By Lena Zentall
Large-flowered Leptosiphon (Leptosiphon grandiflorus) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/230018352
Point Reyes Checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa ssp. rhizomata), Bull Point, July 2018 https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14307872 (My photos were all blurry from this trip!)
A dozen folks headed off-trail in search of the rare flowers of Bull Point on Saturday, July 20, 2024. It was a typical day at Bull Point – cool and windy. We were rewarded with many rare flowers and interesting plants and a few ticks. We were fortunate to have many plant experts in the group to help locate and identify plants.
First, we headed toward the marsh near Creamery Bay. Crossing the overgrown pasture, we examined the prolific Coastal Button-Celery (Eryngium armatum) spread all over the trail as well as Varied Lupine (Lupinus variicolor), Yellow Bush Lupine, and Western Blue-eyed grass dotting the pasture. Prostrate Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis ssp. pilularis) was beginning to flower. Our first destination was the large shallow sand pit that is reliably filled with Large-flowered Leptosiphon (Leptosiphon grandiflorus) in summer. The group discovered large pieces of glass strewn all over the pit – likely an historical trash dump. Beauty sprouts in unexpected places!
Leopard Lily (Lilium pardalinum) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/230018197
Next, we made our way to the marshy bog area that is actually a floating marsh – the plants are able to move vertically with the water level since they are rooted in very little soil. Needless to say, we got our shoes wet observing the rare Point Reyes Checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa ssp. rhizomata) which was flowering and fruiting. Several fading but striking Leopard Lily (Lilium pardalinum) were a treat. We also spotted plenty of Bog St. John’s-Wort (Hypericum anagalloides), Fringed Willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum), and Golden-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium californicum). The leaves of Western Lily of the Valley (Maianthemum dilatatum) were nestled at the base of nearly every shrub. I had spotted one remaining flower on an earlier scouting trip. We also discovered several stands of Magnificent Seep Monkeyflower (Erythranthe grandis), Long-Rayed Brodiaea (Triteleia peduncularis), and plenty of Salmonberry along the barbed-wire fence which had mostly finished flowering and fruiting.
We made our way back to the trail and crossed the stream near the low point in the trail. This year, the trail was dry, and we easily crossed without getting muddy. The water surface was covered with a layer of Floating Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides). We blazed a trail toward the first stand of Sitka Willow (Salix sitchensis) and Western Labrador Tea (Rhododendron columbianum). Along the way, we spotted Davy’s Clarkia (Clarkia davyi) and Common Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) deep in the grasses, sedges, and rushes along the way. We were thrilled to spot at least a dozen White Bog Orchid (Platanthera dilatata) and one possible fading spiraled Hooded Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana).
White Bog Orchid (Platanthera dilatata) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/230018597
We found several tiny delicate Marsh Harebell (Eastwoodiella californica) hiding among the grasses, but our prize was a glorious stand of Coast Lily (Lilium maritimum). In an earlier trip that week, I found a Western False Asphodel (Triantha occidentalis) – recently discovered to be a carnivorous plant. Its sticky stem traps insects which it slowly digests. The marshy ground was covered in Beaked Spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata), a type of walking spikerush that bends with its weight and roots itself to grow more stems enabling it to “walk” across the marsh. It can be a challenge to not trip on it.
Hooded Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/230639434 Notice the slight spiraling shape of the flowers
We lunched in a dry spot in the pasture then forged back to the trail. Next stop, the dunes.
Heading to the dunes we encountered many plants along the trail including a profusion of Variable Linanthus (Leptosiphon parviflorus) in shades of white, pink, and deep magenta. We also discovered the low-growing and pale Alameda Thistle (Cirsium quercetorum), San Francisco Spineflower (Chorizanthe cuspidata), a few patches of Point Reyes Horkelia (Horkelia marinensis), and Witch’s-Teeth (Hosackia gracilis). At the dunes, we saw plenty of Curly Leaved Monardella (Monardella sinuata) but unfortunately we didn’t spot any Point Reyes Silverspot butterflies. It was likely too cool and windy in this spot. From the dunes, we headed back to the trailhead following the trail (mostly) and made it back right on schedule.
Marsh Harebell (Eastwoodiella californica) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/230018606
Point Reyes Horkelia (Horkelia marinensis) https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/408371944
Magnified view of Variable Linanthus (Leptosiphon parviflorus) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/230017879
Coast Lily (Lilium maritimum) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/230639609