Our Plants (List)

The lemon lily grows in moist places in scattered locations in the Peninsular Ranges of Southern California and Mexico, with a few populations in Arizona as well. It is one of only two lilies found in the southern half of our state. Like all lilies, it begins life as just…

This hardy lily grows in moist places at mid to high elevations throughout the Sierra Nevada. It emerges from summer dormancy with a basal whorl of blade-like leaves. They can be hard to notice, and may be all the growth for the year until enough energy has been stored in…

This lily is found in southern Oregon and the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada down to Fresno County at mid and high elevations. It favors bright shade under forest canopies or open meadows. It does not grow in or near perennial water. These areas have rather high winter precipitation…

This attractive perennial is native to wet coastal areas in many parts of the state, including the SF Bay area. It has large, dark green, spade-shaped leaves that grow in a loose rosette. Over time it forms a broad patch in optimal growing conditions. Over the leaves rises a dramatic…

Blue flax is one of many California natives that occur in many parts of North America. It is found from Alaska to Baja California, and east to the Mississippi. The species is named for Meriwether Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame who encountered it in his explorations west of the…

The cardinalflower grows in moist places throughout much of the US and Canada. In California it is found at higher elevations in the peninsular ranges from Los Angeles County to San Diego County. The cardinalflower grows as an expanding patch of upright stalks with auriculate (no leaf stem) lance-shaped leaves….

Dunn’s lobelia grows in moist places in Monterey County and from Santa Barbara County south into northern Baja, Mexico. Following winter dormancy, it grows rapidly as a low clump of fine, lance-shaped leaves to about a foot tall or so. The summer lavender flowers are interesting, but require a closer…

California lomatium is one of many members of the carrot family, Apiaceae, native to California. One characteristic that is shared by most of them is the upright umbel of yellow or white flowers. This flower form is favored by butterflies, especially our native swallowtails. California lomatium grows primarily in sloped…