California

Calochortus amabilis stands out against a rock and post-burn landscape

Calochortus amabilis

Published by Daniel Mosquin on April 24, 2020

Although species of Calochortus have been featured from time to time (most recently, Calochortus leichtlinii), it’s been an omission to have never shared one of the species with nodding and globular flowers, also known as the fairy-lanterns.

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Flowers and foliage of Wyethia bolanderi

Wyethia bolanderi

Published by Daniel Mosquin on April 8, 2020

Wyethia bolanderi is an uncommon species of chaparral plant communities in central California.

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Quercus lobata growing on Table Mountain

Quercus lobata

Published by Daniel Mosquin on April 2, 2020

For those who wander looking for wildflowers during California’s springtime, I suspect this tree will be immediately familiar. It is the valley oak or roble that grows near the main parking lot to the exceptional North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, photographed seven years ago in early morning light.

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The flowers of Calochortus leichtlinii

Calochortus leichtlinii

Published by Daniel Mosquin on March 16, 2020

Although there are a number of spring bulbs in bloom at the moment locally, today’s photograph features a summer-blooming geophyte. Leichtlin’s mariposa is native to California, Nevada, and Oregon, though it is by far more common in California than elsewhere.

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The draping foliage of Picea breweriana

Picea breweriana

Published by Daniel Mosquin on July 29, 2019

Brewer spruce or weeping spruce is native to the montane and subalpine forests of the Klamath Mountains of southwest Oregon and northwest California.

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An Assortment of Colours of California Wildflowers

California Flower Medley

Published by Daniel Mosquin on February 27, 2019

Here is a memory from 2017’s bloom in the Californian desert within Joshua Tree National Park. I’ve heard this year is also turning out to be an exceptional one.

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Bark and foliage sprays of Calocedrus decurrens

Calocedrus decurrens

Published by Daniel Mosquin on January 16, 2019

Calocedrus decurrens, or incense-cedar, has broad habitat requirements. Within its range from Oregon to Baja California, it is most often found in hot and dry sites with poor soils. However, the tallest individuals typically occur in “sunny, well-watered sites such as riparian areas in canyons or near subalpine lakeshores“.

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