week in one of the grassy fields. Usually when one comes out, others follow shortly after.

Just past Vista Point you’ll see California poppies, coreopsis (Coreopsis californica), blue dicks, popcorn flowers, lomatium and buttercups. Just past the station, on the right shooting stars are present. In the rocky serpentine field, just before Tunnell Ranch road, a few wallflowers are in bloom.

While heading towards Davy Brown and Nira, popcorn flowers, California poppies, fiddlenecks, a few lupine and bush poppies are in bloom. A couple of gooseberry (Ribes malvifolium) bushes are in bloom as well. Keep your eyes opened for these beauties along shady slopes. Their fuchsia-like red flowers are absolutely stunning. Along the road, on the left hand side, about one mile from Cachuma Saddle, baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) are in bloom. About a half a mile before Davy Brown, a pink prickly phlox bush (Leptodactylon californicum) is in bloom on the gravely hillside on the right. One can see another display of baby blue eyes along the left rocky hillside as well as some more prickly phlox, in the winding area before the creek crossing at the Lower Manzana Trailhead.

The Kern River Canyon along Highway 178 is beautiful right now, with several species in full bloom. Great displays of fiddleneck are painting the canyonsides orange, and you will find lots of caterpillar phacelia, baby blue eyes and evening snow. There are clumps of golden poppy scattered throughout the canyon, and near the canyon mouth are nice fields of Bermuda buttercup.

Deserts

The best place to view wildflowers in the Death Valley area is actually just outside the park near the east entrance on Highway 190. Lots of gravel ghost and Bigelow’s monkeyflower are in bloom, along with chuperosa and Panamint daisy. Also, the beavertail cacti in the area have begun to flower.

The wildflower bloom at Anza Borrego Desert State Park is mostly over, but the park’s cacti and agave are in bloom. Look for bright red ocotillo along with desert agave, fishhook cacti and cholla cacti. The beavertail cacti have budded up nicely and should be exhibiting their bright pink flowers any day. Creosote shrubs and some brittlebush are also still in bloom.

A little-known park worth visiting right now is the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve in Morongo Valley. Much of the preserve burned in a wildfire last year, and these burn areas are exhibiting a nice variety of wildflowers. Among the species in bloom are California coreopsis, goldfields, southern suncups, scale bud, pygmy lupine, chia and several species of phacelia. The preserve can be reached by driving north on Highway 62 from Interstate 10 and proceeding the the signed entrance in the town of Morongo Valley.

Northern California

In the East Bay of the Bay Area the flowers at Mt. Diablo State Park are putting forth a wonderful show right now. Among the species in bloom include the endemic Mt. Diablo globe tulip (Calochortus pulchellus), bird’s eye gilia, golden poppy, sticky monkeyflower, hound’s tongue, larkspur, red maids, shooting stars, Indian paintbrush, Indian warrior and Fremont’s star lily. Mt. Diablo and its environs are home to at least eleven species found nowhere else, including the Mt. Diablo buckwheat (Eriogonum truncatum), thought to be extinct until a few specimens were found in 2005. To reach the park, exit Interstate 680 at Diablo Road and drive three miles east.

Another spot in the East Bay worth seeing is Sunol Regional Wilderness Park. Here dozens of species are in bloom, including California buttercup, shooting stars, goldfields, purple owl’s clover, golden poppy, blue dicks, sticky monkeyflower, fiddleneck, Johnny jump-up and some stunning displays of butter and eggs. To reach the park, exit Interstate 680 at Calaveras Road, turn right to Geary Road which leads directly to the flowers.

The wildflowers continue to please at Pinnacles National Monument. Try the Balconies Cliffs Trail for dozens of different species, including Fremon’ts star lily (Zigadenus fremontii), blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), Johnny jump-up (Viola pedunculata), Indian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora), sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), woolly Indian paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa), buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus), Parry’s larkspur (Delphinium parryi), red maids (Calandrinia ciliate), cream cups (Platystemon californicus), bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida) and chia (Salvia columbariae).

West of Yosemite National Park the western redbud have begun to bloom along Highway 140. Pygmy lupine and bush lupine have also begun to flower along the roadside.

An astonishing variety of flowers are available for viewing at Henry Coe State Park near Morgan Hill. Among the many species in bloom are butter and eggs (Triphysaria eriantha), Johnny jump-up, giant trillium (Trillium chloropetalum), fring pod (Thysanocarpus curvipes), blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), Venus’ comb (Scandix pecten-veneris), pacific sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida), poisen sanicle (Sanicula bipinnata), popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus), slender phlox (Phlox gracilis), white baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii ssp. atomaria), goldfields (Lasthenia californica), bird’s eye gilia (Gilia tricolor) and purple owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta).

Wildflower Walks and Events

Los Padres National Forrest:

Pozo Wildflowers – May 13 at 9:30 A.M.

Call (805) 925-9538, ext. 246 for more information, or Email htarbet@fs.fed.us

Kern River/Southern Sierra:

Bioregions Festival – April 29 and April 30 – Tour the eastern Kern River Valley and the Eastern Sierra on Saturday the 29^th, and visit the Southern High Sierra on Sunday the 30^th. From 7:00 A.M. until dark. Cost is $45.00 for one day, $75.00 for both days. Email natureali@ixpres.com for information.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area:

Leo Carillo State Park – Adventure With a Ranger – Every Sunday at 9:00 A.M.

Pt. Mugu State Park – Adventure With a Ranger – Every Saturday at 9:00 A.M.

Placerita Canyon Nature Center:

Wildflower Walk – Saturday, May 14 – 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

Eaton Canyon Nature Center:

Field Trips In Nature – a two hour class for children 5 and up. Cost is $5.00 per child. Call 626-398-5420 for information.

El Dorado Nature Center:

Discovery Tours – two-hour guided tour. Cost is $4.00 per person. Call 562-570-1745 for reservations.