Our Plants (List)

Yerba mansa is a highly adaptable member of moist plant communities in the southern half of California (about the SF Bay Area south). It grows in an expanding patch of large lance-shaped leaves. The white flowers appear atop long stalks for most of the spring and summer. The flowers are…

The angelica are a small group of plants in the carrot family. In California, they are found predominantly in the northern half of the state. They grow in a variety of habitats as a low clump of compound leaves composed of lance shaped leaflets. Over these a flower stock arises…

Coast angelica is a member of the coastal strand plant community from San Mateo County north into Oregon. It forms a low mound of oval compound leaves. The stout flower stocks rise to about five feet with one to several umbels of round bunches of tiny white flowers. Coast angelica…

Woolly angelica is one of many representatives of the carrot family, Apiaceae. Some other commonly encountered carrot relatives are the yampah and lomatiums. The angelicas grown much like a carrot grows when allowed to complete its lifecycle. From a deep tap root arises multiple compound leaves with many lance-shaped leaflets….

This little sunflower grows in coastal mountains from British Columbia to central California. It also may be found on the lower western slopes of the central Sierras. Starting with a few strap-like basal leaves, woodland madia sends up several stalks of opposite leaves topped with several bright yellow flowers. All…

The sunflower family, asteraceae, is one of the world’s most diverse and widespread. In California alone it represents about 1400 taxa (species, subspecies and varieties). Without knowledge of the ins and outs of plant taxonomy, one would hardly think that the plants in this widely varying group belonged together. Some…

Vanilla grass is found growing in fairly compact, scattered bunches in shady sites in coastal mountains from Washington to California’s central coast. It has fairly wide, stiff upright blades that are sweetly aromatic when disturbed. Vanilla grass will slowly expand over time, but seems to never form a stand, just…

This interesting snapdragon is found primarily in coastal mountains from the SF Bay Area to Orange County. It grows in sunny, open areas in a fountain form, with many upright stalks of small lance-shaped leaves. The leaves are hairy and tacky to the touch. Each stock is topped with several…

Indian hemp is one of the few California native plants with a widespread distribution outside the state. It thrives in every US state, nearly all the provinces of Canada and in northern Mexico. Not surprising, it is also found in every California County. Following winter dormancy, during which the plant…

California’s four columbine species stand out for their intricate, unusual flowers. The flowers are difficult to describe and quite distinct. These rise from a clump of round, somewhat serrated leaves in the spring and early summer. Serpentine columbine is found in coastal mountains from the SF Bay Area to San…