Aquilegia formosa

One of my favorites, but not quite rare, Aquilegia formosa, the Western Columbine. I have found smaller delicate ones locally, and tall vigorous ones in Medocino National Forrest.

Aquilegia formosa, Grizzly Peak, 4/24/10

Calochortus umbellatus

The Oakland Mariposa lily, Calochortus umbellatus, is rare but can be found in Marin on Ring Mountain as well as the Oakland hills in spring. In the same family as the Globe Lilies.

Calochortus umbellatus, Redwood Park, 4/24/10

Stylomecon heterophylla

The Wind Poppy, Stylomecon heterophylla, is native to California and the only species in its genus. It is uncommon, but shows up abundantly in spring ( this one in May ) on Mt Diablo.

Stylomecon heterophylla, Mt Diablo, 5/22/10

Local Jewel Flower Species

Strepanthus niger, Henry Coe, 5/3/10

The local jewel flowers are quite small, but very beautiful little flowers, and are pretty rare. They favor south west facing serpentine outcrops on the peaks around the bay area, and are often found with other small white flowers (that I have not identified yet) with the same habits. Each peak seems to have its own version of Strepanthus.

Henry Coe has a serpentine outcrop that I went to investigate this spring. I sat cross-legged amidst some small flowers on the out crop, and this guy was right at my feet. Note how the flowers are smooth.

Strepanthus niger, Henry Coe, 5/3/10

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A couple weeks later on Mt Diablo, I came across this version. It is quite furry and was growing in something other than serpentine, but with the same characteristics.

Strepanthus hispidus, Mt Diablo, 5/22/10

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This one was on Mt Tam, not quite as hairy as the one from Henry Coe, but in the same habitat coincident with the same white flowers. The coincident plant is much easier to see, so if looking for jewel flowers on serpentine, look for it first.

Streptanthus glandulosus ssp. pulchellus, Mt Tam, 5/31/10

Orobanche fasciculata

Orobanche fasciculata, the Clustered Broomrape. It is a parasitic plant, no leaves or chlorophyll. This one was on Mt Diablo in May.

Orobanche fasciculata, 5/22/10

Globe Lilies

Henry Coe state park is teeming with native flowers in the spring. I will have more about from Henry Coe from this spring later. This is Calochortus albus, a White Globe Lilly, found at Henry Coe state park.

Calochortus albus, 5/3/10

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A couple of weeks later on I encountered this one, Calochortus pulchellus, the Mt Diablo Fairy Lantern. It only grows on Mt Diablo.

Calochortus pulchellus, 5/22/10

Unidentified Fungal Object

I don't know what this is... some kind of club fungi?

UPDATE: Mystery solved: Gomphus floccosus - it is not a club at all but very early Scaley Chanterelle