Occasional observations on the wildflowers of 91011. Once upon a time, certain books commonly had gilt edging — shiny micro-thin gold leaf on the outside edge of every page. These were fancy books, for sure: like bibles, hymnals, or prayer books, or sometimes really ritzy address books or diaries. Why? Partly because the gold leaf … Read more »
Occasional observations on the wildflowers of 91011. Some wildflowers are masters of balance. They float above the ground on improbably thin stalks, seemingly indifferent to their fragile support, concerned to do only one thing well: shine. Common Woodland Star (Lithophragma affine) is one of these floral acrobats. “Common” Woodland Star? Oh, if only it really … Read more »
Occasional observations on the wildflowers of 91011. As we know all too well, when wildfires cross the line into neighborhoods, the results are usually terrifying — and sometimes searingly tragic, as the recent Eaton Fire demonstrated once again. But wildfire has also always been a part of the larger life cycle of California’s wild landscape. … Read more »
Occasional observations on the wildflowers of 91011. It’s a safe bet that you won’t have to leave your neighborhood, or even your own yard, to see this lovely and horrible wildflower: the highly invasive Bermuda Buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae). Native to South Africa, it was deliberately introduced to California about a hundred years ago as an … Read more »
Occasional observations on the wildflowers of 91011. What’s in a name? In the case of Spotted Hideseed (Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia), the answer might well be “too much” and “not enough.” But before we dissect the name(s) of this plant, you need to know this all-important fact: Spotted Hideseed is simply charming! Which means it’s well worth … Read more »
Occasional observations on the wildflowers of 91011. Now here’s a flower you probably weren’t expecting, with a name that you’d also be unlikely to expect: California Bee Plant (Scrophularia californica). Bee Plant, also known as Figwort, is represented by six species in California, but only S. californica is at all common, and it’s the only … Read more »
Occasional observations on the wildflowers of 91011. Now that you’ve mastered Lupine 101 (haven’t you?), let’s look at another of our local lupines: Collar Lupine (Lupinus truncatus), a modest but lovely lupine found in our foothills. You might be worried (as Lupine 101 warned) that identifying lupine sometimes requires tweezers and a magnifying glass, but … Read more »
Occasional observations on the wildflowers of 91011. “Leaves of three, let it be!” Six pithy words of advice that have probably saved many a youngster — indeed, many an oldster! — from messing with poison oak and from two or three weeks of itchy, blistering rash. But can we agree that as advice goes, this … Read more »
Occasional observations on the wildflowers of 91011. Somewhere in Southern California, perhaps along some freeway, you’ve surely seen those impressive springtime swaths of yellow mustard in bloom. Such a bright and cheery yellow, it’s easy to admire! The legend, known to many California school children, is that early Franciscan friars brought mustard seeds from Spain, … Read more »
Occasional observations on the wildflowers of 91011. Those so-called “common” plant names — you know, the ones in English, not in Latin — are sometimes wonderful clues to a plant’s features and identity. At other times, common names merely give credit to the naturalist who discovered a new species, or perhaps the name honors someone … Read more »
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