Tag Archives: Iris douglasiana

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Many  native wildflowers are quite small. It's Mother Nature's way of seeing if you are paying attention! Amy Ruegg is definitely paying attention. Here are some of the beauties she found recently. The first is Hound's Tongue, Cynoglossum grande, a member of the Forget-me-not Family.

Redwood Violets, Viola sempervirens, are blooming now too.

The lovely Wild Ginger, Asarum caudatum, joins in the chorus.

And Amy also found Douglas Iris, Iris douglasiana, one of the coast's larger wildflowers.

Thanks to Amy for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

Another warm day with no wind. It's easy to spot Gray Whale spouts on the ocean. Changes are afoot though, with cooler temps and the possibility of some wet stuff in a few days.

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Spring wildflowers continue to appear. Each appearance is like seeing an old friend. Mary Sue Ittner recently photographed Stream Violets, Viola glabella.

Grace O'Malley found Douglas Iris in full bloom, Iris douglasiana.

And Joyce Nugent found Footsteps of Spring, Sanicula arctopoides.

Many others are joining in the chorus of loveliness.

We are having a mix of clouds and sun. And it's warmer today!

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Every winter, beginning around Christmas, Rick and I look for Slink Pod, Scoliopus bigelovii, also called Fetid Adder's Tongue. This year we found our first one mid-January.

They can be very hard to spot, as they are quite tiny. They are members of the Lily family and the two leaves you can see just peeking up through the forest duff, will grow in the weeks ahead to be quite large. These leaves are oblong and mottled and if you see them later in the year, then next winter look for the tiny orchid-like bloom in the same spot.

Amy Ruegg found the first blooming Douglas Iris, Iris douglasiana.

Now that does seem early! I am looking for Milkmaids, Cardamine californica. The first leaf has appeared in spots but no sign of the flower stalk yet.

Thanks to Amy for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Another dose of rain overnight, along with a few showers today. Coastal streams are full, creating beautiful waterfalls when they spill over bluffs. The weather forecast calls for sunny, warm days. Pretending to be spring?

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On a hike with a friend yesterday Rick and I saw a lone Douglas Iris, Iris douglasiana, blooming in a sunny patch of land. Yes, it is early for this wildflower to bloom but there was no denying its beautiful presence.

And today a small pod of Gray Whales were seen headed south. All in all, a beautiful day on the Mendonoma Coast!