December 12, 2006
Doreen Smith reports: “some milkmaids (Cardamine californica) flowering along Lucas Valley Road.”
December 2, 2006
Bob Sills reports: “The fetid adderstongues (Scoliopus bigelovii) are starting to bloom in Muir Woods.”
November 14, 2006
Doreen Smith reports: “There are still a few Parnassia californica flowering at Old St. Hilary’s in the seeps below the church.”
September 29, 2006
Doreen Smith reports: “The hike to Tomales Bay State Park went well, the weather was perfect with a refreshing autumnal chill in the air. The huckleberries were not abundant but there were enough for tasting. For remaining flowers there were harebells (not hareballs as the local paper mis-printed) narrow-pod bird’s foot trefoil and grass-leaved goldenrod but the main sources of color were the various berries-and the showy red poison-oak leaves.”
September 5, 2006
Doreen Smith reports on the Saturday 2nd Sept. field trip to China Camp : “Unfortunately there was some mix-up regarding the date of the scheduled field trip to China Camp State Historic Park so Mike Vasey was not present on Saturday to be our leader. The day was fine, sunny, not too hot and people from several CNPS Chapters attended. Unusual plants found included Lessingia hololeuca and Cordylanthus pilosus. Later some of us went to the Las Gallinas Valley wastewater ponds to see flowering the only known Marin population of the native ice-plant, Sesuvium verrucosum.”
August 22, 2006
Peter Denisevich reports: “A few Mimulus cardinalis are blooming in Fairfax at Cascade Falls, Cascade Canyon MCOSD, though the falls are down to a trickle. How the tiny seeds survived being washed away I don’t know since they’re right in the middle of the falls…”
July 31, 2006
Doreen Smith reports : “We had a good day for the “wetlands hike”, even fine, clear, sunny “Wilma weather” out on the Abbotts Lagoon trail. There were several common coast rein orchids out there near the bridge to the dunes and one Spiranthes romanzoffiana. Later we all went to look for the Spiranthes population Brad Kelley told us about at “F” ranch, then we went to see if we could discover the rare Pt. Reyes rein orchid near the lighthouse parking lot .We did find a few of them.”
July 29, 2006
Brad Kelley reports: “For those interested in Point Reyes orchids there are many Spiranthes romanzoffiana (Hooded Ladies Tresses) blooming close to Sir Francis Drake at F Ranch. There are a couple dozen close to the F Ranch gate and more than a hundred in the field on the opposite side of the road. “Sniff the air while you are there and you will likely smell the honey scent of the Horkelia marinensis (Point Reyes Horkelia) listed as “fairly endangered” in California but common in that area. You can even smell them as you drive by!”
July 24, 2006
Doreen Smith reports from the Tomales Dunes hike: “The Tanacetum camphoratum (in the back dunes of Lawsons Landing) were at the peak of flowering. The rest of the dunes were like a desert with blue and green water-filled playas, very scenic and not too hot there on the coast. The purple-foliage Cordylanthus maritimus was in good shape in the salt marsh. “
July 20, 2006
Don Sadowski reports: “Drake’s Beach has a wonderful display of blue gentians. They are located on the west overlook at Drake’s Beach, beyond the wooden fence, on the right of the trail, about 30 yards beyond the overlook fence. The beach is also a nice place to go to avoid the heat and enjoy the cool ocean breezes. Take a pinic lunch and enjoy the day.”
July 19, 2006
Doreen Smith reports: “If you drive out to Drakes Beach a short walk uphill past some Pearly Everlasting gives you great views and now Gentians…There are also a few short Spiranthes romanzoffiana at the w. end of the parking lot on a little island in the blacktop.”
July 9, 2006
John Conley reported: “I enjoyed hiking at Point Reyes yesterday morning — first at Drake’s Bay in the early morning hours, and then later at F Ranch. At Drake’s Bay, on the bluffs above Drake’s Estero itself, the Blue Gentian (Gentiana affinis) is currently in full bloom, and probably near its peak this season. A host of other plants are still in bloom there: Coyote Mint, Monkeyflower, Indian Paintbrush, Dog Violet, Coast Angelica, Grindelia, Lotus, Yarrow, Blue-eyed Grass, Dudleya, Morning Glory, Centaurium, Prunella, and many more. At F Ranch, Linanthus grandiflorus is now blooming profusely, as is Clarkia davyi.”
