Tag Archives: Chimaphila menziesii

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I wouldn't call these small wildflowers rare, but they don't bloom very often. Neighbors have a fairly large colony of them, but only one bloomed this year. In showing some of the rare wildflowers at Rick's and my place, we found a group of Little Prince's Pine blooming along a trail up from the forest floor.

They stand only a couple of inches tall and they are very easy to overlook. Native wildflowers, in many cases, are Mother Nature's way of seeing if you are paying attention!

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

It's breezy and warm, with the fog out over the ocean. I have a second clutch of Violet-green Swallows in a birdhouse under the eaves. The babies are getting very loud and I think they will be fledging soon.

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Little Prince's Pine, Chimaphila menziesii, is blooming now on the Mendonoma Coast. They are fairly rare so it's a treat to see one. Ken Browning recently photographed one he found on The Sea Ranch.

One is also blooming on the Gualala Ridge. There are a few on our neighbor's property but they haven't put out a bloom yet. This native wildflower is also called Pipsissewa. It is only about two inches high and the leaves are saw-toothed.

Wildflowers like these are Mother Nature's way of seeing if you are paying attention!

Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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I love this little wildflower. Little Prince's Pine, Chimaphila menziesii, has begun to bloom in a sunny spot in Anchor Bay.

It's a perennial herb and a native of California though it is found in other western states. It is growing in sandy soil at the 600 foot elevation. This small pink wildflower is a rare sighting on the Mendonoma Coast.

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I've been watching a group of these small plants, waiting and waiting to see what the bloom might be. My patience has finally been rewarded. If you haven't met, let me introduce you to Little Prince's Pine - Chimaphila menziesii. Thanks go to Peter Baye to for the ID. It's a perennial wildflower in the Heath family and it's a California native, just like me!