December 30, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “I got out for a little hike yesterday and found a few milkmaids, Cardamine californica var. californica in the woods behind our house. Alnus rhombifolia, white alder, is starting to produce flowers (catkins) along Lucas Valley Road. The male catkins are most obvious, the female catkins are tiny and obscure at top of the flowering twigs. Alnus rubra, red alder, usually flowers at least a month later and the trees are mostly on the coast. Arctostaphylos manzanita, common manzanita, is starting to flower at China Camp State Park. California buttercups are in flower along the Mt. Muir fire road.”
December 27, 2008
Bob Sills reports: “Scoliopus bigelovii (Fetid Adder’s Tongue) are blooming in Muir Woods.”
November 21, 2008
Joe Kohn reports: “Lots of Ranunculus californicus (California buttercup) leaves are starting to appear, and a single buttercup flower was spotted on 11/20 on the Yolanda Trail, less than 100 feet from Phoenix Lake. Spring Wildflower season has started!”
October 26, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “We’re just back from the Limantour beach area with the David Herlocker group. It was very foggy there but lots of shore birds were feeding as the tide went out. Massive trail re-routing has occurred, you almost wouldn’t recognize the place. Next spring we probably will have a plant hike out there and co-incidentally see the fait accompli when they have opened up the drainages to possible fish-movements. “
October 6, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Vernon and I pre-tripped the shores of Alpine Lake yesterday. The water level is down well below normal for the date this year but noteworthy plants are few. Still I will do the hike more or less as previously planned on the 12th Oct. but include L. Lagunitas as well because that has more water in it! The four-leaf clover fern (Marsilea vestita) was visible but no pillwort-ferns (Pilularia americana).”
September 25, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “More news from our field trips! Yesterday we found a new native plant species for Marin – Calibrachoa parviflora (was Petunia parviflora) on the drying shore of Stafford Lake reservoir, Novato. It was one I couldn’t initially identify to the delight of those present, who in the past may have suffered from my “know-them-all” deception.”
September 20, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “We re-discovered Astragalus nuttallii (last recorded 1947) on our last CNPS weekend hike to McClures beach, Pt. Reyes. Brad Kelley took the picture. Perhaps we found it because I didn’t take along my camera… “
August 4, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Yesterday’s CNPS field trip to Tomales Bay State park was well- attended. We got to see an early fall show of the poison-oak’s red leaves – even though it is technically still summer. Ripe huckleberries were abundant for the tasting thereof, but to get enough for a pie would take a long time. A few plants were added to the trail species list but there were quite a few differences from the old list compiled in the spring of 2000, perhaps due to vegetational succession. Muriel Jenny contributed these photographs from the walk. The Beach-aster, Corethrogyne filaginifolia (was Lessingia) is abundant right now on some of the hills of Pt. Reyes.”
July 24, 2008
Celia Zavatsky reports: “Here are 3 photos I took this May when I was helping with seed collecting at one of the quarries at Pt Reyes. I had my eyes scanning the ground for the ripe seeds and when I looked up, I saw this peculiar image on the horizon. As I headed up the hill, I realized what it was and took the 2nd pic. Then I quietly sneaked up to snap the final pic. Note Abbotts Lagoon in the background.”
June 20, 2008
John Conley reports: “I hiked at Point Reyes early this morning. The Blue Gentian (Gentiana affinis var. ovata) is now in full bloom on the bluffs above Drake’s Bay. I also enjoyed seeing the Leopard Lily (Lilium pardalinum) in bloom on the Panoramic HIghway (just east of the Bootjack Trailhead and Parking area; no hiking is needed to view the flowers currently blooming there) as I headed back home over the Mountain.”
May 27, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Our Marin CNPS hike on Carson Ridge to look for the only Marin flannelbush (Fremontodendron californicum) population was unsuccessful. In spite of the maps Joe managed to obtain from MCOSD we crashed about in heavy manzanita/poison oak/Sargent cypress for half an hour without seeing any sign of the yellow-flowering shrub. There were some flowers to be seen on the hike from the Azalea Hill trailhead: Pickeringia californica, Navarretia rosulata, Hesperolinon micranthum, Calystegia collina, Delphinium hesperium, Hypericum concinnum, Cuscuta californica, a white Centaurium/ Zeltnera and a very few, very tiny Streptanthus batrachopus. The Boschniakia strobilacea was in fruit in the usual site under a roadside cypress S. of the Cascade Canyon/Repack fire road junction and just downhill , i.e. SW from there, the Gentiana affinis was not yet flowering.”