June 16, 2006
Brenda Lein reports: “There is a lesser known and trekked trail to a second waterfall at Elliot Nature Preserve. Cross the top of the falls at the end of the trail and follow your intuition. This trail is NOT for the faint hearted. It’s not maintained, some who’ve I’ve dragged with me insist it’s really a deer trail and this time of year the dwarf forest is so thick even I question whether or not it’s a trail. If you’re brave and adventerous, you’ll come upon another waterfall with two fairly sizable pools that harbor newts in a valley that is alive with the sound of frogs and crickets and abuzz with wildlife. That wild life includes these near bursting wild tiger lilies!”
June 1, 2006
Brenda Lein reports: “This beautiful yellow Calochortus luteus is in bloom and peppering the hillside, on the Shady Side Trail at Bon Tempe. Haven’t walked the Sunny Side Trail in a while, I imagine they’re over there too!”
May 29, 2006
John Conley reports: “had a great morning walk on the Phyllis Ellman Trail on Ring Mountain. While our recent early Summer heat and the abrupt cessation of rain has dried out the area very quickly, there were still a host of wildflowers in bloom this morning. Several flowering onions were seen, as well as a multitude of “Ithuriel’s Spear” (Triteleia laxa) in full bloom. “Tarweed” was also in full bloom everywhere one looked, and Western Larkspur was still blooming, as was “Tidy Tips”. At the top of the mountain, Phacelia californica and Collinsia heterophylla (Chinese Houses) bloomed near Turtle Rock, and Silene californica (Indian Pink) was also in full bloom. The Serpentine Morning Glory was also seen. Only a few specimens of Calochortus tiburonensis were seen, with only one in full flower (and several others in bud). “
May 17, 2006
Doreen Smith reports “The walk yesterday to the Bull Point area was in foggy weather which returned after all the sun that was out there the previous weekend. We found wonderful multi-colored meadows of mixed low-growing flowers at Abandoned “F” Ranch. This was on the flats just NE of the grove of cypress trees.”
May 9,2006
John Conley reports on the May 6th hike on Azalea Hill: “It was a great excursion, and we saw lots and lots of flowers in bloom. Friends of the Corte Madera Creek Watershed had planned the walk and arranged for Doreen Smith to lead it. With her encyclopedic knowledge of Marin flora, we saw (and could identify) much more than we otherwise would have been able to. We saw a variety of Linanthus species in bloom, as well as several uncommon or rare plants (including the Serpentine Morning-glory and Mt. Tamalpais Manzanita). Of course, Goldfields, Buttercups, Checkerbloom, Blue Dicks, Sun Cups, Cream Cups, Iris, several Sanicles, and many, many others were also seen.”
May 2, 2006
Mary Stevens reports: “We saw Aristolochia californica (California Pipevine) with blooms and fruit as well as Pipevine Swallowtail egg deposits at Cascade Canyon, MCOSD on David Herlocker’s walk.”
May 2, 2006
Sharon Salisbury reports “Keep going to Mirafloras every week and seeing more and more flowers. Allium lacunosum, Cryptantha flaccida and Wyethia augustifolia are just beginning to bloom along with many clovers and vetches plus all the earlier wild flowers are still going strong. With the cessation of the rain and the arrival of our long, hot summer these beauties will soon be gone. “
April 25, 2006
Peter Denisevich reports: “Dozens of spotted coral root (Corallorhiza maculata), many in full bloom with more to come, along SW shore of Bon Tempe Lake, about half way between the parking lot and the dam.”
