Desert Wildflowers Southern California

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Wildflower and Plant Descriptions with Photos

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May 11, 2012 Antelope Valley Poppies Reserve reports: This year just isn't a good one for wildflowers. We had very dry winter with few plants germinating, and the few that appeared after our late rainstorms won't make it long now that summer has hit. There are a few spread out along the south Poppy Loop trail, and there are a couple healthy patches of poppies along the upper Antelope Vista Butte Trail loop, and a few other wildflowers are here and there along the trails such as fiddleneck, filaree, grape soda lupine and others. The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center will be open the weekend of May 12-13, and then will be closed for the rest of the year.

May 9, 2012 Ray reports: Went to the Antelope Valley over the weekend (May 5th). A rather pitiful display this year. Conditions were just not right. However, We noticed some spectacular displays to the northwest at the base of the Tehachapi Mountains. We drove north up 300th St. W. only to be confronted by a locked gate. Then zig-zagged back and up 290 St. W. to another locked gate. Near the locked gate on 290th St. we took the following photo of a great California Poppy field. This was my first attempt at taking a panorama shot using my new Canon 50D digital SLR. The weather in this area was just wonderful with only a warm breeze. Too bad people are locking all of the gates in the area. We saw more intense fields we could not reach. We were hoping to be able to drive up more into the mountains and see some of the lupin etc.

Note: The areas Ray reports on (May 9th), at 300th and 290th St west at the gates on the north side of the Antelope Valley, are Tejon Ranch property, part of the 270,000 acre ranch closed to the public except when open for guided walks which are posted at Tejon Ranch Consrvvancy website www.tejonconservancy.org
Spencer

May 8, 2012 Jimbo reports: If you live Southern Orange County, Limestone-Whiting Wilderness Park might be worth a visit. Right now, there are actually a few wildflowers in bloom. Not in any staggering numbers. It's more of a wildflower scavenger hunt. You'd better be a hiker though. It's about a mile and a half from the parking area to where the wildflowers are. Take the Borrego Trail for about a mile. Then, the Red Rock Trail to the trail's end. Check-out the park's website for details (http://www.ocparks.com/whitingranch/).

May 3, 2012 Peter reports: Antelope valley april 30th Just south west of the preserve about 5minutes.. It got quite windy but the sun compensated and made it a pleasant day...... Other than this area, I saw no flowers in all the usual places.....

Apr 29, 2012 Ted reports: We took a roadtrip up to Figueroa Mountain 4/28/12 picture below.

Apr 27, 2012 Morgon reports: We went out to the Carrizo Plain on 4/23 and day hiked in the vicinity of the KCL campground. While there are no fields of flowers, isolated patches of wildflowers can be found if you look closely. The Caliente side of the valley is still green with tall grasses while the Temblor range is brown. Photos taken with a Canon S95.

Apr 27, 2012 Theodore Payne Foundation reports: California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are spectacular throughout the Figueroa mountains along Figueroa Mountain Road, while other wildflowers are declining.

Apr 27, 2012 Antelope Valley Poppies Reserve reports: The poppies are scant, but the ones we do have look really good on warm days (check the weather before you come out; poppies curl up when it's cold). A few other wildflowers are here and there along the trails such as fiddleneck, slender-keeled fruit, goldfields, filaree, grape soda lupine and others

Apr 21, 2012 Daniela & Luigi, from Italy Report: Antelope Valley Poppies Reserve. Pictures of poppies taken yesterday, April 19, 2012, in the Antelope Valley just outside of the Poppy Preserve. Few miles southwest of the Reserve there is an abundant flowering. Poppies in the pictures appear lying down due to the action of a strong wind.

Apr 18, 2012 Antelope Valley Poppies Reserve reports: This year just isn't a good one for wildflowers. We had very dry winter with few plants germinating, and more have not appeared despite the recent series of rainstorms. The hills are mostly green with a few scattered poppies around, and a few other wildflowers here and there along the trails such as fiddleneck, slender-keeled fruit, goldfields, filaree, grape soda lupine and others.