May 25, 2008
John Conley reports: “I had a nice walk in the rain yesterday, along the beaches of Drake’s Bay and then up onto the bluffs around Drake’s Estero. I was pleasantly surprised and gratified to see so many plants still in bloom there, including some that have just begun to bloom or have just recently reached their peak bloom. At “Horseshoe Lagoon”, the dunes that separate the lagoon from the Ba itself still have many sand verbenas (both the yellow, Abronia latifolia, and the rare (CNPS list 1B) pink, A. umbellata var. breviflora) in bloom, as well as lots of Beach Primrose (Camissonia cheiranthifolia). The Beach Morning Glory (Calystegia soldanella) has just begun to bloom there. On the bluffs above Drake’s Estero, Yerba Buena (Satureja douglasii) is blooming among the Coyote Bush, and Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) is abundant. Ithuriel’s Spear (Triteleia laxa) is just beginning to bloom in this area. There is still a lot of Paintbrush and Monkeyflower in bloom, as well as some late Checkerbloom and Douglas Iris. Yarrow and Coast Angelica are near peak. Several species of Lupine are flowering, and there is still some Ceanothus to be seen (and smelled). The Sticky Cinquefoil (Potentilla glandulosa) is in bloom, and there are still a few Dog Violets (Viola adunca) to enjoy. The late-season rain was a delight for me, and cloudy skies made the colors of the wildflowers more vibrant than bright sunlight would have allowed.”
May 25, 2008
Robert Hall reports: “The wildflowers are still showing on the Deerpark fire road trail in Fairfax. Plentiful Monkeyflower, California Buckeye and Ithuriel’s Spear. Also present: Red Ribbon Clarkia, Everlasting, Hedgenettle, Slender Tarplant and a lone Bush Poppy where Indian Fire Road meets Eldridge Grade. Many yellow flowering plants growing between rocks which I believe to be Stonecrop. A handful of Blue dicks left on the road to the lakes up from Shaver. One Douglas Iris on Eldridge.”
May 8, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Joe’s Marin Headlands field trip along the Coast Trail from the Golden Gate Bridge to the old Rifle Range last Tuesday was very abundantly floral. Most colorful among the many species of flowers encountered on the E. side of the ridge were red Franciscan paintbrush, Castilleja subinclusa ssp. franciscana.”
April 30, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Today was David Herlocker’s Soulejule expedition. I participated for only a very short time as I had set myself the job of monitoring rare plants in the area. A discovery there was a patch of little mudwort, Limosella acaulis, in the drying seasonal wet place NE of the dam.The rest of the group I left to hike round the reservoir. They found Pogogyne serpylloides, a tiny mint with a strong pleasant odor.
“The reduced population of Delphinium bakeri on the Marshall-Petaluma road is now flowering. Along the cliffs S. of Tomales, Amsinckia lunaris and Clarkia concinna ssp. raichei are flowering in much the same sites as Arabis blepharophylla. Near the junction of Chileno Valley Road and the Tomales-Petaluma road, Iris longipetala are abundant on the W. of the road and Hemizonia congesta ssp. congesta (with white flowerheads) is in the grassy field to the E. of the road.”
April 21, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Marin CNPS had a good field trip yesterday to the Missimen wildflower area in Snell Valley, Napa county, where we saw several unusual flowering spp. not found in Marin.” “Hesperolinon congestum, a State and Federally-listed endangered species, is just starting to flower on Ring Mountain.”
April 20, 2008
Sue “Mazer” Mace reports: “There are only a few calypso orchids left on Cataract trail”
April 11, 2008
Sharon Salisbury reports: ” On the two trails around Cascade Falls in Mill Valley there are more Clintonia andrewsiana I have ever seen in one place, Adenocaulon bicolor, Oxalis oregana, Smilacina stellata, Disporum hookeri, Trientalis latifolia. There are also >100 Trillium ovatum (most gone to seed), >100 Fetid Adders Tongue (also gone to seed but many more than I saw in bloom), Iris douglasiana and Marah fabaceus. On Lovell above the falls are Tree Poppies, Star lilies, Sticky Monkey Flower and one of the largest Ceonothus I have ever seen.”
