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

Next: Introduction

- Cover images: hard cover and soft cover

- Introduction

- The Foothills

- Meadows and Valleys

- The High Country

- Index and Acknowledgements

About the Author

Doug Hubbard (YRL)

For biographies about Douglass Hubbard, see

- John Bingaman, Guardians of the Yosemite (1961), p. 114.

- Allan Shields, (PDF) “Whatever Happend to Doug Hubbard,” Yosemite Association (Spring 2003), pp. 8-11.

Bibliographical Information

Douglass H. Hubbard (Douglass Hopwood Hubbard) (1918-), Wild Flowers of the Sierra (Yosemite: Yosemite Natural History Association: 1958). Special issue of Yosemite Nature Notes, 37:6. 23 pages. 88 color illustrations. 24 cm. Bound in green cloth cover.

Digitized by Dan Anderson, December 2004, from a copy at San Diego State University. These files may be used for any non-commercial purpose, provided this notice is left intact.
—Dan Anderson, www.yosemite.ca.us

Next: Introduction

Introduction

why wild flowers?

CALIFORNIA POPPY
Eschscholtzia californica

California—“the Golden State” was named for the fields of golden poppies which blanket its valleys and foothills in springtime.

Flowers appeal to everyone: the delight of a child in a field of wildflowers will be reflected when the child becomes adult and gazes again upon familiar flowers—the finest examples of Nature’s skill.

But our expanding civilization has drastically changed the face of the earth. Where a colorful blanket of wildflowers once lay, factories and freeways have sterilized the soil forever.

America’s National Parks were set apart by our government to preserve for all time small portions of our country unchanged and unspoiled. In the National Parks all is protected, from the great cliffs to the most minute flower.

In this booklet are but a few of the hundreds of flowering plants of California’s Sierra Nevada range. All color reproduction material in this book has been supplied as a public service by Richfield Oil Corporation and is taken from its annual publication, Wild Flowers of the West.

yosemite nature notes, v37, n6
compiled by douglass hubbard, chief park naturalist,
yosemite national park

wild flowers
of the sierra

in cooperation with the national park service

published by the
yosemite natural history association
yosemite national park
california

The flowers in this booklet are divided into three groups according to where they are most commonly found—foothills, meadows and valleys, and the high country.

the foothills

The foothills of the Sierra are the first to be carpeted with wildflowers of countless varieties. As the foothills turn golden brown, flowers are in bloom in the meadows and valleys higher in the range. By summer’s end the flowers of the high country will be at their prime.

One of the largest groups of flowering plants is the sunflower family. Many California wildflowers
belong to it, including the Gold Fields (Baeria sp.), a common foothill flower.

RED MAIDS
Calandrinia ciliata
In late afternoon these
small (3/4") , bright flowers
open. Common western
wildflower 6" to 2 ft. high.
March-April.

YELLOW-AND-WHITE
MONKEY FLOWER
Mimulus bicolor
Monkey flowers come in
many colors and sizes in
the Sierra. This species is
6 to 10" high, has 1/2"
flowers.

PRICKLY POPPY or CHICALOTE
Argemone platyceras
The Prickly Poppy, well-named for
its thorny exterior, prefers dry areas.
Plants to 3 ft. high with 4" flowers.
April-July.

RABBIT BRUSH
Chrysothamnus nauseosus
A shrub common on the east side of the
Sierra, 1 to 5 ft. tall. Rabbit Brush has
flower heads up to 3" in diameter.

CALIFORNIA BUCKEYE
Aesculus californica
A foothill species 10 to 20 ft. tall with
bright green leaves. The showy flowers
grow in clusters up to 6" long. June.

FIVE SPOT or CALICO FLOWER
Nemophila maculata
The attractive Five Spot is an abundant
flower in foothill meadows. Stems 5 to
10", flowers up to 1" across. April-
August.

FREMONTIA or FLANNEL BUSH
Fremontia californica
The furry underside of the leaves of the
Flannel Bush gave it its name. Flowers
2" on shrubs usually 6 to 10 ft. tall.

CHAPARRAL YUCCA
Yucca whipplei
“The Candle of Our Lord” is the Spanish
name for the Yucca.This member of the Lily
family grows 8 to 14 ft. high. May-June.

