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Wild Flowers of the Sierra (1958) by Douglass H. Hubbard

meadows and valleys

Half Dome overlooks Yosemite Valley and a field of Sneezeweed.

WESTERN AZALEA Rhododendron occidentalis The fragrant Western Azalea grows along stream sides and in moist meadows in many Sierran regions. Shrubs 3 to 10 ft. tall, flowers to 2". May-July.

BUTTERCUP Ranunculus sp. Many kinds of buttercups are found in the West. Their Latin name means “little frog”, since some species grown in marshy places.

EVENING PRIMROSE Oenothera hookeri A showy Sierran flower which bursts rapidly into full bloom early in the evening. Stems 3 to 6 ft., flowers 2 to 4" across. June-September.

BEAR GRASS Xerophyllum tenax This 2 to 6 ft. high plant was important to the Indians. The roots, roasted, were eaten and leaf fibres used in making clothing. May-July.

PACIFIC DOGWOOD Cornus nuttallii Modified leaves of white, usually 6, surround a small crowded head of flowers on this spectacular Sierran plant, which grows 10 to 30 ft. high.

RED RIBBONS Clarkia sp. A colorful annual, Clarkia is found in many parts of California. It was named for Captain Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

TIGER LILY or LEOPARD LILY Lilium pardalinum Wet meadows are the usual home of the beautiful Tiger Lily, which may grow to heights of 7 ft. June-August.

PITCHER PLANT or COBRA PLANT Darlingtonia californica This unique plant can trap and digest small insects. Grows to 18" with 2" flowers. In moist areas. May-July.

TIDY-TIPS Layia platyglossa A bright member of the sunflower family, abundant in many parts of California. Stems 4 to 16" high, flowers to 2". April- May.

BITTER ROOT Lewisia rediviva These beautiful flowers may be red or white. This 3/4" to 2" high plant was named for Captain Lewis of Lewis and Clark. April.

MONKEY FLOWER Mimulus sp. Monkey Flowers are among the most attractive of California wildflowers. Their Latin name, Mimulus, means a comic actor, because the flowers appear to be grinning.

MAHALA MAT or SQUAW MAT Ceanothus prostratus The branches of this plant often root and form a dense mat 2 to 10 ft. wide. In pine woods of the Sierra.

Tahoe, one of the world’s largest high lakes, is shared by California and Nevada. The red Indian Paint Brush (Castilleia) is a common western wildflower.

Ponderosa or yellow pines form a backdrop for the fragrant Western Azaleas (Rhododendron occidentalis). These shrubs, common also along streamsides in the Sierra, bloom during early summer.

PINK MONKEY FLOWER Mimulus lewisii The beautiful Pink Monkey Flowers grow on stems 1 to 2 ft. high in moist places of the Sierra and Cascades.

INDIAN RHUBARB, UMBRELLA PLANT Peltiphyllum peltatum Sturdy plant 1 to 4 ft. tall, frequently growing along streamsides. The fleshy leaf stalks, peeled, were considered a delicacy by Indians. June-July.

WESTERN WALLFLOWER Erysimum asperum Common on rocky hillsides and in mountains in much of California, the Western Wallflower grows 1 to 2 1/2 ft. high. March-April.

LADY’S SLIPPER Cypripedium californicum Beautiful showy orchids on stems 1 to 2 ft. tall, flowers 1 to 6. Grows in many places, Central California to Oregon.

MOUNTAIN VIOLET Viola purpurea Grows from 2 to 6" high on short stems from a sturdy root. Common from Southern California to Modoc County. March-July.

WESTERN BLUE FLAG Iris missouriensis Many moist meadows in the Sierra and the northwest are brightened by these flowers. Height 10 to 24", flowers to 3" long. July.

A forest of giant trees looks down on a meadow of blue Camass and yellow Wyethia.

THIMBLEBERRY Rubus parviflorus Common along streams and open forests, the Thimbleberry grows 3 to 6 ft. high. Flowers to 2" across. Leaves often velvety beneath.

INDIAN PINK Silene californica In open woods of canons. Plants up to 12" high, flowers to 11/4" broad. An abundant genus in the west. May-June.

Vernal Fall in Yosemite National Park was named for the lush vegetation at its base. Western Azaleas blossom in the foreground.

MOUNTAIN PRIDE Penstemon newberryi On rocky ledges, 4,000 to 10,000 ft., both in Sierra and Coast Ranges. Stems 8 to 20" high, flowers to 1 1/8" long. June-July.

BABY BLUE EYES Nemophilia menziesii Found frequently in moist places on valley floors and hillsides. Stems 3 to 18" long, flowers to 1 1/2" wide. April-July.

SNOW PLANT Sarcodes sanguinea One of the most spectacular Sierran plants, the snowplant grows 6 to 15" high. Numerous fleshy flowers on a single stem. June-July.

VIRGIN’S BOWER or PIPE STEM Clematis Iasiantha The profuse flowers of this plant often brighten an entire hillside. Flowers to 2 1/4" in diameter. In both Sierra and Coast Ranges. April-May.

YELLOW BELLS Fritillaria pudica The stems of Yellow Bells are 3 to 9" high, may bear 1 to 3 flowers 3/4" in diameter. April-May.

CALIFORNIA DUTCHMAN’S PIPE Aristolochia californica A deciduous climber, Dutchman’s Pipe may twine 5 to 12 ft. high on other plants. Flowers to 1 1/2" long. March-April.

MOUNTAIN MISERY Chamaebatia foliolosa A common ground cover in the Yellow Pine belt, rarely taller than 2 ft. with 1" flowers. Extremely pungent, also called Bear Clover. May-July.

BLEEDING HEART Dicentra Formosa In shady forests of Sierra and Coast Range; 8 to 18" high, leaves at base of stems. Flowers to 3/4". April-June.

SPICE BUSH Calycanthus occidentalis Often growing in moist places in the Coast Range and Sierra, also called Sweet Shrub from fragrant wood. Height 5 to 9 ft., flowers 3"

Rugged Sierran scenery is framed by Mountain Mahogany.

BLAZING STAR Mentzelia laevicaulis Well-named, Blazing Stars grow on shiny white stems, 2 - 3 1/2 ft. high in dry stream beds. Flowers 3 to 4" broad, in clusters.

WESTERN ASTER Aster sp. Asters are profuse and colorful in many parts of the west. Their star-like flowers make them easy to recognize.

FALSE SOLOMON’S SEAL Smilacina amplexicaulis These shade-loving plants are members of the lily family. Stems leafy, 1 to 3 ft. high. Undersides of leaves usually rough with short hairs.

LANGUID LADY or MERTENSIA Mertensia ciliata Tube-like flowers are about 1/4" long on stems 2 to 5 ft. high. In mountains 5,000 to 8,500 ft. June-August.

WESTERN CHOKECHERRY Prunus demissa Usually grows as a deciduous shrub 2 to 10 ft. high. Flowers 1/2" across in clusters 2 to 4" long. In Coast Range and Sierra.

Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides) prefer moist areas as do many wildflowers such as Shooting Stars.

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