April 26, 2006
Sharon Salisbury reports “I was walking through the tiny but beautiful Blackstone Canyon about 2 days ago and there were thousands of Buttercups and more Iris than I have ever seen in one place. Further up the trail just where the trail starts to climb steeply beside the creek and waterfalls there is a hill resplendent with dozens of Collinsia heterophylla, Dichelostemma capitatum and more iris in unimaginable shades of pink, blue, yellow and purple. There was also a few Delphinium patens(pretty sure) alongside the creek.”
April 23, 2006
Brenda Lein reports “In a sea of blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum) there was a lone white dick…on the Buckeye trail at Deer Park last week. “
April 23, 2006
Bob Soost reports Roadside viewing: ” Meadow Foam (Limnanthes douglasii) on the west side of Pt. Reyes/ Petaluma Rd. at the intersection of Novato Blvd.; Buttercups (Ranunculus californicus) on the east side of Chimney Rock Rd., Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Goldfields (Lasthenia californica) on the south side and Meadow Foam
(Limnanthes douglasii) on the north side. This patch of var. douglasii is unusual for the Seashore. Most sites are var. sulphurea. “
April 21, 2006
Brenda Lein reports “Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) are blooming At Elliot Nature Preserve.”
April 10, 2006
Don Sadowski reports: “Anyone willing to slosh through the water and mud at Rush Creek will be rewarded by seeing several wildflowers in bloom and birds. Most notable flowers are a hillside full of Coast/White Baby-blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) and many Woodland Stars (Lithophragma affine). Also, saw not one but two eurasian widgeons swimming side by side blending in with several American widgeons.”
April 7, 2006
Don Sadowski reports from the Rock Spring hike on Mt Tam with Doreen Smith and David Herlocker: “In the serpentine area, we came across Paronychia franciscana and Phacelia divaricata that Doreen identified and may be of interest to all.”
March 30, 2006
Peter Denisevich reports:: “Striped coral root (fewer than last year or maybe just harder to find in the gloom) on Yolanda Trail between Fairfax and San Anselmo. Wyethia glabra are blooming in spite of the endless rains. Cascade Canyon MCOSD, Fairfax.”
March 29, 2006
Amelia Byrd Ryan reports: ” The Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes was in full bloom on Sunday. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) and Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana) were everywhere, with scattered patches of Point Reyes blennosperma (Blennosperma nanum var. robustum), baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii), coast rock cress (Arabis blepharophylla), and lots of wallflower (Erysimum menziesii ssp. concinnum) – lovely to look at and smell – blooming near the very tip of the point. The elk were nice too.”
March 26, 2006
Sharon Salisbury reports more species starting to bloom at Miraflores Open Space, Tiburon: “…Blue-eyed Grass, Hog Fennel, and Checkerbloom. Also on the Old Railroad Grade there are Checker Lilies, Tree Poppies, many Common Star lilies and Indian Warriors that are just starting to bloom. I agree with Doreen that this cold wet weather seems to be keeping the flowers a little tentative. Don’t blame them.”
March 26, 2006
Doreen Smith reports from Edna Hickok’s MTIA hike at Pantoll and Rock Spring: ” The wet and cool weather has retarded the wildflower season on Mt. Tamalpais. The only plants that are revelling in the conditions on the Old Mine trail and Rock Spring area are, Popcornflower, (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus), Hound’s tongue, (Cynoglossum grande), Fairy slipper orchid, (Calypso bulbosa), and, on the serpentine barrens:- the local form of Littlepod, (Athysanus pusillus), Claytonia exigua “rosulata”, Turkey-pea, (Sanicula tuberosa), and slender chickweed, (Stellaria nitens). We hope that warmer weather will prevail in the 3 weeks before the April 15th MTIA “wildflower weekend” to develop plants now only vegetative. On the way up to Bootjack Camp and Pan Toll, the roadside tall silver-leaf blue lupines are the Mt. Tamalpais form of Lupinus albifrons!”