BLUE-EYED GRASS
Sisyrinchium bellum
Small (1/2") flowers on stems 10 to 20"
high, Blue-eyed Grass is found in many
parts of the West. March-May.

More than one hundred kinds of Lupine brighten California’s fields.

CHAPARRAL PEA
Pickeringia montana
This spiny, evergreen shrub lends
bright color to the foothills. Flowers
3/4" on plants 3 to 8 ft. high. May-June.

GOLDEN YARROW
Eriophyllum confertiflorum
The flowers of the Golden Yarrow grow in
clusters which average 11/2" in diameter.
Dry area shrub 9 to 24" high. June-July.

WESTERN REDBUD
Cercis occidentalis
The Redbud is an attractive foothill
shrub 8 - 15 ft., with clusters of 1/2"
flowers. It is also called Judas Tree.
(See cover) March-April.

OWL’S CLOVER
Orthocarpus purpurascens
A bright wildflower common in open
fields and hillsides, Owl’s Clover grows
4 to 15" high. April-May.

INDIAN PAINT BRUSH
Castilleia sp.
The Indian Paintbrush is a common
wildflower in many parts of the West.
Sometimes called Castilleia, its Latin
name, it grows 1 to 2 1/2 ft. high.

AMADOR DUDLEYA
Dudleya cymosa
An attractive perennial herb with
flowering stems, this succulent grows
to 12". Usually found in rocky places.
June-July.

MOUNTAIN LILY
Leucocrinum montanum
The beautiful and fragrant flowers of the
Mountain Lily grow in a central cluster
close to the ground.

SYRINGA or MOCK ORANGE
Philadelphus lewisii
The fragrant Syringa, 4 to 11 ft. tall, will
be found in many parts of California.
Shoots were used by Indians for making
arrow shafts.

Many species of flowers including Purple
Owl’s Clover and Popcorn Flowers combine to
make a colorful blanket.

CREAM CUPS
Platystemon californicus
These flowers grow on stems 3 to 12" high
with leaves on lower portion only. In clay or
sandy soils.

BUSH LUPINE
Lupinus sp.
One of the largest lupines, the Bush Lupine,
may grow to 6 ft. high. Common along
foothills of central and southern Sierra.

WYETHIA
Wyethia helenioides
A common perennial along the lower
slopes of the Sierra, the Wyethia has
flowers up to 4" in diameter on stems 1
to 2 ft. high.

meadows and valleys

Half Dome overlooks Yosemite Valley and a field
of Sneezeweed.

Many kinds of wildflowers grow in the middle elevations of the Sierra. In traveling from the San Joaquin Valley to the crest of the range, you will pass through six life zones—the Lower Sonoran, Upper Sonoran, Transition, Canadian, Hudsonian, and Arctic-Alpine. Each zone has plant and animal “indicators" which tell the visitor that he is in that particular climatic belt.

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.

the high country

Some of the most beautiful scenery in the Sierra is at the crest of the range. Here near timberline are species which know only a few short weeks of sunshine. In late summer when the flowers of the foothills and meadows have bloomed and faded, the hanging gardens of the high country bring a touch of color and a saying that there is springtime all summer in the Sierra.

On the east side of the Sierra, Sulphur Flowers and Indian Paint
Brush brighten a promontory. Minarets in distance.

WHITE HEATHER
Cassiope mertensiana
The bell-shaped white flowers of
this beautiful alpine plant grow on
stems up to 12" high. Rocky ridges
and under ledges near timberline.

ELEPHANT’S HEAD
Pedicuiaris groenlandica
The “trunks” of the Elephant’s
Head grow to 1/2" on stems 6 to
14" high. In wet meadows of the
high Sierra, northward to B. C.

MOUNTAIN LAUREL
Kalmia polifolia
This diminutive shrub is 1 to 2 ft.
high with flowers to 3/4" wide.
Found on edges of wet meadows
or swamps, 7,000 to 12,000 ft.

Close to timberline Western Wall Flowers and Whitebark Pines overlook
Gaylor Lakes near Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park.

MOUNTAIN BUTTERCUP
Ranunculus eschscholtzii
A bright perennial with erect stems 4 to 6"
high. Flowers to 3/4" across. Grows in
gravelly streamlets on cool slopes. July-
August.

