Plumed achenes of curl-leaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) on the Chumash Trail. From Tuesday’s run.
Category Archives: photography|wildflowers
Cheeseboro Canyon Prickly Poppy
Prickly poppy (Argemone munita) in upper Cheeseboro Canyon.
From today’s run of the Cheeseboro Canyon keyhole loop, starting from the Victory trailhead of Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (formerly Ahmanson Ranch).
Here’s a Google Earth image of a GPS trace of the loop, and links to trail maps for Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve and Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyons.
Mariposa Yellow
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
Google search: $g(mariposa lily)
Goldenstar
Goldenstar (Bloomeria crocea) — from a run at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, formerly Ahmanson Ranch.
Hummingbird Sage Simple Symmetry
Hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea) at Sage Ranch Park, near Simi Valley, California. From a run earlier this week.
Google search: $g(symmetry), $g(hummingbird sage)
Canyon Sunflower
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
Google search: $g(canyon sunflower), $g(rattlesnake), $g(Simi Valley)