March 21, 2006
Doreen Smith reports from David Herlocker’s Ring Mountain hike: ” The total of flowering plant species seen was 50. The most notable being:- Thermopsis californica (golden banner), Calochortus umbellatus (Oakland star tulip), Calochortus uniflorus (Monterey star tulip), Achillea millefolium (yarrow), Lasthenia gracilis (goldfields), Tauschia kellogii (yellow parsley), Lomatium dasycarpum (biscuit-root), Lomatium utriculatum (Spring gold), Sanicula tuberosa (turkey-pea), Sanicula bipinnatifida (red-purple sanicle), Phacelia californica (coast caterpillar-flower), Zigadenus fremontii and Plectritis macrocera.
“If you want to be sure of finding and/or photographing certain plants it is a good idea to join a field trip to have the locations pointed-out! Most of Marin CNPS’s information about various plant species’s localities has been the result of decades of searches and observations by people participating in Wilma Follette’s (and others) walks.”
March 20, 2006
Sharon Salisbury reports “The Miraflores Open Space is literally bursting with Layia platyglossa, and Lasthenia chrysotoma. Also present but in smaller numbers are Placelia californica, Achillea millefolium, Dichelostemma pulchellum, Ranunculus californicus, Eschcholzia californica and more I am sure but I was there as the sun was setting. It is a challenge to walk without stepping on a Tidy Tip or a Goldfield. On one path there were small forests of Thermopsis californica and dainty Viola pedunculata”
March 15, 2006
Sharon Salisbury reports “On the Homestead Valley trail the Calochortus umbellatus is just starting to bloom along with Hound’s Tongue, Buttercups, Douglas Iris, Slim Soloman’s Seal and a few Checker Lilies.”
March 14, 2006
Don Sadowski reports “Berberis pinnata (Coast Barberry) is in bloom at Tennessee Valley, on the side of the main hiking trail leading out to the ocean.”
February 28, 2006
Doreen Smith reports “We were lucky with the weather and the flowers forlast Saturday’s Mt. Burdell field trip. The little mouse-ears (Mimulus douglasii) were found as well as the fragrant fritillary (Fritillaria liliacea).”
February 23, 2006
Wendy Dreskin reports “Claytonia gypsophiloides on Rocky Ridge above Lake Bon Tempe. Dicentra formosa on Bear Valley Trail west of Divide Meadow, plus lots of Sanicula arctopoides at Arch Rock overlook.”
February 22, 2006
Don Sadowski reports “Today was a wonderful day for hiking in Chimney Rock, sunny, clear and the temperature was comfortable. In addition to those flowers already stated by others in earlier writings, Matt Janin and I observed early blossoms of Violets, yellow Indian Paint Brush, Wall Flowers, Checker Bloom and Mule Ears.”
February 22, 2006
Doreen Smith reports “Just back from a pre-trip survey for Saturday’s CNPS event on the S. slope of Mt. Burdell, starting at San Carlos Dr. In no particular order, and by common name so as not to frighten-off beginners: goldfields, suncups, little blennosperma, bluedicks, biscuitroot, turkey- pea, Fremont’s death camas, creamcups, lily-fritillary, miners lettuce, hounds-tongue, shooting stars, Ca. saxifrage, buttercups, and one “blue-eyed Mary” i.e. Collinsia sparsiflora.”
February 15, 2006
Doreen Smith reports from the Marin Naturalist hike at Chimney Rock: “We were challenged by a stiff cold wind but the sun was bright and the long-distance views were sparkling. In all we found 39 different species of flowers in bloom, 28 of which were natives. The only species in reasonable abundance was Douglas’ Iris. There were some flowers of the Pt. Reyes Chocolate Lily – including one very vigorous specimen in the shelter of pine trees in area just S. of the Coastguard/ Ranger white house.
February 12, 2006
Doreen Smith reports from David Herlocker’s Mt. Burdell hike: “a fair number of flowers (and birds) were seen by all. Flowers included Dodecatheon hendersonii, Zigadenus fremontii, Blennosperma nanum var. nanum, Ranunculus californicus, Sanicula laciniata, Saxifraga californica, Lepidium nitidum, Cardamine californica, Marah fabaceus, Dichelostemma pulchellum and even a few Ranunculus lobbii in “Hidden Lake”.”
