A few of our favorite little gems that pop up under the tall trees
Wildflower season is one of the best times to experiences California’s great outdoors.
If it’s spring, it’s wildflower season.
With all the public health restrictions in place right now, few of us are able to get out and experience the explosive color that typically draw millions to our outdoor spaces in a normal year. But, trust me, even though we’re not out there to see them, the wildflowers are doing their thing as you read this.
As a reminder of what we’re missing, we asked a few of our conservation staff members to name their favorite wildflowers that they encounter in the coast redwood and giant sequoia forests.
Here you go:
Trillium
Trillium comes in many varieties, like this white flower in Redwood National Park. Photo by Max Forster.
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is really more of a shrub or small tree that flowers beautifully among the redwoods, such as here in the Big River-Mendocino Old-growth Redwoods.
Douglas Iris
The Douglas iris is considered common, but that doesn’t make it any less attractive. These were found in Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve. Photo by Jerry Peepers.
Lupine
Lupine is another common flowering plant, and always a joy to see, like here in the Bald Hills of Redwood National Park. Photo by Max Forster.
Leopard Lily
This lovely flower is found often in the coastal mountains of California. This specimen is from Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
Sticky monkey flower
Bees and hummingbirds are also big fans of the sticky monkey flower. Photographer Colleen Proppe found these in Marin.
Alpine Lily
Also known as the Sierra tiger lily, this flower is found at altitudes between roughly 4,000 and 9,000 feet. Photo by Sean Munson.
Snowflower
The snowflower, or snow plant, is an odd sort of thing. It doesn’t produce its own chlorophyll, but instead takes advantage of a fungi that lives off the roots of giant sequoia and other conifers. That’s why you’ll often see them poking up out of the ground under the tall trees.
Spotted Coralroot
The spotted coralroot is actually a native orchid. Photo by M.E. Sanserverino
Wood Strawberry
The wood strawberry has a delightfully simple flower. Photo by Laurel Russwurm.
Stream violet
The stream violet is another simple flower that is terrific to find. Photo by Lynette Elliott.
Mariposa Lily
Another great Sierra wildflower, the mariposa lily is named after the butterfly because it is large and showy. Photo by Judy Gallagher.
About the author
Garrison Frost joined Save the Redwoods League in 2019 as its Director of Communications.
If you are in the Sonoma and Mendocino coast redwood forests, don’t forget to look for the favorite smelly winter bloomer: Scoliopus (Fetid Adder’s Tongue)
4 Responses to “Wildflowers of the redwood forests”
Marcella Crane
So beautiful, hope to visit next year.
Eric Hongisto
Wonderful photos!
If you are in the Sonoma and Mendocino coast redwood forests, don’t forget to look for the favorite smelly winter bloomer:
Scoliopus (Fetid Adder’s Tongue)
Linda Taylor
Just beautiful! Thank you!
Curious if these beautiful flowers survive the “prescribed burns”….
Patricia Davis
The flowers are beautiful and somewhat different from the flowers we see here in the east. Thanks.