Welcome to the 28th Annual Wildflower Hotline, brought to you by the Theodore Payne

Foundation, a non-profit plant nursery, seed source, book store, and education center dedicated to the preservation of wildflowers and California native plants. As we move into May many wildflowers can still be found in various southern and central California locations, but pick your spot soon because many of these beauties are quickly moving to higher elevations. Beginning in San Diego County, the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is quite colorful with goldfields (Lasthenia californica), Island morning glory (Calystegia macrostegia), Indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis), deerweed (Lotus scoparius), bush sunflower (Encelia californica), rushrose (Helianthemum scoparium), yellow pincushion (Chaenactis glabriuscula), and wide throated yellow monkeyflower (Mimulus brevipes).

Agua Caliente County Park, along S-2 and adjacent to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offers a number of colorful finds including ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), phacelia (Phacelia sp.), brown-eyed primrose (Camissonia claviformis), purple mat (Nama demissum), tackstem (Calycoseris sp.), ghost flower (Mohavea confertiflora), desert lavender (Hyptis emoryi), apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), datura (Datura sp.), and Bigelow’s monkeyflower (Mimulus bigelovii). In Hemet, Diamond Valley Lake still has nice color decorating the hillsides. Along Wildflower Loop Trail, look for brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), deerweed (Lotus scoparius), arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus), Parry’s larkspur (Delphinium parryi), white sage (Salvia apiana), and splendid mariposa lily (Calochortus splendens). For sightings of sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus) and yellow bush penstemon (Keckiella antirrhinoides) take the Lakeview Trail. North of I-10 and southwest of Joshua Tree, the bloom at the Coachella Valley Preserve is changing to reveal white rhatany (Krameria grayi), sweetbush (Bebbia juncea), honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), palo verde (Cercidium floridum (Parkinsonia florida)), indigo bush (Psorothamnus schottii), arrow weed (Pluchea sericea), and cat’s claw acacia (Acacia greggii). The color at Joshua Tree National Park is really a sight to behold. The area around Cottonwood is showing black brush (Coleogyne ramosissima), desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), golden gilia (Linanthus (Leptosiphon) aureus), desert gold poppy (Eschscholzia glyptosperma), prince’s plume (Stanleya pinnata), thick leaved ground cherry (Physalis crassifolia), and star gilia (Gilia stellata). In many of the northern areas of the park enjoy a beautiful display of Fremont indigobush (Psorothamnus fremontii), Bigelow’s coreopsis (Coreopsis bigelovii), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), desert rock pea (Lotus rigidus), Parish’s golden poppy (Eschscholzia parishii), apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), and more.

Heading into the San Bernardino National Forest we take a trip to Lake Silverwood off I-15 and taking HWY 138 which is radiant with goldfields (Lasthenia sp.). Continuing along HWY 173 towards Lake Arrowhead, the area around the Rock Camp Fire Station is brilliant with baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii), Bigelow’s monkeyflower (Mimulus bigelovii), and goldfields.

North of HWY 1 in Newport Beach, the Desert section at the Environmental Nature Center is quite colorful with Indian mallow (Abutilon palmeri), pink fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), chuparosa (Justicia californica), beavertail (Opuntia basilaris) and prickly pear cacti (Opuntia littoralis), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), and desert mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua). Exploring a number of areas here also reveals blooming dudleya (Dudleya spp.) and blue eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum).

The Live Oak and Edna Spalding Trails at the O'Neill Regional and Wilderness Park are still showing lots of beautiful flowers, including blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), Catalina mariposa (Calochortus catalinae), and bush sunflower (Encelia californica), and along Vista Trail enjoy stands of sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus). .

Heading inland to Claremont we visit the absolutely radiant grounds of Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. As you enter the garden California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) welcome you, while incredible specimens of cacti can be seen in the Desert and Dune Gardens, including Mojave mound (Echinocereus triglochidiatus), hedgehog (Echinocereus engelmannii), and beavertail (Opuntia basilaris). To find blooming bush anemone (Carpenteria californica), snowdrop bush (Styrax redivivus, pictured), California lilac (Ceanothus spp. & cultivars), and several different sages (Salvia spp. & cultivars), take

a trip through the Mesa and Cultivar Garden. In the Plant Communities you will discover interesting finds including Stansbury’s antelope bush (Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana), chaparral yucca (Yucca

