Tag Archives: blue wildflower

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I have never found one of these beauties. But Chris Pechal found this blooming at The Sea Ranch recently. It's called Pleated Gentian, Gentian affinis.

I shared Chris’ photo with botanist Peter Baye. He confirmed the ID, writing, “Definitely Gentian affinis. That’s an exceptionally pure and large-spotted one. It is distributed right along the immediate coast in well-drained sandy marine terrace soils. There are some old records of it near you in Anchor Bay, and Amy Ruegg reported one from Sea Ranch.” I’ll be looking at my place in Anchor Bay. I have well-drained sandy soil!

Breezy and cooler today, temps in the low 70's.

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This wildflower blooms in the summer months, and it's not a common flower to see. King's Gentian, Gentiana sceptrum, is native to California, though it is found in other areas. Craig Tooley photographed the beautiful flower several weeks ago.

The blossom doesn't open any further than this, I'm told. They grow in moist areas, wetlands and bogs.

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

The fog rolled in, and the smoke from the wildfires is gone here on the Mendonoma coast. Our house at the 650 foot elevation has been the fog line today. The side facing the ocean is in fog and the side facing east has been in intermittent sunshine. The coolness is welcome and is helping those fighting the fires.