This wildflower is so rare and precious that the location is kept secret - even from me! I do know it is growing on private property in northern Sonoma County. But we are lucky that Massomeh Roberts photographed it so we can enjoy looking at it here.
Last year Craig Tooley photographed the group of these Trilliums a little earlier in their development, showing the younger white blossoms.
Thanks to Craig and Massomeh for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
On a walk along the Gualala River last Saturday with friends, we can across a rare wildflower blooming in the forest. It is the Fringed Corn Lily, Veratrum fimbriatum. It is only found in Sonoma and Mendocino counties so it is a treat to see. You will see in the photo that the lovely flower attracted a lot of interest from photographer Nan Brichetto and Karen Tracy!
The leaves are quite handsome but are long gone in the autumn. Here's a link to see what the leaves looked like in spring. http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/04/08/fringed-corn-lily-leaves-a-rare-mendonoma-plant/
We had a lot of rain from yesterday's storm, three inches recorded at our house. I don't think it will be long before the Gualala River opens to the Pacific Ocean. Stay tuned!
An oh-so-lovely blue wildflower was recently photographed by Craig Tooley. Its name is Gentiana affinis var. ovata. Due to its rarity, Craig is keeping the exact location secret. But I can safely say it was photographed on the Sonoma Coast. It is a California native; a perennial herb. I thank Craig for allowing me to show it to you, in all its glory, here!
To see more of Craig's work, here's a link to his web site:http://web.me.com/theruffians1
Ten Mile Dunes is found north of Fort Bragg. On a recent visit Peter Baye photographed four rare wildflowers. I've already shared two of them with you. Here are the other two.
Mendocino Coast Indian Paintbrush - Castilleja mendocinensis - is a perennial herb that only is found in California and Oregon. It is endangered and needs protection from non-native plants. Look how lovely it is.
Round-headed Chinese Houses is the common name for Collinsia corymbosa - an annual herb that is only found on the coastline of Northern California. It too is listed as endangered. These wildflowers are truly special. Thanks to Peter Baye for allowing me to share them here!
Peter Baye, camera in hand, went exploring at Ten Mile Dunes, which is north of Fort Bragg. On the dunes Peter found some rare wildflowers, the first one being Howell's Spineflower, Chorizanthe howellii. It's an annual herb that is native and endemic to California. In fact, Cal-Flora only shows this flower in Mendocino County. It is listed as threatened by the State of California and listed as endangered by the federal government.
Another rare wildflower found was Menzies' Wallflower, Erysimum menziesii. It's a perennial herb and another endangered California native.
I have two more to show you but they will have to wait for another day! Thanks to Peter for allowing me to show you these beauties.