whipplei), Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), Vasey’s prickly pear (Opuntia Xvaseyi), and cobweb thistle (Cirsium occidentale). Continuing along the foothills of the Angeles National Forest we explore the Eaton Canyon Natural Area in Pasadena, where California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), Mexican elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), and prickly pear cactus (Opuntia littoralis) are starting to bloom. As you explore this park enjoy an abundance of bush sunflower (Encelia californica), black sage (Salvia mellifera), caterpillar phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria), sun cups (Camissonia bistorta), popcorn flower (Cryptantha sp.), and pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea), while taking a hike along Fire Ecology Trail rewards with yerba santa (Eriodictyon crassifolium). If you’re spending a day at Griffith Park, take a trip along Zoo Drive to see clarkia (Clarkia sp.), Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), flannel bush (Fremontodendron sp.), and the glorious Coulter’s matilija poppies (Romneya coulteri). If you’re on the UCLA campus, take a trip to the Mildred E. Mathais Botanical Garden to see greenbark ceanothus (Ceanothus spinosus), hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), Robin monkeyflower (Mimulus ‘Robin’), and many more in bloom.

Snowdrop bush – Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Photo courtesy and © Michael Wall

Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), goldfields (Lasthenia glabrata) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) mingle with lacy phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), sticky monkey flowers (Mimulus aurantiacus), and various species of penstemons (Penstemon spp., pictured) at Descanso Gardens, while open fields still shine with tidy tips (Layia platyglossa) and California poppies (Eschscholzia californica). In Burbank, the Verdugo Mountains offer a number of

trails highlighted with wildflower color. Start your adventure at the Stough Canyon Nature Center to discover bush sunflower (Encelia californica), black sage (Salvia mellifera), and deerweed (Lotus scoparius) throughout

Stough Canyon, or explore Wildwood Canyon’s Vital Link Trail to enjoy blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys spp.), blue head gilia (Gilia capitata), chia (Salvia columbariae), wishbone bush (Mirabilis californica), rattlesnake weed (Chamaesyce albomarginata), and cliff aster (Malacothrix saxatilis). A drive in the LA River Ranger District of the Angeles National Forest is still a delight as morning glory (Calystegia sp.), phacelia (Phacelia spp.), monkeyflower (Mimulus spp.), lupine (Lupinus spp.), chia (Salvia columbariae), and black sage (Salvia mellifera) decorate Big Tujunga Canyon Road, especially around Vogel Flats. For a beautiful display of bush poppies (Dendromecon rigida) take the Angeles Forest Highway towards Clear Creek Camp. The nursery grounds and Wildflower Hill Trail at the Theodore Payne Foundation, in Sun Valley, are resplendent with showy penstemon (Penstemon spectabilis), bush sunflower (Encelia californica), chia (Salvia columbariae), elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata), coral bells (Heuchera spp. & cultivars), sages (Salvia spp. & cultivars), Mexican elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), monkeyflower (Mimulus spp. & cultivars), mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii), woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum), lilac verbena (Verbena lilacina), and many more.

The California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) are still putting on a fabulous show at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve – that is if the recent wind storm didn’t wreck too much havoc. Along the trails in the Reserve you will also see pygmy-leaved lupine (Lupinus bicolor), locoweed (Astragalus sp.), cream cups (Platystemon californicus), silver puffs (Uropappus lindleyi), sun cups (Camissonia sp.), fiddleneck (Amsinckia sp.), blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), and a few white forget-me-nots

Penstemon – Descanso Gardens Photo courtesy and © Brenda Rees

Field of owl’s clover along Lancaster Road (east of Munz Ranch Road) Photo courtesy and © Angelika Kischnick

(Plagiobothrys spp.) and purple owl’s clover (Castilleja sp.). Just outside of the Reserve along HWY 138, 170th Street, and Lancaster Road carpets of poppies and owl’s clover (pictured above) saturate the area - just make sure to check the weather before you go as strong winds and cloud cover tend to force these lovely blooms into hiding. Continuing west along HWY 138 and Gorman Post Road (pictured) towards I-5 is a spectacular drive with hillsides painted a mosaic of purple, orange, cream, and yellow. The Gorman Hills along I-5 are showing more California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), interspersed with California coreopsis (Coreopsis californica), blue head gilia (Gilia capitata), and grape soda lupine (Lupinus excubitus), but it’s possible the recent winds may have lessened this display a bit. At Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area the north grasslands are beginning to show patches of miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor) and California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) at the start of Stipa Trail, and a nice display of grape soda lupine (Lupinus excubitus) is beginning to bloom along Powerline Road mingled with a few blue head gilia (Gilia

capitata), chia (Salvia columbariae), jewel flowers (Caulanthus cooperi), and white tidy tips (Layia glandulosa). Along Wheatfield Trail, more California poppies are blooming every day in addition to grape soda lupine, goldenbush (Ericameria cooperi), and a few cream cups (Platystemon californicus). For a large display of California poppies and grape soda lupine head to Peace Valley Road, between Sewer Line Road and Quail Lake Road (pictured), but keep in mind that this area is behind barbed wire fencing and inaccessible by foot.