Apr 13, 2012 Son reports: Antelope Valley Poppies Reserve. We didn't see any flowers in the Reserve from the road. But the hill across the reserve has a lot of flowers. Not like other good year, but worth a trip. We've driven around Antelope valley and seen a lot of patches around the area, but nothing made you go "wow"

Gorman area: part of Gorman hills has some flowers but nothing great.

Apr 13, 2012 Brent reports: We took a roadtrip up to Figueroa Mountain going up Highway 101 North bound getting off on exit/Route 154 towards Los Olivos. Upon getting to Los Olivos, you make a left on Figueroa Mountain Road and follow it all the way up. You will find mustard seed fields, a lonely cherry blossom tree (in bloom) along a stretch of the road, and all the way up to the Park Ranger Station and beyond where you will come across some nice fields of poppys and lupines. It was an amazing road to travel on and see the views of the mountains as well as to capture the beautiful oaks trees and wildflowers. Pictures were taken with a Canon Mark II 5D Photo taken on 4/8

Apr 12, 2012 Mary reports: Southern California, along Highway 177 taken on April 6-9, 2012 There are a number of desert lilies blooming along Highway 177 in the area around the Desert Lily Reserve that is just south of Joshua Tree National Park. This photo was taken across the highway from the Desert Lily Reserve.

Apr 5, 2012 Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR reports: It's been a dry winter so far so not a lot of poppy plants have germinated, but recent rains may encourage a moderate but late season. The hills are currently only tinged green but very few grasses are growing this year, so the poppies that are there are more visible. A handful of fiddleneck, slender-keeled fruit, silver puffs, goldfields, filaree, Mojave suncups, and forget-me-nots are starting to bloom here and there. Grape soda lupines are putting on a nice show, but have already gone to seed on south-facing slopes.

The best route at this time is going up the Tehachapi Vista Point trail and back along the South Poppy Loop Trail. Just over the crest at the top, a nice patch of poppies can be seen on the south-facing slope. Coming back on the South Poppy Loop trail, there are more poppies but they're spread around.

Another good spot to see is Kitanemuk Vista Point, where a lovely patch of purple Lacy Phacelia can be seen.

Apr 4, 2012 Morgan reports: Over the weekend I made the trip up Happy Canyon road out to Nira. There was a fair amount of Indian paintbrush, CA poppies and a nice patch of Bush Lupine on the slope at the top of the road on the way to Cachuma Saddle but not much going on past there.

Yesterday I went by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, it's worth a visit. A nice variety of plants are blooming: sages, poppies, iris and blue-eyed grass are flowering everywhere in the meadow area. On Mission Canyon road just past the Tunnel road intersection on the way up to the garden there is also a nice display of native wild flowers. Photos from Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, taken with a Canon S95.

Apr 4, 2012 John reports: Grimes Canyon in Moorpark For those who can appreciate tiny wildflowers, there is a little bit of bloom halfway down Grimes Canyon in Moopark of at least 5 different kind of wildflower, most of which are under 3/4th of an inch. Since the area where they exist is small and north-facing, the best time to go would be after 11am, but before 4pm to get full light on them.

Apr 2, 2012 Rina reports: I spotted a beautiful large display of poppies west of the Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve area. If you continue driving west on Lancaster Road past the Poppy Preserve, you will be rewarded with a beautiful sight where 245th Street West and Avenue D meet. (Lancaster Road becomes 245th Street West. Just keep driving west).

Mar 28, 2012 Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR reports: Recent rains seem to be encouraging new plants and we may end up with a moderate season. The hills are currently only tinged green but very few grasses are growing this year, so the poppies that are there are more visible. A handful of fiddleneck, slender-keeled fruit, silver puffs, goldfields, filaree, Mojave suncups, and forget-me-nots are starting to bloom here and there. Grape soda lupines are putting on a nice show, but some are already going to seed.