April 1, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “On the (very windy) field trip to Tomales Point last Sunday we did find the Meconella californica but not the Trillium albidum.”
March 26, 2008
Sharon Salisbury reports: “The Columbine are blooming again on the Escalon Fire Trail… must be about 10 of them. Also, on the Old RR grade in Mill Valley there are Hound’s Tongues, Douglas Iris, Star Lilies and other fleurs but this year there is the largest numbers of Fritillaria affinis I have seen in one place. I have walked that trail for 30 years and never seen this many before. Also, hundreds of the single leaves that will bring even more next year. We stopped counting at 100. There are also hundreds of gone to seed Fetid Adder’s Tongues…some with the largest leaves I have ever seen…12″ long would be my guess. Miraflores in Tiburon is beginning its show with thousands of Golden Fields, Buttercups, Hog Fennel, Blue Dicks, Checker Blooms, Blue-eyed Grass, Owls Clover, Tidy Tips, Castilleja wightii and more.”
March 23, 2008
John Conley reports: “I hiked around the Muddy Hollow and the Estero de Limantour areas of Point Reyes yesterday. Due to significant trail re-routing, new trail construction, and trail closures, getting around the area was more challenging than usual, and involved quite a bit of off-trail hiking (which I happen to enjoy, but many would not). Many of the standard loop hikes from the Muddy Hollow trailhead are not currently available. Signs promise the possibility that the new trails will be opened sometime this Summer. Iris douglasiana was blooming everywhere. There are whole hillsides of it above Muddy Hollow itself, and along the Estero Trail between White Gate and Muddy Hollow. Calochortus tolmiei, normally abundant at this time of year on the shores of the Estero de Limantour itself, was not seen there; happily, I stumbled across quite a few “Pussy Ears” in full bloom on the hills just above Muddy Hollow. I enjoyed seeing a lot of Ceanothus in bloom yesterday, and the sweet scent of it was delightful. Camissonia ovata (Suncups) were blooming in abundance, and Mimulus aurantiacus (Monkeyflower) was just beginning to bloom. Castilleja spp., Sisyrinchium bellum, Dicentra formosa, Ranunculus californicus, Vicia gigantea, Claytonia sibirica, and Heracleum lanutum were also in bloom. Marah fabaceus is at its peak, and it’s everywhere to be seen. Rubus spectabilis is blooming, as is Rubus ursinus (as well as R. discolor).”
March 15, 2008
Robert Hall reports: “I took a bike ride in Fairfax starting on the White’s Hill trail and continuing onto the loop in Tamarancho. Flowers seen include Common Star Lily, Miner’s Lettuce, California Buttercup, Douglas Iris, Lupine, Milkmaids, Vetch, Shooting Star, Hound’s tongue, Blue-eyed Grass, Blue Dicks, Paintbrush, Indian Warrior, Stinkbells, one Fiddleneck, and something that resembled Narrow leaf Flax.”
March 13, 2008
Brandon Andre reports: “I observed many flowers blooming on a mountain bike ride at beautiful Camp Tamarancho near Fairfax. Please note that Tamarancho is Boy Scout property. All trail users need to exercise caution at Tamarancho – there is a 7.5 mile singletrack loop that is heavily used by mountain bikers, as well as numerous fire roads and side trails that are restricted from mountain bikers.
The list: Mission Bells (Fritillaria affinis), Milkmaids (Cardamine californica), Indian Warrior (Pedicularis densiflora), California Buttercup (Ranunculus californicus), Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum grande), non-native Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis silvatica), Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon hendersonii), Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana), Ground Iris (Iris macrosiphon), Baby Blue-Eyes (Nemophila menziesii ssp. atomaria), Bluedicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), Coast Sun Cups (Camissonia ovata), Fremont’s Death Camas (Zigadenus fremontii), Cream Cups (Platystemon californicus), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Popcorn Flower (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus), Woolly Paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa), and California Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum).