Want to take a drive along the coast? If you head south along HWY 101, between Nipomo and Santa Maria your rewards include sightings of lovely of yellow lupine (Lupinus sp.).

Spring is sadly starting to say goodbye to the Carrizo Plain National Monument where many blooms are waning, but if you haven’t made it out here yet there are still a few patches of color

Vistas along Gorman Post Road Photo courtesy and © Richard Dickey

Peace Valley Road – Hungry Valley SVRA Photo courtesy and © Kathy Sanders

hanging on. Soda Lake Road, between Washburn Ranch Administrative site and KCL campground, offers a nice display of California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), lupines (Lupinus sp.), and snake’s head (Malacothrix coulteri). Along Selby Camp Road look for more patches of poppies and a few bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons), and owl’s clover (Castilleja sp.), and just 3 miles north of Traver Ranch enjoy small carpets of thistle sage (Salvia carduacea), goldfields (Lasthenia sp.), and cream cups (Platystemon californicus). The southern end of the California Valley and the Boardwalk are still beautiful with a number of larkspur (Delphinium

spp.). Pinnacles National Monument, accessed by HWY 146 on either the east or west side, is still at peak bloom! For great wildflower viewing, hike along the Juniper Canyon, Condor Gulch, or Balconies Cliffs Trails, or explore the High Peaks Trail starting from the Old Pinnacles Trailhead. Some of the beauties you will encounter here include purple (Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus) and white chick lupines (Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorus), blue (Pholistoma auritum var. auritum) and white fiesta flowers (Pholistoma membranaceum), chia (Salvia columbariae), bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida), woolly Indian paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa), sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), blue witch (Solanum umbelliferum), goldfields (Lasthenia californica), golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum), Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), white plectritis (Plectritis macrocera), and silver puffs (Uropappus lindleyi) to name only those in greatest abundance. For sightings of bitter root (Lewisia rediviva, pictured), Fremont’s monkeyflower (Mimulus fremontii), larkspur (Delphinium sp.), lax snapdragon (Antirrhinum kelloggii), and woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum) take the Rim Trail.

The portion of HWY 180 that enters the Sequoia National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park is scheduled to open this weekend, and the flowers are blooming all the way to Grant Grove - but call ahead to make sure the road is open since the rain and snow have created more rock slides than usual. Along this route the hillsides are radiant with western redbud (Cercis occidentalis), Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla), blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum), and buttercup (Ranunculus sp.), while in the foothills California buckeye (Aesculus californica) is just starting to blossom.

Driving along HWY 198 past Three Rivers and into the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks affords spectacular views of flannel bush (Fremontodendron sp.) and buckeye (Aesculus californica) along with fields of common madia (Madia elegans) and spider lupine (Lupinus benthamii).

Bitter root – Pinnacles National Monument Photo courtesy and © Tammi Skalitzky

Off HWY 395 and west of Lone Pine, Movie Flat Road in Alabama Hills is decorated with Wallace’s woolly daisy (Eriophyllum wallacei), tidy tips (Layia glandulosa), and sand blossoms (Linanthus parryae, pictured). Continuing along HWY 395 (pictured) between Lone Pine and Bishop, look for scale bud (Anisocoma acaulis), Fremont pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii), grape lupine (Lupinus excubitus var. excubitus), apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), Bigelow’s coreopsis (Coreopsis bigelovii), and common phacelia (Phacelia distans). Exploring Bishop around the Volcanic Tablelands area and HWY 168 west rewards with tidy tips, desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), and more scale bud.

The Badwater Basin (pictured) of Death Valley National Park is aglow with yellow flowers, but many of the blooms on the valley floor are now moving to higher ground. Some great areas to explore here include Salsberry Pass, Jubilee Pass, Dante’s View Road, Artists Drive, Beatty Cutoff, Father Crowley Point, and Wildrose Canyon (heading towards the Charcoal Kilns) where sightings of Mojave woodyaster (Xylorhiza tortifolia), Fremont’s monkeyflower (Mimulus fremontii), desert sunflower (Geraea canescens), beavertail cactus (Opuntia basilaris), desert five spot (Eremalche rotundifolia), notch leaved phacelia (Phacelia crenulata), and yellow cups (Camissonia brevipes) are quite enchanting.