Mar 28, 2012 Carrizo Plain National Monument reports: We did receive some rain over the last week, however due to low rainfall this year, we are not expecting a nice bloom this year. There are no fields of wildflowers on the Monument; there are a few wildflowers but they are very sparse so far.

Mar 23, 2012 BLM reports: The beautiful desert lily is blooming now in the California Desert near Desert Center in Riverside County. BLM administers the popular Desert Lily Sanctuary, officially designated by Congress in 1994 as part of the California Desert Protection Act The Sanctuary is located on State Highway 177, just 7 miles northeast of Desert Center. The best time to visit the Desert Lily Sanctuary is February through April.

Mar 23, 2012 Jeff reports: On Wednesday March 21, I was on my way to see the sky art sculptures and drove by Warner Springs Airport ( 31930 California 79, Warner Springs, CA). I was surprised by the carpet of little yellow flowers on the roadside.

Mar 22, 2012 Carrizo Plain National Monument reports: No wildflowers yet. Due to low rainfall on the Monument, we are not expecting a nice bloom this year.

Mar 20, 2012 Paul reports: Took these on March 20 2012 just off of hwy 79 between Lake Henshaw and Warner Springs, Ca.

Mar 20, 2012 Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR reports: The storms over the weekend brought an inch of rain, so our season may improve but it won't be clear for a couple weeks. It's not too late for a "March Miracle", where late season rains save an otherwise bad season.

Mar 12, 2012 Barbara reports: Mecca Hills Painted Canyon very nice display of Lupine, Camissonia – Evening Primrose, Mohavea - ghost flowers, Mimulus Bigelow, Spanish Needles, poppies, Rock Daisy, Broad-leaf Gilia, Smoke Tree, Datura discolor, Whispering Bells, Buckwheat, Hyptis emoryi - Desert Lavender, Justicia californica – Chuparosa, Nicotina - Desert Tobacco, Phacelia, Globemallow and lots more. Also Ocotillo and some cactus is starting to bloom on the ridges.

Mar 11, 2012 Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR reports: It's been a dry winter so far, and not a lot of poppy plants have germinated.The hills are currently tinged green with the beginnings of grasses, and a handfull of fiddleneck, slender-keeled fruit, silver puffs, goldfields, filaree, Mojave suncups, forget-me-nots, and grape soda lupine are starting to bloom here and there. Small patches of poppies are starting to bloom. Feild report by Mary Wilson below

As you are driving the road into the park, look to the west just as you approach the kiosk and there is a small field of poppies in bloom.

Perennial Poppies are marked with survey flags (pink & orange) on the north and south side of the sidewalk going up to the Visitor Center. These plants have quite a few flower buds and they are starting to bloom.

Antelope Butte Trail to Antelope Butte Vista Point
• This trail was damaged in the 2011 Fire. Vegetation around the burn in this section has filaree and grasses coming up. There are some poppy plants. Other vegetation includes rubber rabbitbrush, Turkey mullein, Desert straw, California aster, cheat grass, bunch grasses, red-stemmed buckwheat, coyote melon, California buckwheat, beavertail cactus. I observed some of the rubber rabbitbrush and California aster getting new growth at the base of the burned plants.

Antelope Trail North Loop
• Tumbleweeds have been cleared from the trail. Grasses (cheat, Mediterranean and bunch grasses), filaree, fiddleneck and a sparse amount of poppies in bloom. As you get close to the junction of the Lightning Bolt Trail there are a few poppies.

Antelope Trail South Loop
• Grasses, filaree, fiddleneck, and a sparse amount of poppies in bloom.

Lightning Bolt Trail
• A few poppies in bloom, lupine in bloom mostly on the west and north side of the trail, and bunch grasses have new blades coming up from previous years growth. When you reach the final bend of the trail before Kitanemuk Vista Point there is a nice showing of lacy phacelia, fiddleneck and a few poppies in bloom.