“Many of these flowers were blooming in abundance! Ive never seen so many Mission Bells or Indian Warriors! There were a couple handfuls of other flowers out there that I am currently unable to identify, such as a miniature lupine (probably Lupinus bicolor) and a glossy, red, three-leafed shrub that looked so beautiful I just had to rub it all over my face, arms and legs. Just kidding. Happy Wildflowering!”
March 9, 2008
John Conley reports: “The Douglas Iris have exploded into bloom on the bluffs above Drake’s Bay, at Point Reyes. I saw hundreds of them this morning, and also enjoyed seeing many other native Spring blooms on the hills just above the Drake Monument at Drake’s Estero: Sidalcea malviflora (Checkerbloom), Camissonia ovata (Sun Cup), Ceanothus sp. (Blue Blossom), Fritillaria affinis var. tristulis (Point Reyes Checker Liliy), Ranunculus californicus (Buttercup), Cerastium arvense (Chickweed), Viola adunca (Dog Violet), Castilleja sp. (Paintbrush), Wyethia angustifolia (Narrow Mule Ears), Sanicula bipinnatifida (Purple Sanicle), Marah fabaceus (Wild Cucumber), and a dwarf version (I think?) of Zigadenus fremontii. Spring has definitely sprung.”
March 8, 2008
Sharon Salisbury reports: “Whilst on my Beach Survey at Kirby Cove yesterday(March 7), I saw Mimulas guttatus, Mimulus auranticaus, Silene gallica, Dichelostemma capitatum and Gnaphalium bicolor. If you take the steep, one-way road you don’t even have to get out of your car to see the show of Indian Paintbrush, Arabis blepharophylla, Shooting Stars and many more. “Does it seem to anyone else that wildflowers are blooming earlier this year?”
March 5, 2008
Sharon Salisbury reports: “Went on a wildflower quest on the Homestead Trail in Mill Valley and was delighted to see…Indian Warrior (Pedicularis densiflora), Butter Cup (Ranunculus californicus), Sun Cups (Camissonia ovata), Hounds-tongue (Cynoglossum grande), Slim Soloman’s Seal (Smilacina stellata), Milk Maids (Cardamine californica), Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon hendersonii), Iris (Iris douglasiana), Oakland Star Tulip (Calochortus umbellatus), Checker Lily (Fritillaria affinis), Trillium ovatum and the most gone-to-seed Fetid Adders Tongues I have ever seen on one place…100 plus. The Hazelnuts are just pushing out their tender, fuzzy new leaves, as are the Buckeyes and the Bay Trees were in full bloom with vigorous Marah fabaceus clambering up and over them. The other day at Miraflores saw the first of the Viola pedunculatas, Tidy Tips and Hog Fennel. Spring has sprung as my mother used to say.”
March 1, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Jepson Prairie, Dozier, S. of Dixon, Solano County. Just a beginning of the wildflower season with Blennosperma nanum, Triphysaria eriantha, Trifolium barbigerum var. ?, Plagiobothrys humistratus, Plagiobothrys sp., and Lomatium caruifolium.”
February 29, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “The Elephant Rocks, W. of Tomales are an interesting roadside area to visit for early coastal species. Flowering there now are Minuartia californica, Barbarea orthoceras, Lasthenia californica, Arabis blepharophylla, Dodecatheon hendersonii, Erigeron glaucus and Saxifraga integrifolia. Soon there will be large Fritillaria affinis, Castilleja affinis, Hesperevax sparsiflora var brevifolia, Triphysara eriantha var. rosea, and Microseris paludosa.The lichen and moss population is also significant.”
February 28, 2008
Joe Kohn reports “We parked right next to the Golden Gate Bridge, and went up the east facing Coastal Trail. It was spectacular, and for the first time this year, there were hillsides filled with wildflowers, red and pink and white and blue, with a lot of the CNPS List 4 Arabis blepharophylla (Coast Rock-cress), as well as many Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria (Baby-white-eyes). After reaching the crest, the north facing slope of the Coastal Trail brought into view the first Aquilegia formosa (Columbine) of the year, as well as Lonicera involucrata (Twinberry).”