Vista along HWY 395 Photo courtesy and © Martin Oliver

Sand blossoms – Alabama Hills Photo courtesy and © Martin Oliver

Badwater Basin – Death Valley National Park Photo courtesy and © Shobini Kaveriappa

That’s it for this week. Look for our next report on Friday, May 7th and remember to stay on designated trails and to protect our precious wildflowers so that they set seed and have a chance at coming back next year. Due to this week’s windy weather, it’s recommended that you call locations to check on weather and bloom conditions before taking off on your trip. If you would like to be a wildflower reporter send your information about wildflower blooms and their location to flowerhotline@theodorepayne.org by Wednesday of each week when blooms of note occur.

NATIVE PLANT & WILDFLOWER EVENTS: Joshua Tree National Park

Wildflower Safari on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2 at 10:00am and 2:00pm.

Meet at the North Entrance Station for directions to a nearby flowering location. Duration: 1 hour, length: 1 mile in washes and off trail. Ranger Programs are free; no reservations required.

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Wildflower Hike on Saturdays, May 8 & June 12 from 8:30am – 11:30am. Learn to

identify native spring bloomers with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists on this moderate, but steep and rocky, 3.5-mile hike. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro Road intersection). Reservations required (hikes fill up fast!): Call 949-923-2235 to RSVP. Parking fee: $3. Donation: $2/person.

Los Padres National Forest

Pozo Wildflower Tour & Family Day on Saturday, May 1 from 9:30am – 12:00pm. Meet at the Pozo Fire Station on Pozo Road, south of SR 58 at 9:00am. Take SR58 East from US101 in Paso Robles and drive a bunch of miles east until you reach Pozo Road. This tour is led by Dr. Charles Blair. Bring comfortable shoes, water, sack lunch, and your Adventure Pass. Call Helen Tarbet at 805-925-9538 ext. 246 or send an email to htarbet@fs.fed.us.

Pine Hill Preserve

The Bureau of Land Management’s Mother Lode Field Office has scheduled five springtime guided field trips to view wildflowers and other features at the Pine Hill Preserve in western El Dorado County. These guided field trips will be held on: Sat., May 15 (Pine Hill) Sat., May 22 (Cameron Park) Sat., June 6 (Salmon Falls) All field trips start at 9:00am. Fieldtrip participants will meet at a designated area and carpool to the site. Participants should bring a lunch or snacks, water, sturdy shoes, hats, sunscreen and insect repellant. All trips are limited to 25 participants. Participants must pre-register with the Pine Hill Preserve. For more information, please contact the

BLM’s Mother Lode Field Office, 5152 Hillsdale Circle, El Dorado Hills, Calif. 95762, or call (916) 941-3101 or (916) 941-3134. For reservations, contact Hinshaw at graciela_hinshaw@ca.blm.gov.

Placerita Canyon Natural Area

Open House on Saturday, May 8 from 10:00am – 3:00pm and at 11:00am join staff on a Wildflower Walk. This open house is a thank you to the community for your support

over the past year. Please enjoy today's special family activities at Placerita Canyon Nature Center and Natural Area.

Tejon Ranch Conservancy

Los Alamos Creek on Saturday, May 1 at 9:00am. This is a moderate 3-mile up-and-

back trail on the Antelope Valley side of the Ranch that gains 400 feet over 1.5 miles. Los Alamos Canyon supports beautiful mixed oak woodlands with stream-side willows, ash, sycamores and cottonwood trees. Good examples of chaparral communities can be seen along the option hike loop at the end of the canyon. Please be prepared to hike with the group! Pre-registration is required for all events. Walk-up registration is not allowed, no exceptions. There is a limit of 30 participants on a first come, first served basis.

