On the way down the mountain a couple days ago, I spotted some new wildflowers in bloom. I’ll have to look up the botanical names, but I’ve included the common names, for now. I’ll add a couple more later today.
The shooting stars are beginning to come out.
This is the sweet hound’s tongue. It likes moisture and shade. This is the only spot on Plaskett where it grows, that I have ever seen, anyway.
These sweet little milk maids like the shade and moisture of the redwoods.
Mission or Chocolate Bells, Fritillaria Biflora, is just beginning to blossom, only one or two so far.
Formerly in the genus Dodecatheon, now in Primula–DNA studies showed all the shooting star species evolved from a relative of the Sierra primrose, http://www.springerlink.com/content/r886574k00113145/
Thanks, Jim, for the identification, and the link!
a rockstar among natives! “the plant formerly know as Dodecatheon jeffreyi” There is a huge colony about 2 miles west of Cuyama right alongside 166 on a rise above the north embankment. Also lots on the slopes above 101 just opposite the Accuncion at Rancho Santa Margarita. Probably out in the Shell Creek area too.
the other is Cynoglossum grande-“Hound’s Tongue” according to Rob’t. Hoover’s ‘Color Supplement to The Vascular Plants of San Luis Obispo County’ It was easy to spot those unique forget-me-not flowers. Spectacular color blue!
thanks for the photos, Kate.
what beautiful names, both botanical and common. I love the spring when the wildflowers start to bloom. Here we are heading towards autumn.
Lots of Hound’s Tongue and Milk Maids blooming on Michael’s Ridge now too.
These are so delicate. The hound’s tongue is beautiful.