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The Native Wildflower Thread

West Coast Birder

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I love wildflowers. They are beautiful and more importantly, native wildflowers are essential for healthy ecosystems.

In this thread, please share native wildflowers from your part of our beautiful planet. Please stick to native species, as interlopers are generally not good for the ecosystem. Wherever possible, please provide the name, botanical name, and where the photo was taken. Any further information on the plant is always welcome.

I'll start:

California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum):

A keystone species for desert scrub and chaparral ecosystems of the American Southwest.

Photo taken in the San Gabriel Mountains of the Angeles National Forest, north of Los Angeles, CA.

52205962749_e39e183889_h.jpg


Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM | ƒ/16.0 | 100.0 mm | 1/125 | 3200ISO | Flash (off, did not fire)
 
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Humboldt's Lily (Lilium humboldtii):

Lily species native to California and Baja California. Considered endangered in Southern California.

Photography taken on the Mt. Lukens trail in the Angeles National Forest, north of Los Angeles, CA.

48228683627_4e74c50d28_o.jpg


Canon EOS 7D Mark II | EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | ƒ/5.6 | 278.0 mm | 1/400 | 1600ISO | Flash (off, did not fire)

48228614311_1ee65614cf_o.jpg


Canon EOS 7D Mark II | EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | ƒ/5.6 | 400.0 mm | 1/500 | 1600ISO | Flash (off, did not fire)
 
Silver Lupine (Lupinus albifrons):

Lupine native to California and Oregon. Present in sage scrub, chaparral, and montane ecosystems. Interesting fact: this lupine species is essential for the larvae of the federally endangered mission blue butterfly.

Photographed on the Mt. Lukens Trail, Angeles National Forest, north of Los Angeles, CA.



Canon EOS 7D Mark II | EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | ƒ/5.6 | 135.0 mm | 1/800 | 800ISO | Flash (off, did not fire)

48228614106_830c9294b9_o.jpg


Canon EOS 7D Mark II | EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | ƒ/5.6 | 135.0 mm | 1/5000 | 1600ISO | Flash (off, did not fire)
 
Here's some California Lupine (Lupinus albifrons)
Photo taken in the Coachella Valley a part of the Colorado Desert.

2009:03:16 10:03:05-Exposure Time: 1/200; ISO Speed Ratings: 100; Focal Length: 100mm; Model: Canon EOS 5D; Adobe Photoshop CS3 Windows

i-vCtbJkF-X3.jpg



Ghost Flower (Mohavea confertiflora)
Photo taken in the Coachella Valley part of the Colorado Desert

2009:03:16 10:03:05; Exposure Time: 1/200; ISO: 100; 100mm; Canon EOS 5D; Adobe Photoshop CS3 Windows

i-7KBhpbX-X3.jpg
 
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Miner's lettuce, Claytonia perfoliata, native in mountainous and coastal western North America. Not known for its flowers particularly, but it does bloom. Photos from my yard, 2018. It has since spread exponentially. I need a herd of goats.

miner'slett5.6.22.jpg

One flower stalk

miner'slettA5.6.22.jpg
 
San Gabriel Mountain Dudleya (Dudleya densiflora):

Extremely rare, found only in 3 locations with less than 2000 individuals left. Photographed in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Pasadena, CA.

52205962869_34bbc17281_o.jpg


Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM | ƒ/14.0 | 100.0 mm | 1/100 | 1600 ISO | Flash (off, did not fire)
 
San Gabriel Mountain Dudleya (Dudleya densiflora):

Extremely rare, found only in 3 locations with less than 2000 individuals left. Photographed in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Pasadena, CA.
Are we looking at leaves, mostly? I'm not at all sure that I've spotted flowers there.

Another question, why are these so rare? The area has a history of wildfire; is that relevant?
 
You’re right, the plants are the white ones. Maybe they belong in a thread for native succulents! ;)

The plant had survived for millions of years with wildfires. They are victims of having a restricted range that has been affected by human encroachment primarily for quarrying and off-road recreation.
 
California Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium californicum):

Native to the West Coast of North America. Photographed in the Angeles National Forest, Southern California.

48228683082_c2a1ebeb9b_o.jpg


Canon EOS 7D Mark II | EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | ƒ/5.6 | 321.0 mm | 1/160 | 800 ISO | Flash (off, did not fire

52204687857_7f6de2afd8_o.jpg


Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM | ƒ/16.0 | 100.0 mm | 1/640 | 800 ISO | Flash (off, did not fire)
 
You’re right, the plants are the white ones. Maybe they belong in a thread for native succulents! ;)

The plant had survived for millions of years with wildfires. They are victims of having a restricted range that has been affected by human encroachment primarily for quarrying and off-road recreation.
I should qualify my statement. The chaparral ecosystem has evolved to live with fire with a periodicity of a major fire every few decades. However, invasive weeds like cheatgrass are a huge problem, coupled with perennial drought in the West and climate change. Now, we have major fires every few years instead of every few decades. Plants simply do not have a chance to recover from such trauma and cheatgrass burns readily and prolongs the problem. I’m afraid evolution simply can’t keep up with the rapid changes imposed on these organisms. I fear for the future.
 
I should qualify my statement. The chaparral ecosystem has evolved to live with fire with a periodicity of a major fire every few decades. However, invasive weeds like cheatgrass are a huge problem, coupled with perennial drought in the West and climate change. Now, we have major fires every few years instead of every few decades. Plants simply do not have a chance to recover from such trauma and cheatgrass burns readily and prolongs the problem. I’m afraid evolution simply can’t keep up with the rapid changes imposed on these organisms. I fear for the future.
One bright spot: Preservationists can establish protected areas for plants in trouble. This has happened in other places, such as San Francisco's Presidio.
 
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