So, here are 15 CA native species that I first encountered in 2013 but didn't put in any posts.
First up, 5 species I saw on the east side of the Sierra Nevada, in Mono County:
Great Basin Mariposa Lily, Calochortus bruneaunis, exploding out of the sagebrush steppe
Alpine Lily, Lilium parvum, likes high elevation riparian corridors
Fewleaf Spiderplant, Carsonia sparsifolia, a stinky bladderpod relative
Great Basin Bog Orchid, Platanthera tescamnis
Beautiful Shooting Star, Dodecatheon pulchellum
And here are 5 from the Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountains:
False Ground Cherry, Chamaesaracha nana, a Nightshade like tomatoes and potatoes
Hairy Paintbrush, Castilleja pilosa, that hides in bushes
Congdon's Lewisia, Lewisia congdonii, a CNPS 1B.3 and CA State listed rare species
Yosemite Woolly Sunflower, Eriophyllum nubigenum, also a 1B.3 rare endemic
And speaking of woolly - check out these crazy seed pods:
Woolly Pod Milkvetch, Astragalus purshii var. tinctus
And finally, 5 from the North Coast Ranges, near Mount St. Helena and Calistoga, starting with another, quite different milkvetch...
The rare 1B.2 serpentine-loving Jepson's Milkvetch, Astragalus rattanii var. jepsonianus
Cascade Onion, Allium cratericola, which also likes serpentine, but grows on volcanics too
The wild, weird & wonderful Hoover's Lomatium, Lomatium hooveri
Pacific Fawn Lily, Erythronium helenae, a lily that screams for attention
And Purdy's Fritillary, Fritillaria purdyi, a much more humble lily
So - 2014 - whatchya got?
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References:
- The Jepson Manual of Vascular Plants of CA, and Jepson Online Interchange
- California Native Plant Society (CNPS)
- CNPS Santa Clara Valley Chapter
- CNPS - Rare Plant Program and Ranking System
- Calflora.org
- Nature of a Man (this blog) - Backyard Beauties of 2012
A wonderful collection...thank you so much for sharing these natives...it helps knowing they are hanging on and communicating their unique message.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing these rarities, especially during this rather boring (weather-wise) dry spell we're experiencing in the Eastern Sierra. Great photography too (esp. loved the orchid) -thanks!
ReplyDeleteExcellent collection. I never imagined there were orchids in the Great Basin. As for a favorite, I changed my mind several times as I went through the post, but when I got to Purdy's Fritillary I'm like wow! I'd love to see that one someday.
ReplyDeleteYou have great taste, Ted. The Purdy's was a trip-making species. And they can be found on the serp of Walker Ridge, a special area that likely has Cicindelas, I'd bet.
Deletep.s. you really should submit this to Alex Wild for his "Best of 2013" photography collection.
ReplyDelete