Poppy Trail North Loop
• Found sun cups blooming in the middle of the trail. Filaree is in bloom and starting to form their stark bill seedpods. Goldfields, fiddleneck, silver puffs, a sparse amount of poppies, slender keel fruit, and wild parsley are in bloom.

Poppy Trail South Loop
• Plants in bloom are filaree, goldfields, slender keel fruit, silver puffs and some poppies.

Tehachapi Vista Point Trail
• Filaree is in bloom and starting to produce seedpods. Fiddleneck has small plants with blooms on them. The cheat grasses are producing seeds. Found goldfields blooming along with slender keel fruit and silver puffs. The Grape Soda Lupine is in bloom. There are poppies that are starting to flower.

Valley Vista Point
• Mustard, grasses (cheat and small Mediterranean), California Asters are getting new leaf growth at the base of the plant and filaree, fiddleneck and a sparse amount of poppies are in bloom.

OBSERVATIONS:
• There are still a lot of immature poppy plants that do not have their first buds as yet. There are also poppy plants that are just starting their first buds. Rain would certainly help this years flower display.
• Darkling beetles are out and spotted a couple of painted lady butterflies.
• Meadow Larks, Horned Larks, sparrows and ravens.

Mar 8, 2012 Carrizo Plain National Monument reports: No wildflowers yet. Due to low rainfall on the Monument, we are not expecting a nice bloom this year. Stay tuned for updates.

Mar 5, 2012 John reports: Went up to Figueroa Mountain today, as well as the Santa Ynez Valley. Top of Figueroa Mountain had virtually no wildflowers. The hillside which was carpeted by poppies & lupine 2 years ago barely has grass covering it. Before the road turns to dirt, there were some lupine & poppies on the side of the road, but just enough to use a macro or a telephoto lens on. There was one patch of only lupine about 100 feet up the hillside about 500 yards before the road turned to dirt which was worth hiking up to.

Mar 2, 2012 Sandi reports: Santa Monica Mountains are starting to bloom! In Topanga Canyon SP, the Parker Mesa Overlook trail is roughly 6 miles from Trippet Ranch and it's starting to bloom. Some of the lovelies I saw today from the trail were; Sticky Monkey Flower, Chia, Prickly Phlox, Purple Nightshade, Stinging Lupine, Greenbark Ceanothus, Popcorn Flower, Blue Larkspur (only one and not easy to spot), Wishbone Bush, Wooly Blue-curls, Periwinkle, Windmill Pink, Chaparral Pea, and all kinds of pollinators!

Mar 2, 2012 DUSA reports: Carrizo Plain National Monument - No wildflowers yet (low rainfall this year).

Feb 26, 2012 Son reports: On Saturday, we drove by Gorman and Grapevine area. There is nothing this year, not even grass. All the hills are brownish like in the middle of summer.

Feb 22, 2012 Morgan reports: The Jesusita trail post fire area is recovering nicely despite the of lack significant rain this season. A few hundred feet from the trailhead there is a lush understory of Canyon Sunflower that is starting to bloom along with Purple Nightshade. Along the trail there is a variety of other flowering natives such as Monkey Flower and Mariposa Lily, while higher up the canyon the Ceanothus is starting to bloom. Santa Barbara County, Jesusita trail, Saturday February 18, 2012. Photos taken with a Canon S95.

Feb 21, 2012 Don reports: Currently blooming: California Buckwheat and California Encelia or Bush Sunflower These photographs were created on 2/21/2012 at the Panorama Nature Preserve, Orange County, Fullerton, California.
The easiest access is from the Summit House at State College Boulevard just north of Bastanchury Road on a one mile trail each way. Panorama Nature Preserve Information and access: http://www.hike-oc.com/panorama_nature_preserve.html

"California Buckwheat"
Eriogonum fasciculatum
Panorama Nature Preserve, Fullerton California 12-2-21-21