California Native Plant Society- Chapters__________________________________

CNPS-San Diego Chapter

Field trips include: o Sat., May 1: 47th Street Canyon from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Field trip led by

Deborah Benson and Paul Hormick. From the 94 Freeway head north on Euclid and in about three miles Euclid bears to the left. We will meet just north of the intersection of Euclid and Home Avenues, just past the City Farmer’s Nursery. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and sunscreen.

o Sat., May 8: Cedar Ridge from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Field trip led by Betsy Cory and Elizabeth Wilkinson. Meet at the end of Pentuckett Ave. From 30th Street in South Park, turn east on Juniper, continue to end and turn south on Pentuckett Ave., continue to end of street. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and sunscreen.

o Sat., May 15: Tecolote Canyon from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Field trip led by Frank

Landis and Deborah Benson. Exit Interstate 5 east at SeaWorld Drive/Tecolote Road; continue past the cul de sac to the Tecolote Nature Center at the end of the parking lot. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and sunscreen.

o Sat., May 22: Torrey Pines Extension from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Field trip led by

Andrienne Heinzelman and Dave Flietner. Exit I-5 west at Del Mar Heights; left on Mar Scenic Drive. Meet at the end of Mar Scenic Dr. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and sunscreen.

CNPS-Orange County Chapter

Field trips include: o Sun., May 2: Plant ID Walk, Azusa River Wilderness Park, Pasadena at 9:30am.

Leaders: Bob Muns, Liana Argento, and Michael Hecht will take you on a slow paced, 3-4 hour walk along El Encanto Trail to identify spring wildflowers. From Interstate 210, exit on Azusa, continue north on Azusa Ave (State Route 39) for 3.5 miles. Turn right

into the parking lot. Bring water, binoculars, lunch, hand lens, (optional $1 for plant list and $1 for hand lens). Rain cancels.

o Sun., June 6: Plant ID Walk, Little Dalton Canyon, Pasadena at 9:00am. Leaders: Bob

Muns, Liana Argento, and Michael Hecht will take you on a slow paced 3-4 hour walk to identify plants and talk about fire ecology in a fire recovered canyon. From Interstate 210 E, exit Lone Hill Ave., go north on S. Lone Hill Ave, east on E. Foothill Blvd, and north on N Valley Center Ave. Take the first left onto E Sierra Madre Ave, then the first right onto Glendora Mountain Road and the third left to the parking area. Bring water, lunch, and hand lens (optional $1 plant list and $1 hand lens.) Rain cancels.

CNPS-Los Angeles/Santa Monica Chapter

Field trips and events include: o Sat., May 15: Caballero Canyon – Chaparral Chatter at 8:30am. With plenty of

spring rain, we will enjoy the continuing emergence of new flowers, bursts of color and excitement as we explore Caballero Canyon in Tarzana. Bring water, hat and a curious open mind to take in the splendor of this gem in our city, a small section of the Santa Monica Mountains. Bring water and snack. To RSVP call 818-345-6749. Duration: 3hrs.

o Sun., May 23: Malibu Bluffs Park – Bluffs Ramble to the Sea at 10:00am.

Explore along the trail to discover native wildflowers and grasses (and the invasion of weeds); enjoy great views of mountains and sea; dip your toes into the bay as we walk along the beach; look for dolphins, whales and sea birds. For more information call 818-782-9346. Duration: 2hrs.

o Sat., June 8: A Talk on Orcutt’s Yellow Pincushion from 7:30pm – 9:00pm. Roy van de Hoek and Marcia Hanscom, co-founders of the Ballona Institute will describe the discovery of an extremely rare coastal dune plant, Orcutt's yellow pincushion (Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana), at the Ballona Lagoon Marine Preserve, which is a part of the Greater Ballona Wetlands Ecosystem. This talk will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 1008 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA.

o Sun., June 27: Solstice Canyon – Canyon Caper at 9:00am. Explore along the

trail to discover the fire-following recovery of native wildflowers and grasses in natural and restoration sites; enjoy a gurgling stream meander under a canopy of alders, and check out the Solstice Creek waterfall. Bring water and snack. For more information call 818-345-6749. Duration: 2hrs.

CNPS-San Gabriel Mountain Chapter

Field trips include: o Sat., May 8: Fire Recovery Hike in the San Gabriel Mountains. Hike led

by Cliff and Gabi McLean and sponsored by the Sierra Club Natural Science Section. Visit an area of the San Gabriel Mountains that was burned in the Station Fire of September, 2009. We will look at resprouting of shrubs and trees, see what fire-following wildflowers show up, and look for the return of wildlife. This is a slow-paced nature hike with naturalists. Bring hand lens, field guides, binoculars and/or camera. Meet at 9:00am at the Sierra Club's La Cañada rideshare meeting point along

the Angeles Crest Highway (Route 2), just north of the 210 Freeway. From there, we will drive a short distance to the trail head.

o Sun., May 9: Eaton Canyon Plant Walk led by Gabi and Cliff McLean. Meet in

front of Eaton Canyon Nature Center at 9:00am. Then go on a leisurely walk, about 2 hours, through the native plant garden that surrounds the Center and into the nearby wild areas.

