California Wildflowers

   

Mimulus, the Bush Monkey Flower, blooms in early spring. It has a profusion of light orange, tubular flowers. The leaves are about two inches long and are sticky.

   

Pictured above are Blue Dicks, Brodiaea pulchella, a member of the Brodiaea genus of the Lily family. There are many species of Brodiaea, some of which can be grown in the garden. Plant from seeds or corms. Blue is the most common color, but white, yellow and reddish flowers are also found. The flowers are in clusters at the end of long, sometimes twisting, stems. The foliage is sparce and grass-like.

   

This is a Phacelia. I don't know the species. The photos were taken at Montaña de Oro in San Luis Obispo County. There are many species of Phacelia. They often grow in great profusion in open and sunny locations along the coast, especially in burn areas.

   

This is a Sage, a species of Salvia. It belongs to the Labiatae, also called Lamiaceae, the Mint family. This is a very large family that has square stems, opposite leaves, and tubular flowers with a large lower lip. The flowers are most often arranged in spikes.

   

On the left is Poison Oak. You should recognise this one by it's three leaflets. The new leaves in the spring are a light green. They will turn reddish later in the year. Don't count on the color to identify this one! On the right is Miner's Lettuce. The 49ers used this plant in salads. The stems go through the center of the leaves. Small white flowers appear at the tips of the stems.

Go to Next Page of Wildflowers

© 1998 by Jim Clatfelter         Go to Garden California Home Page

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page