Fave Flora of 2011

Being a relatively newbie CA naturalist, I still have quite the laundry list of native species yet to see and get to know. Including thousands of species of Cali's prolific plant life.

But, I seem to be on a good pace. My 2011 surveys and explorations allowed me to make the acquaintance of over 400 new-for-me species. A number being true rarities or surprise finds.

Here, in order of seasonal appearance, are 20 favorites.


California Pipe Vine, Aristolochia californica, on San Bruno Mountain


Tuolumne Fawn Lily, Erythronium tuolumnense, along the Stanislaus River


Scarlet Locoweed, Astragalus coccineus, in the Alabama Hills off hwy 395


Charlotte's Phacelia, Phacelia nashiana, near Indian Wells off hwy 395


The previously adored Calico Monkeyflower, Mimulus pictus, from the Tehachapis


Yerba Amarilla, Mentzelia multiflora ssp. longiloba, on the Kelso Dunes


Desert Mariposa, Calochortus kennedyi, in the eastern Mojave


Lilac Sunbonnets, Langloisia setosissima, in the eastern Mojave


Tacky Phacelia, Phacelia viscida, on the Chimineas Ranch


Hoffman's Jewelflower, Streptanthus glandulosus var. hoffmani, in The Cedars


California Lady Slipper Orchids, Cypripedium californicum, in The Cedars


Serpentine Milkweed, Asclepias solanoana, in The Cedars


Limestone Liveforever, Dudleya calcicola, in the Tehachapi Mountains


San Mateo Thornmint, Acanthomintha duttonii, in Edgewood Preserve


California Groundcone, Boschniakia strobilacea, in the Santa Cruz Mountains


Scarlet Fritillary, Fritillaria recurva, in the Tahoe National Forest near the Yuba Pass


Bach's Calicoflower, Downingia bacigalupii, in Sierra Valley


Milkwort Jewelflower, Streptanthus polygaloides, near Mariposa


Fringed Pinesap, Pleuricospora fimbriolata, SFSU Field Campus, near the Yuba Pass


Inyo Green Gentian, Swertia puberulenta, south of Mono Lake

I sure hope we start getting some good rain soon. Else, 2012 might not be nearly as colorful.

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References: 

• Roger's Ramblings - Roger Raiche's posts on The Cedars in Sonoma County
• Friends of Edgewood - Edgewood Nature Preserve
• San Francisco State University - Sierra Nevada Field Campus
• Nature of a Man (this blog) - posts on the Chimineas Ranch
• Nature of a Man (this blog) - In the Lands of the Mono
• Nature of a Man (this blog) - The Importance of Reading Ernest

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