California Wildflower hikes, Mitchell & Juniper trails

Golden Bush (Ericameria linearifolia): Native bush averaging 2 feet tall and equally wide.

The Mitchell Canyon trail about a half mile in is mostly open meadows and Oak forests.

Snake Root (Sanicula crassicaulis): A native which likes the shady woods.

Zigzag Larkspur (Delphinium patens): The stems on this native were 1 to 2 feet tall with a several loose flowers on a single stalk.

Mourning Cloak Butterfly

As the canyon walls narrow, the humidity climbs allowing luxuriant moss growth.

Fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia): Hundreds of these were growing in the sunny areas along the Mitchell Canyon Trail.

A friend to most plants, aphids are ladybugs favorite food. They exude a chemical making them distasteful to most predators.

Dove’s Foot Geranium (Geranium molle): Not native. Flower is about 1/4 inch across.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Originally from Europe it blooms off and on all year.

Recent rains and warm temperatures enable Miners Lettuce to carpet the shady landscapes.

American Winter Cress (Barbarea orthoceras): Emerging flowers on this native which likes partial shade.

Hillside Pea (Lathyrus vestitus): California native which really liked to climb on the Poison Oak.

Common Dudleya (Dudleya cymosa): If this native were blooming the flowers would be bright yellow to red.

The Mitchell trail at about a mile from the vistors center.

Douglas Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum): These native mustard relatives were numerous along the Deer Flat Trail.

Poison Sanicle (Sanicula bipinnata): This native is poisonous to livestock but they seldom eat it.

Blue Witch (Solanum umbelliferum): Native bush about 2 ‘ tall and just as wide.

At about two miles, the trail started to head up into the mountains.

Brewer’s Rock Cress (Arabis breweri): Native that lived on the summit trail. Likes volcanic substrates.

Brewer’s Rock Cress (Arabis breweri): Close up.

Golden Bush (Ericameria linearifolia): Native bush averaging 2 feet tall and equally wide.