Elegant Rock Cress



Thin leaved and sprouting near rocks, rockcress has a deep red flower. It belongs to the Brassicaceae or Mustard family.

Yerba Santa



In full bloom now. Also known as Wild Peach and Grease Weed. This plant will take over disturbed areas.

Carpenteria



Native only to Madera and Fresno counties, the Carpenteria Calfornicus blooms and thrives. I just planted a second one which I hope does as well.

Lone Lovely Lupine



Usually these lupine favor disturbed earth. Therefore what a surprise to see this one staking its claim on a rocky hillside.

In Clover



That would be Red Owl's Clover (Orthocarpus Purpurascens) grouped with Filaree.

Caterpillar Phacelia



Growing against the granite and blending in successfully is the Caterpillar Phacelia (Phacelia Cicutaria). Many plants have lavender flowers, but this creamy shade is also common.

Blue Ceanothus



Also known as mountain lilac, here is a blue cultivar in the yard. Most of the rest of the ceanothus have white blossoms. This one is just coming into full bloom.

Pretty Face



Great to see lots of Pretty Face (Golden Brodiaea) appearing. Latin name is Triteleia Ixioides. With the recent rain, there may be more. The spectacle of the spring wildflowers seems choreographed with intricate precision. Various blooms sprout only to fade and yield to another species of another color. Like a symphony, it builds to a crescendo in late spring.

Whisker Brush



Easy to overlook due to its small size, Whisker Brush (Linanthus Ciliatus) can be seen in the meadow hidden among the grasses.

Five Spot



Five Spots (Nemophila Maculata) are appearing in bunches in the wetter, shadier spots. I love the blue-purple tips.

Cream Cups



Another annual wildflower with a delightful name. Cream Cups (Platystemon Californicus) are rather rare on the ranch, sometimes the blossoms have more yellow.

Gold Fields



These tiny yellow flowers (lasthenia californica) have begun to transform meadows into well, gold fields.

Rosy Fairy Lantern



My favorite for its fanciful name, the Rosy Fairy Lantern is also known as the rose globe lily. There is also a white version I've seen on my neighbor's property. This specimen is a wonderful mauvey deep pink like a raspberry milkshake.

Mountain Clematis



The native version of clematis is in full flower. It blankets its host tree creating a cascade of white visible from far away.

Another Mystery Flower



My neighbor suggested that this might be a penstemon. However, I've made a preliminary identification of broomrape, a parasite that lives off the roots of other plants.

Blossoms Become Berries



As spring screeches to a close, small prickly and edible gooseberries appear. These tiny fuchsia-like blossoms wither at the ends and expand at the base metamorphosing into berries.

Indian Pink

Named for their jagged edges not their color, Indian Pinks (Spigelia Marilandica) are beginning to bloom. Most are found in shady spots under the oaks.

Golden Yarrow



There are several similar yellow flowers in bloom right now. These daisy-like flowers range from small, goldfields, medium-size with blue-gray stems, golden yarrow and large, madia. All of these favor the sun and thrive on the dry hills among the outcroppings.

Blue Dick



Blue Dick (Dichelostemma Capitatum) are on the wane, past their prime blooming period. They are rather plentiful this year concentrated in certain small meadows ranging in color from lavender to deep purple.

Deer Brush



Ceanothus with hundreds of swaying cloud-like blossom clusters.

Glorious Redbud



One of the best things about spring in the Sierra Foothills.

Moss-Like Substance



This wonderful reddish moss grows near the granite outcroppings. With all this dry weather, they're looking a bit desiccated.

A Mystery Flower



Through the internet I have made a preliminary identification of Biscuit Root of the carrot family. This is a small plant I happened upon while walking in mid-March.

Purple Milkweed



Our local variety of milkweed, Purple Milkweed (Ascepias Cordifolia) seems to be eaten by cattle (or deer) before it blooms. This one is insde the fence, so its prospects are somewhat better. Milkweed plays host to the Monarch butterfly.

Common Fiddleneck



Fiddleneck (Amsinckia Menziesii) has a graceful curve and golden orange flowers that make it easy to identify. Sometimes denigrated as a "weed" by those who are less appreciative of wildflowers, I love to see them so close to the house.

Indian Warrior Among the Oaks and Manzanita



Many years Indian Warrior (Pendicularis Densiflora) is our first flower appearing in February. Great to see it here so close to the house.

California Saxifrage



Distinctive red stems earn the alternate name "Indian Rhubarb". Blending in with the grass, I did not notice it the first few years.