DOUGLAS PHLOX
Phlox diffusa
Grows in low mat 3 to 10" across. Flowers may be white,
lavender or lilac, terminal on short (3 to 4") branchlets.
On gravelly slopes and summits.

PURPLE ASTER,
MOUNTAIN DAISY
Erigeron salsuginosus
Usually a single flower up to 1 3/4" across on a
stem to 1% ft. high. Over much of the West,
6,200 to 10,000 ft. July-August.

ALPINE COLUMBINE
Aquilegia pubescens
The showy Columbine is one of the most beautiful
of western flowers. Stems 9 to 18" high, flowers
nodding, with slender spurs to 1" long.

ALPINE DANDELION
Hulsea algida
The high country from 11,000 to 14,000 ft.
is the home of the Alpine Dandelion. Stems
2" to 7" high. Leaves and stems sticky,
with soft hairs.

SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL
Potentilla fruticosa
Many branches 1 to 4 ft. high bear flowers
up to 1" across. Grows at or near timberline
8,000 to 12,000 ft., Sierra north to sub-arctic.

FIREWEED
Epilobium angustifolium
Named because it often comes up in
moist burned-over places, Fireweed has
erect stems 2 to 6 ft. high with flowers to
1" across.

BLUE GENTIAN
Gentiana sp.
Several species occur in moist or boggy
places throughout the west.

STEER’S HEAD
Dicentra uniflora
Leafless stems 1 to 3" high with 1 or 2 flowers up
to 5/8" long with tips of outer petals recurved
1/4". Rocky slopes 6,000 to 12,000 ft.

STICK-SEED,
SIERRA FORGET-ME-NOT
Hackelia velutina
Erect, velvety stems 1 to 2 ft. high with flowers
blue or pink about 1/2" across. Name
“Stick-Seed” from prickly fruits. June-July.

index

Aesculus californica 5
Amador Dudleya 8
Aquilegia pubescens 21
Argemone platyceras 5
Aristolochia californica 17
Aspen, Quaking 19
Aster, Purple 21
Aster, Western 18
Azalea, Western 10, 16
Baby Blue Eyes 16
Baeria 4
Bear Clover 17
Bear Grass 11
Bitter Root 12
Blazing Star 18
Bleeding Heart 17
Blue-eyed Grass 6
Buckeye 5
Buttercup 10
Buttercup, Mountain 21
Calandrinia ciliata 4
Calico Flower 5
Calycanthus occidentalis 17
Camass 15
Cassiope mertensiana 20
Castilleia 8, 12, 20
Ceanothus prostratus 12
Cercis occidentalis 7
Chamaebatia foliosa 17
Chaparral Pea 7
Chaparral Yucca 6
Chicalote 5
Chokecherry, Western 19
Chrysothamnus nauseosus 5
Cinquefoil, Shrubby 22
Clarkia 11
Clematis lasiantha 17
Cobra Plant 11
Columbine, Alpine 21
Cornus nuttallii 11
Cream Cups 9
Cypripedium californicum 14
Daisy, Mountain 21
Dandelion, Alpine 22
Darlingtonia californica 11
Dicentra formosa 17
Dicentra uniflora 22
Dogwood, Pacific 11
Douglas Phlox 21
Dudleya cymosa 8
Dutchman’s Pipe 17
Elephant’s Head 20
Epilobium angustifolium 22
Erigeron salsuginosus 21
Eriophyllum confertiflorum 7
Erysimum asperum 14
Eschscholtzia californica 2
Evening Primrose 10
False Solomon’s Seal 19
Five Spot 5
Fireweed 22
Flag, Western Blue 14
Flannel Bush 5
Forget-me-not, Sierra 22
Fremontia californica 5
Fritillaria pudica 17
Gaylor Lakes 21
Golden Yarrow 7
Gold Fields 4
Grass, Bear 11
Grass, Blue-eyed 6
Hackelia velutina 22
Heather, White 20
Hulsea algida 22
Indian Paintbrush 8, 12, 20
Indian Pink 15
Indian Rhubarb 13
Iris missouriensis 14
Kalmia polifolia 20
Lady’s Slipper 14
Languid Lady 19
Layia platyglossa 11
Leopard Lily 11
Leucocrinum montanum 8
Lewisia rediviva 12
Lilium pardalinum 11
Lupine 6, 9
Mahala Mat 12
Mahogany, Mountain 18
Mentzelia laevicaulis 18
Mertensia ciliata 19
Mimulus 12
Mimulus bicolor 4
Mimulus lewisii 13
Minarets 20
Mock Orange 8
Monkey Flower 12
Monkey Flower, Pink 13
Monkey Flower, Yellow and White 4
Mountain Buttercup 21
Mountain Daisy 21
Mountain Laurel 20
Mountain Lily 8
Mountain Misery 17
Mountain Pride 16
Nemophila maculata 5
Nemophila menziesii 16
Oenothera hookeri 10
Orthocarpus purpurascens 7
Owl’s Clover 7, 9
Paintbrush, Indian 8, 12, 20
Pedicularis groenlandica 20
Peltiphyllum peltatum 13
Penstemon newberryi 16
Philadelphus lewisii 8
Phlox diffusa 21
Pickeringia montana 7
Pink, Indian 15
Pipe Stem 17
Pitcher Plant 11
Platystemon californicus 9
Popcorn Flowers 9
Poppy, California 2
Potentilla fruticosa 22
Primrose, Evening 10
Prunus demissa 19
Purple Aster 21
Rabbit Brush 5
Ranunculus 10
Ranunculus eschscholtzii 21
Redbud 7
Red Maids 4
Red Ribbons 11
Rhododendron occidentalis 10, 16
Rhubarb, Indian 13
Rubus parviflorus 15
Sarcodes sanguinia 16
Shrubby Cinquefoil 22
Sierra Forget-me-not 22
Silene californica 15
Sisyrinchium bellam 6
Smilacina amplexicaulis 19
Sneezeweed 10
Snow Plant 16
Solomon’s Seal, False 19
Spice Bush 17
Steer’s Head 22
Stick-Seed 22
Sulphur Flower 20
Syringa 8
Tahoe, Lake 12
Thimbleberry 15
Tidy-Tips 11
Tiger Lily 11
Vernal Fall 16
Viola purpurea 14
Violet, Mountain 14
Virgin’s Bower 17
Wallflower, Western 14, 21
White Heather 20
Wyethia 15
Wyethia helenioides 9
Xerophyllum tenax 11
Yarrow, Golden 7
Yellow Bells 17
Yellow Pine 13
Yosemite Valley 10
Yucca whipplei 6