o Sat., May 15: Car Tour along Glendora Ridge Road for Spring Wildflowers at

4200 ft. at 9:00am. Leader: Bob Muns. This notable gentleman has walked the entire route and recorded each and every plant growing there. Directions: To

get to the meeting place from the 210 Foothill Freeway, take the Grand Ave. exit north to Sierra Madre Blvd. Turn right on Sierra Madre and go east to Glendora Mountain Road, passing an elementary school and Loraine Ave. just before you turn. Turn left on Glendora Mountain Road, and proceed north all the way to the top of the ridge. There you will find a large T-intersection where Glendora Mountain Road meets Glendora Ridge Road, which is where we will gather at 9:00am. If Glendora Mountain Road is closed, alternative routes are up Highway 39, Azusa/San Gabriel Canyon Road to East Fork Road, to Glendora Mountain Road, to Glendora Ridge Road, or west from Mt. Baldy Road. Glendora Ridge Road is 22 miles long.

o Sun., June 13: Eaton Canyon Plant Walk led by Eva Morgan. Meet in front

of Eaton Canyon Nature Center at 9:00am. Then go on a leisurely walk, about 2 hours, through the native plant garden that surrounds the Center and into the nearby wild areas.

CNPS-San Luis Obispo Chapter

Field trips include: o Sun., May 2: MCAS and CNPS Picnic at Santa Margarita Lake. Details about this

day of boating, wildflower hikes and bird watching walks will follow in the May Obispoensis. Lunch is a joint pot luck celebration with lots of good food and plenty of desserts. Admission is free to Santa Margarita Lake for all participants. Families are encouraged to attend. For more information contact Mardi Niles at 805-489-9274 or mlniles@sbcglobal.net

o Sat., May 8: Visit the Holly & Doug Anderson’s Property from 9:30am – 12:30pm. On this spring morning we will visit the Holly and Doug Anderson’s property on the northern slopes of the Santa Lucia Range. We will start at 9:30am at 4849 See Ranch Lane, Templeton and be finished by 12:30pm. Here is an opportunity to visit and walk on a 20-acre parcel on land that has been owned by the Anderson’s for twenty years. This secluded spot with oak and bay laurel woodlands, an open field with wildflowers and a seasonal creek with Salinan bedrock mortars. In May we can expect to see Chinese houses, hedge nettle, checker lilies and fairy lanterns along the ½ mile loop trail that goes into the woodlands and back to the meadow. In making your travel plans try to arrive at the parking area by 9:15am, before walking to the Anderson’s meadow. Coming from the south: take Hwy 101 to Vineyard Drive/Templeton Exit and turn left onto Vineyard Drive. Follow Vineyard to intersection on Hwy 46. Turn left on to Hwy 46 and drive 2 miles west to Jack Creek. Coming from the north: Take Hwy 46 west 2 miles past Vineyard Drive to Jack Creek. From all directions: Turn

right onto Jack Creek and a SHARP LEFT at the mailboxes. Take a right over a bridge and on to a dirt road and continue less the ½ mile to a vineyard gate. Follow the signs for parking and directions to the Anderson’s property. Plan to make your own travel arrangements. For additional information please contact Mardi Niles at 805-489-9274 or email her at: mlniles@sbcglobal.net .

CNPS-Bristlecone Chapter

Field trips and events include: o Sat., May 1: Caliente Creek, Tejon Ranch. Leader: Ellen Cypher. This is a joint

trip with the Creosote Ring Sub-Chapter and Kern County CNPS. This second trip courtesy of the Tejon Ranch Conservancy will visit the Caliente Creek area (800’ – 1,200’ elevation). The date was chosen in order to increase chances of catching the rare Vasek’s Clarkia Clarkia tembloriensis ssp. calientensis in bloom. Bring lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, layers of clothing, and wear sturdy boots. Pets and smoking are not allowed on Tejon Ranch. If you plan to attend, please notify Kathy LaShure (760-377-4541 or desert_encelia@verizon.net) by 5:00pm on Friday, April 30. Those coming from the Indian Wells Valley or points north should meet at the Inyokern Post Office at 7:00am to carpool to the site. If coming from the south or west, just meet at 8:30am at the site entrance. Please be prompt, as the gates must be locked once everyone arrives for the group to start. Directions to the site: we will meet at the intersection of Bena Road and Highway 223 (just south of Highway 58) and then travel to the field site.