Flowers of California

The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), the state flower.

Wild morning glory (Calystegia macrostegia).

Popcornflower (Plagiobothrys collinus), part of the borage family that includes forget-me-nots.

Wild or charlock mustard (Sinapis arvensis), a highly invasive species in California. It burns well, contributing to more severe fires in the region.

Caterpillar scorpionweed or phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria), fond of rocky and recently-burnt areas.

An aster species of some kind, possibly Lasthenia californica or Encelia californica.

Lupines, (Lupinus spp.); these are likely Gray’s Lupine (left) and Brewer’s Lupine (right).

An unidentified wildflower, possibly winecup clarkia (Clarkia purpurea).

Wishbone bush (Mirabilis laevis), common in the chaparral.

A white variant of Gilia (perhapsGilia capitata ssp. abrotanifolia).

Another variant of a Gilia, perhaps a white variant of Gilia capitata.

I would venture this is some kind of bedstraw (Galium sp.).

Common fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii), which has become an invasive species in Australia.


I would guess this is an example of Chinese Houses (Collinsia tinctoria or Collinsia heterophylla).

Desert chia (Salvia columbariae), though the far right image includes a California poppy with a houseguest.

Wild Canterbury-bells (Phacelia minor), often found in chaparral and recently-burned areas–note the prominent hairs on the stems.

A crustose lichen, though goodness knows the species — perhaps Rhizocarpon geographicum.

An unidentified white-yellow-green wildflower, though it seems to enjoy rocky/sandy soil. Any thoughts?

Whispering bells (Emmenanthe penduliflora); note the large green sepals around the flower.

Another small unidentified flower, a small ground creeper of some kind that looks related to purslane.

Common deerweed or California broom (Acmispon glaber) serves as food for many native species, as well as providing shelter for the endangered Palos Verdes blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis).

A silverpuff (Uropappus lindleyi or kellogii).

My guess is Western Mugwort or White Sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana).

An odd plant, which appears to have an additional unopened flower attached to a developed bud.

Destruction from visitors. If you go out to enjoy the wildflowers in person, please stay on the trails.

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