February 26, 2008
Sharon Salisbury reports “On the Escalon fire trail in Mill Valley I saw a bank covered with Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon hendersonii) and Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum grande). I have only seen the Shooting Stars there for the first time last year. At Cascade Falls and in the garden at Stolte Grove were hundreds of Trillium ovatum, Milk Maids (Cardamine californica) and Buttercups (Ranunculus californicus).
“Going to be a glorious spring. Thinking of heading back to the desert again this March, as it should be another epic show.”
February 26, 2008
Joe Kohn reports ” In the past month, we’re seen close over 40 species of native plant in flower, and the other day at Mt Burdell, we saw a sight we hadn’t seen since last year: a hillside in bloom, with flowers as far as the eye could see (which, considering how hard it was raining, wasn’t all that far, but it sure was a nice sneak peak of what is in store for us as Spring arrives).”
February 18, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Vernon and I visited Mt. Burdell this afternoon to scout for the forthcoming Marin CNPS field trip. Joe Kohn’s forecast of November last of “likely spp.in flower” has proved accurate, there are many, many Zigadenus fremontii near the San Carlos Open Space entrance, plus Blennosperma nanum and Lasthenia gracilis. We also saw Triphysaria versicolor, Dichelostemma capitatum, Ranunculus californicus, Calandrinia cilata, Thysanocarpus curvipes, Cardamine californica, Eschscholzia californica, Lomatium dasycarpum, Lomatium utriculatum, Fritillaria liliacea and, finally, 5 Mimulus douglasii. We met someone who told us he’d seen Corallorhiza striata up near the W. watertank access. All we need now is for it not to rain next Sunday so we can find even more kinds of early wildflowers.”
February 17, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Steep Ravine trail to Pantoll, Mt. Tamalpais, The weather was cool and foggy but the usual flowers in the woodland at the W. end of Steep Ravine were in bloom – the wakerobin spp. (Trillium chloropetalum and T. ovatum), white fairybells (Prosartes smithii), and of course milkmaids (Cardamine californica). One calypso orchid (Calypso bulbosa) was found up near Pantoll . Another Marin CNPS trip is planned soon (Sunday March 2) to botanize the W. part of the Steep Ravine trail down to the cabins then up to Rocky Point. We hope to find the only Marin population of yellow Franciscan wallflower (Erysimum franciscanum). Our other populations on the Marin Headlands and at Pt. Reyes N.S. are white-flowered.”
February 15, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Chimney Rock. The weather was perfect, mild and sunny with no wind – much better than it usually is in summer at Pt. Reyes.! The spring flowers were just starting, we saw about 50 species, including weeds, in bloom. Most notable Ca. natives were the osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis) on the W. bank of the road to the Fish Dock, scarlet Indian paintbrush (Castilleja sp.) and fragrant white wallflower (Erysimum menziesii ssp. concinnum) growing right at the tip of the Chimney Rock peninsula. We couldn’t find more than a bud of the chocolate lily (Fritillaria affinis var. tristulis).”
February 13, 2008
George Eade contributes 2 photos of fetid adder’s tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) found near Samuel P. Taylor State Park.
February 9, 2008
John Conley reports: “The Coast Wallflower (Erysimum menziesii ssp. concinnum) was in bloom at Chimney Rock, at several spots near the tip of the peninsula. So were Buttercups (Ranunculus californicus) and Footsteps of Spring (Sanicula arctopoides), as well as increasing numbers of blooming Seaside Daisies (Erigeron glaucas). At Abbott’s Lagoon, the Beach Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) is blooming profusely on the outer dunes just above the Pacific. The Wild Cucumber (Marah fabaceus) is also blooming there (and at Chimney Rock). No Wallflowers in bloom were seen at Abbott’s Lagoon, but their emerging leaves were everywhere to be seen, so it is only a matter of time. Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii) were just beginning to bloom at Abbott’s Lagoon. “
February 9, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “At Rock Spring the Sanicula tuberosa and tiny rosettes of Claytonia exigua are just starting to flower and milkmaids are abundant. No Calypso orchids yet, but the leaves are showing.”