February 11, 2006
John Conley reports “I hiked on Mt. Tam this morning, heading out from Pantoll on the Old Mine Trail, and then onto the Dipsea Trail into Steep Ravine. The warm weather of the past week has brought an abundance of flowers into bloom. There is a lot of Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum grande) blooming near Pantoll, and many Star Lilies (Zigadenus fremontii) in full bloom along the Dipsea Trail. Wild Cucumber (Marah fabaceus) is also in full bloom around Pantoll and in Steep Ravine. Steep Ravine itself has lots of Trillium (T. ovatum) in bloom, and quite a bit of Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) as well as a few Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) blooms. In Steep Ravine near Highway 1, Trillium chloropetalum is still blooming but beginning to fade a bit. Also near Highway 1, there is Smilacina racemosa (False Solomon’s Seal) in bloom and lots of Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata). Milkmaids (Cardamine californica) are blooming just about everywhere, but beginning to fade. Fairy Bells (Disporum smithii) seem to be at their peak, and there are quite a few of them in Steep Ravine near Highway 1, and more a bit further up the Ravine near the intersection with the Dipsea Trail. Just West of Highway 1, descending toward the Steep Ravine campground, there is Coast Barberry (Berberis pinnata) blooming, along with a handful of Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon hendersonii) on the hill above the road. More of the latter can be found blooming on the Matt Davis Trail near (just West of) Pantoll. Fetid Adder’s Tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) is abundant in Steep Ravine near Pantoll. Much to my surprise, I found quite a bit of it still in full bloom. On the Matt Davis Trail, West of Pantoll, the Calypso Orchid (Calypso bulbosa) has just begun to bloom. I saw only two plants in bloom this morning, but I’d guess that there will be many more within the next week. Spring is definitely here.”
February 1, 2006
Sharon Salisbury reports “Tis that time of year again, and what a year it has been. Saw my first Trillium ovatum at Cascade Falls today in Mill Valley. As you walk toward the falls from the parking lot they are about 40 feet up the trail across the creek. There was a small grove of about 7 nestled against a moss-covered log. Still some fetid adder’s tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) along the parking lot, some just coming into bloom although most have gone to seed.”
January 28, 2006
John Conley reports Sanicula arctopoides in bloom “on Chimney Rock (at the terminus of the peninsula). This common (and often unnoticed) plant is one of my favorite harbingers of Spring in Northern California. I only saw one plant in full bloom yesterday. No other blooms (of any species) were seen at Chimney Rock, but the “Footsteps of Spring” have now arrived there.”
January 24, 2006
Doreen Smith reports " Ribes californicum and Aristolochia californica are starting to flower alongside the flat parts of Lucas Valley Road (east of the Big Rock) i.e. in the Las Gallinas Valley!! “
January 20, 2006
Doreen Smith reports " More flowers are coming out! Last weekend on Gini Havel’s mushroom hike we saw lots of pink flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum) in flower already, and Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) even." The big Blennosperma (at Pierce Point Ranch parking area) and little Blennosperma (at Mt. Burdell) are only just starting but on Mt. Burdell’s south slope near the San Carlos Dr. entrance to the open space the Zigadenus fremontii are already up.
" This last weekend, on a hike from the Mountain Theatre to West Point Inn, we saw the Arctostaphylos canescenswas in as good flower as it will ever be this season. The flowers are paler than usual, maybe “washed out” by all the rain. There was only very little flowering A.glandulosa except for a nice one by the “no entry old radar-site” pull-out at the “middle peak” of Mt. Tam. Also two species of Garrya; G. fremontii and G. elliptica, can be seen in catkin right by the road near that same spot.”
January 7, 2006
Donald Henry reports fetid adder’s tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) " blossoming at the Cascade Falls parking area”
January 6, 2006
Doreen Smith is " pleased to report milkmaids (Cardamine californica) and fetid adder’s tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) are already flowering, as are the coast silktassel bushes (Garrya elliptica), ” along Lucas valley Road.
January 1, 2006
Bob Sills reports " lots of fetid adder’s tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) in bloom at Muir Woods.”