Category Archives: photography|wildflowers

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Mariposa Yellow

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Clubhair mariposa lily (Calochortus clavatus).

There is yellow, and then there is the YELLOW of the mariposa lily, Calochortus clavatus. Remarkable in its brightness and purity, its yellow is one of the most intense and vibrant concentrations of color I have seen in the chaparral.

It is relatively uncommon, and this is one of a few seen along trails in Rocky Peak Park, and the Simi Hills. Of the varieties listed in the Jepson Manual, this appears most similar to the slender mariposa lily (Calochortus clavatus var. gracilis).

The insect emerging from the flower is a small bee — probably a species of Perdita (Andrenidae). These bees were found on several of the mariposa blossoms along the trail. They were usually near the gland near the base of each petal, and partially hidden by the club-like hairs that gives the species its name.

From a run earlier this week in Rocky Peak Park.

Related posts: Mountain Mariposa, Plummer’s Mariposa Lily

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nature, nature|wildflowers, photography, photography|wildflowers, photography|wildlife

Canyon Sunflower

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Canyon sunflower on a north facing section of the Chumash Trail at an elevation of about 2350 ft.

Canyon sunflower (Venegasia carpesioides) tends to grow along cooler sections of chaparral trail. Its rich green leaves and yellow composite flowers are a refreshing sight on a thirsty run.

This canyon sunflower is on a north facing section of the Chumash Trail at an elevation of about 2350 ft. The canyon sunflower population in this area expanded following the 2003 Simi Fire.

On a separate note, it’s that time of year again — at the end of my run this Southern Pacific Rattlesnake was in the street at the Chumash Trailhead on Flanagan Drive in Simi Valley, California.

Related post: Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

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nature, nature|botany, nature|wildflowers, photography, photography|wildflowers

All in Which Family?

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Indian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora) on the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Indian warrior’s varying tones of carmine contrast sharply with its lush green leaves and create a striking combination of colors when seen along a trail. Surprisingly, it is the green of its leaves that is one of its interesting features.

Indian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora) resembles two other wildflowers you might see along a Southern California trail — Indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis) and Owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta). All three are related root parasites that obtain water and nutrients from their host, but also contain chlorophyll and can photosynthesize carbohydrates.

It seems this characteristic would be of value in a climate where seasonal rainfall is highly variable, extending the parasitic plant’s access to water.

Recent genetic analysis has revealed that Pedicularis and Castilleja are related to plants in the Broomrape family (Orobanchaceae), rather than those in the Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae), in which they have been classified. This was a somewhat unexpected result because one of the distinguishing characteristics of Orobanchaceae had been the lack of chlorophyll.

The photograph was taken on the Backbone Trail on the run described in A Long Run Kind of Day.

Technical References:

The Physiology of Plants Under Stress By Erik T. Nilsen, David M. Orcutt

PLANTS THAT LIKE HOSTS By Toni Corelli

Phylogeny of the parasitic plant family Orobanchaceae inferred from phytochrome A[1]

Jonathan R. Bennett and Sarah Mathews

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