Tag Archives: Wild Ginger

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Amy Ruegg went out on a local trail last Sunday and while she found trees down because of the recent storms, she also found early wildflowers. Milkmaids, Cardamine californica, are blooming now. They are members of the Mustard family.

Amy also found Western Trilliums, Trillium ovatum.  This photo shows one covered in raindrops. The white blossom tells you it is freshly bloomed. The blossom will turn pink and then darker still in the days ahead as it "ages."

And lastly, Amy found Wild Ginger, Asarum caudatum.

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

It's a lovely day here on the Mendonoma Coast today, sunny with little breeze, and temps briefly hit 70 degrees!

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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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Wild Ginger, Asarum caudatum, is blooming  now on the Mendonoma coast. Mary Hunter photographed an early bloomer in mid-February. Isn't the flower incredible?

It's the heart-shaped leaves that give this native wildflower its common name - they smell of ginger. Look for Wild Ginger in shaded forest floors and it's evergreen.

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

Another sunny day in paradise, though we may get some colder and wet weather coming in Saturday night. Bring it, Mother Nature!

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Amy Ruegg found an early Wild Ginger, Asarum caudatum, in bloom. They are  members of the Pipevine Family, and they are found in moist forests.

These plants don't actually have petals; they have three maroon sepals that are often hidden under the heart-shaped leaves. The leaves give this native wildflower its common name of Wild Ginger. Rub them gently to release a ginger scent.

Banana Slugs and Ants play a role in pollinating this beautiful plant, carrying its seeds to new locations in the forest. They are low growers, so you need to pay attention. Amy photographed this Wild Ginger on a trail on The Sea Ranch last weekend.

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

Once again we are having nothing but blue skies and warm temps. Many Gray Whales are being seen in this calm stretch of weather. They are headed southward for the birthing and mating lagoons off of Baja. It's always a thrill to see spouts out on the ocean.

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Wildflower season begins early on the Mendonoma coast. One of our longest bloomers is the Douglas Iris. Marsha Dupre recently photographed some.

Barbara Rice found Indian Warriors.

Bea Hoover photographed Wild Ginger.

And Jutta Leibrock found Common Camas.

We have had rain showers this weekend, which will be wonderful for all the beautiful wildflowers. I was told on a wildflower walk led by Julia Larke that 45 different species of wildflowers were found at our new public access spot, Pelican Bluffs. That's amazing!

Thanks to all above who have allowed me to share their photos with you here.