Without the help of many individuals and organizations this publication would not have been possible. The following photographers gave permission for us to use their excellent illustrations from the Richfield Oil Corporation’s annual Wild Flowers of the West:

Trilochan S. Bakshi, Pullman, Wash. • Violet Beitzel, Howard & Frances Daniels, McMinnville, Ore. • R. J. Fisher, Lancaster, Calif. • Robert C. Frampton, Claremont, Calif. • Everett S. Frost, El Monte, Calif. • Jack Hausotter, Roseburg, Ore. • Mary Hood, Los Angeles, Calif. • Mr. & Mrs. Ellis Kimble, Boise, Ida. • E. N. Kozloff, Portland, Ore. • Martin Litton, Menlo Park, Calif. • W. L. Martin, Bend, Ore. • D. C. Morgenson, Yosemite Natl. Park, Calif. • Peter Neely, Los Angeles, Calif. • Ricky Quedans, Los Angeles, Calif. • G. Thomas Robbins, Oakland, Calif. • Allen L. Ryan, San Fernando, Calif. • Brooking Tatum, Palo Alto, Calif. • Darwin Tiemann, China Lake, Calif. • Harry Vroman, Prescott, Ariz. • V. E. Ward, Angels Camp, Calif. • Charles S. Webber, San Leandro, Calif. Louis C. Wheeler, Altadena, Calif. • Violet Wooden, Fortuna, Calif.

Flower names and illustrations were checked for accuracy by Dr. Carl Sharsmith, Dr. Helen Sharsmith, Dr. Herbert Mason and Mrs. Enid M. Benson. Jepson’s A Manual of the Flowering Plants of California (University of California Press, 1925) was consulted for additional scientific data.

Gratitude is expressed to Hixson And Jorgensen, Inc. and to Stecher-Traung Lithograph Corporation for their interest and willing assistance.

To Mary Curry Tresidder, whose interest and love of Sierran wild flowers has extended over a lifetime, this booklet is dedicated.

http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/wild_flowers_of_the_sierra/