flowers

Many yellow flowers bloom among tall grass

Snow-melting cabbage and other surprises

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Behind five alluring coast redwood forest plants are stories of endurance, adaptation, and even superpowers. See if you can spot these remarkable species this spring. Western skunk cabbage Blooming as early as February along streams and wet areas, western skunk …

Snow lies around red flowers will broad, mottled leaves.

8 early blooms herald spring’s approach

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Spring doesn’t start until March 20, but that doesn’t stop the blooms in the coast redwood forests, even in the recent, unusual snow. Look out for these beauties, blooming now and in the coming months. Western trillium Milkmaid Redwood sorrel …

Two bright red snowflowers on the forest floor.

The bloody flesh-like thing

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This strange little thing is called a snowflower or snow plant, and it is found fairly commonly in giant sequoia forests and other coniferous montane areas of California, Oregon, and Nevada. These common names are far friendlier than its scientific name, Sarcodes sanguinea, which translates roughly to “bloody flesh-like thing," in reference to the bright red color of the entire plant.

What’s That Flower?

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After taking a plant identification class a few weeks ago, I’ve become obsessed with identifying everything I see while hiking in the redwood forest. And although I have walked through many forests, I still see plants that are new to …

Calypso orchid. Photo by Justin Rohde, Flickr Creative Commons

Happy Mother’s Day!

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As a mom myself, I love the idea of having a special Mother’s Day tradition that I can do with my family for years to come. And, even better than those lovely Mother’s Day bouquets are the blossoms you find among the redwoods, and spring is the perfect time to see them.