Star Lilies bloom in late spring and early summer on the Mendonoma Coast. Their Latin name has recently been changed from Zigadenus fremontii to Toxicoscordion fremontii. All parts of this plant are deadly, hence its other name, Death Camas. Richard Hansen recently photographed one.
This California native often grows alongside roads. It's a perennial herb. Knowing of its toxicity, we just admire this plant from a distance.
Thanks to Richard for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
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.
The rains of this week have brought several wildflowers into bloom. One is the delicate Windflower, Anemone oregana. It is also called Western Wood Anemone or Oregon Anemone. It is a California native, though it is also found in a few other western states, including Oregon. It's a perennial herb. The juice from Windflowers can cause skin rashes. Who knew such a lovely little wildflower had a bite?
The petals are so delicate that if you touch them they might fall away. So now we know to look but don't touch. These wildflowers just bloomed on our property in Anchor Bay. They are quite small, perhaps two inches tall, and are on the forest floor near Quinliven Creek.
Debra Mundt was enjoying hiking at Hearn Gulch when she came across an early blooming wildflower. Wight's Paintbrush, Castilleja wightii, is a perennial herb. It is a California native and is only found in California. I thank Debra for allowing me to share her photo with you here.
The Mendonoma Coast is experiencing a very wet storm today. The creek that runs through our property is doing its best imitation of a mighty river. After this series of storms is over wildflowers will burst into bloom on coastal bluffs. Hearn Gulch is a spot I'm definitely going to visit in the weeks to come.
To learn more about Hearn Gulch, here's a link to a previous post on this site: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/01/06/ive-just-fallen-in-love-with-hearn-gulch/
An oh-so-lovely blue wildflower was recently photographed by Craig Tooley. Its name is Gentiana affinis var. ovata. Due to its rarity, Craig is keeping the exact location secret. But I can safely say it was photographed on the Sonoma Coast. It is a California native; a perennial herb. I thank Craig for allowing me to show it to you, in all its glory, here!
To see more of Craig's work, here's a link to his web site:http://web.me.com/theruffians1