This gallery contains 6 photos.
While visiting the John Muir National Historic Site (Martinez CA) I was captivated by specimens of Santa Cruz Island buckwheat (Eriogonum arborescens). This shrub has an interesting form and was unlike most of the buckwheat species common in Northeastern California … Continue reading
This gallery contains 8 photos.
Mule fat has two phenological forms. (Phenological refers to periodic biological phenomenon that are related to climatic conditions.) In the summer this native shrub has terminal inflorescences and the leaves are more likely to be toothed. In spring and fall … Continue reading
This gallery contains 8 photos.
Huckleberry oaks (Quercus vacciniifolia) are prostrate to low shrubs. They can be spreading or erect, growing up to 5 feet in height. These evergreen shrubs grow on cliffs, ridges, rocky slopes and shallow soils, including serpentine soils, in montane and … Continue reading
This gallery contains 9 photos.
The genus Rhododendron contains over 800 tree and shrub species worldwide. Of these, 21 are native to North America and 2 are native to California. In my last post, “Western Azalea” on 09-28-18, I discussed a Rhododendron native to California. … Continue reading
This gallery contains 8 photos.
Western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale) is an erect, multi-stemmed, loosely branched shrub that grows up to 10 feet in height. A native member of the Heath Family, western azalea grows in the moist coniferous forests of California and Oregon up to … Continue reading
This gallery contains 8 photos.
Kalmia polifolia has many common names: bog laurel, swamp laurel, bog kalmia, mountain laurel and alpine laurel, among others. I always called this native shrub (also often listed as a wildflower) bog laurel and will continue to do so. Additionally, … Continue reading
This gallery contains 7 photos.
Cal Flora lists 83 Ceanothus species and subspecies in California. Many members of this genus are so difficult to separate from each other that I often do not even attempt to do so. Blue blossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus) is one that … Continue reading
