A dry spring may hold some surprises. We hope to find in bloom several of this Marin County Open Space preserve’s rare plants, including Tiburon mariposa lily (Calochortus tiburonensis), found only at this location, and Marin dwarf flax (Hesperolinon congestum). Other lovely flowers we can expect to see include Ithuriel’s spear (Triteleia laxa) and farewell- to-spring (Clarkia rubicunda). Participants able to linger until after 4 p.m. may be treated to the delightful sight of clouds of the whitish starry flowers of soap plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum) which seem to hover over the grasses. The top of the ridge affords 360-degree views, and serpentine rock outcroppings host an array of interesting plants. A plant list is available here.
Meet at the top end of Westward Dr., off Paradise Dr. in Corte Madera, a few blocks east of the Paradise Shopping Center (comestibles and restrooms available at Paradise Market). Latecomers will easily find our group higher up the trail that starts at the end of Westward. Bring lunch, plenty of water, and clothes for possibly cold, possibly hot, almost certainly breezy weather. This will be a joint outing with the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists (NCalSBA), so bring your sketching supplies if you are artistically inclined.
Leader: Kristin Jakob kristinjakob@att.net 415.388.1844 (land line)