February 7, 2008
Joe Kohn reports: “On the CNPS hike to King Mountain, we saw the first flowers of the year on the following plants: Whipplea modesta (Modesty) and Zigadenus fremontii (Star Lily).”
February 3, 2008
Joe Kohn reports: “On the CNPS hike to Cascade Canyon, we saw the first flowers of the year on the following plants: Dodecatheon hendersonii (Shooting Star) and Pedicularis densiflora (Indian Warrior). “
January 29, 2008
John Harrigan reports: “I spotted a lot of Fetid Adder’s Tongues leading up to Carson Falls along Serpentine outcrops. There was also a lot of other flowers just about to bloom but was not sure what they were. It should be an interesting trail to hike in the next couple of days. On top of that Carson falls is bursting with water. “
January 27, 2008
Joe Kohn reports: “On the CNPS walk to Kirby Cove in the Marin Headlands, the following flowers were spotted for the first time this year: Lupinus albifrons var. collinus (the Prostrate Silverleaf Lupine that are the lifeblood of the Mission Blue Butterfly), Dichelostemma capitatum (Bluedicks) and Mimulus guttatus (Perennial Yellow Monkeyflower). “
January 27, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “I checked out Mt. Burdell on Wednesday and there were many Zigadenus fremontii but just 1 Fritillaria liliacea, near the Partridge Knolls MCOSD entrance.”
January 20, 2008
Joe Kohn reports: “We took a CNPS walk on the Palomarin Trail to Alamere Falls, and saw the following native plants in flower: Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), Footsteps of Spring (Sanicula arctopoides), Seaside Daisy (Erigeron glaucus), Lizard Tail (Eriophyllum staechadifolium), Milkmaids (Cardamine californica), Pink Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum), Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana), Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus), California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Manroot (Marah sp.), and both red and yellow Indian Paint Brush (Castelleja sp). We also saw hundreds of mushrooms and a raging Alamere Falls! “
January 17, 2008
Sharon Salisbury reports: “The Fetid Adder’s Tongues are blooming again along the parking lot at Cascade Falls (Mill Valley). At Miraflores (Tiburon) yesterday I was surprised to find some Footsteps-to-Spring in bloom along with a few tattered Tidy Tips. Isn’t this very early for these to be blooming? Been seeing Milk Maids and Miners Lettuce for a few weeks. “
January 16, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “today found flowering Cynoglossum grande and Claytonia perfoliata near the Mt. Muir Ct. to Terra Linda MCOSD fire road. We also have Ranunculus californicus, Dodecatheon hendersonii and Cardamine californica flowering in this valley but, as you know, they have already been reported by others earlier.”
January 15, 2008
Joe Kohn reports: “There were hundreds of fetid adder’s tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) in flower along Redwood Creek in Muir Woods on January 13th. It looked like they’d all just broken through the soil and the leaves weren’t even fully extended.
January 14, 2008
Joe Kohn reports: “on the Jepson/Johnstone loop at Tomales Bay State Park, we spotted lots of flowers, including CNPS 1B Listed Bolinas Manzanita (Arctostaphylos virgata), Salal (Gaultheria shallon), and Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum).”
January 14, 2008
Doreen Smith reports: “Along Lucas Valley Road, under the redwood trees west of the Big Rock, there is fetid adder’s tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) flowering already.”
January 13, 2008
John Conley reports: “I hiked at Point Reyes early yesterday morning, and enjoyed seeing a single buttercup (Ranunculus californicus) and a single coastside daisy (Erigeron glaucus) in bloom at Chimney Rock. Spring is on the way. Later in the day, I traveled to Steep Ravine (Mt. Tamalpais) and hiked near Highway 1, where I enjoyed seeing the blooms of Cardamine californica as well as the (non-native) blooms of Chickweed (Stellaria media). The Milkmaids (Cardamine californica) are just beginning to bloom profusely.”
January 8, 2008
Kirk Keeler reports: “Yesterday I spotted 2 Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon hendersonii) on a trail above the Dominican College area (west slopes adjacent China Camp; San Pedro Ridge East). I will return there when the weather is better to take pictures. I personally have never seen shooting stars this early. Is this uncommon? I was both excited and a bit uneasy about the sighting.”