Virtual Wildflower Tour - Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Did you miss the virtual wildflower tour, “3…2…1…Bloom: 24 Hours of Wildflowers,” on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks’ Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages? Every hour, a photo of a different bloom was shared online. Celebrate the season for wildflowers on the Landmarks by checking out these native species below, and read more for information on where to see these spring blooms in person. You can also click on the photos below to open a larger version.

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“3…2…1…Bloom: 24 Hours of Wildflowers”

Catalina mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae)
Hikers enjoying a stroll along Hicks Haul Road in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve can see this native wildflower in bloom from the paved trail about 0.5 miles from the Jeffrey Staging Area. Take advantage of this uncommon but optimal view of these lilies while they’re in bloom during After Work Fitness Hikes on Paved Hicks Haul Road: http://letsgooutsi.de/afterworkHHR

Chaparral sweet pea (Lathyrus vestitus)
This native wildflower has recently been spotted in bloom throughout OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. For a list of upcoming events in Limestone Canyon, go here: http://letsgooutsi.de/limestonecanyon

Purple owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta)
Can you see this wildflower’s resemblance to an owl? Get an up-close view of this native species while volunteering at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm. Volunteers are needed to harvest seeds from spring wildflowers. Learn more here: http://letsgooutsi.de/farmactivities

Sticky monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus)
This native wildflower in bloom is plentiful throughout the City of Irvine’s Bommer Canyon, where designated trails are open daily for self-guided access from dawn to dusk. Learn more here: http://letsgooutside.org/explore/bommer-canyon

Chocolate lily (Fritillaria biflora)
Chocolate lilies, one of the rarer native wildflowers on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, can currently be seen in bloom from the SilMod Loop in OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park. See this elusive native species during Discover Hidden Wildlands: SilMod Loop on Monday, 4/4. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/1pR2hiq

Common fiddleneck (Amsinckia intermedia)
Many trails throughout OC Parks’ Weir Canyon Nature Preserve are currently lined with this native wildflower in bloom. Look for tiny splashes of yellow trailside while getting a workout in at Intro Cardio Fitness: Extended Weir Canyon Rifle Range Loop on Saturday, 4/2. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/1pR44Uq

Arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus)
The whole family can see this native wildflower in bloom throughout Agua Chinon in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve during Family Hike: Agua Chinon on Saturday, 3/26. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/1XAP9sj

California golden violet (Viola pedunculata)
These beautiful native wildflowers are currently in bloom throughout Limestone Meadow in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Slow-paced hikes such as Tales and Characters of the Santa Ana Mountains on Sunday, 4/17, are a great opportunity to keep an eye out for these spring flowers while exploring the trails. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/1UHnuXe

Common deerweed (Acmispon glaber)
This red and yellow native wildflower has been spotted in bloom alongside Hicks Haul Road in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Enjoy a hike along a paved road while looking for this native species during a variety of activities on Hicks Haul Road. See all upcoming activities here: http://letsgooutsi.de/hickshaulroad

Hairy ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus)
This native wildflower is currently in bloom along Baker Meadow in OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park. See this native species while celebrating Earth Day during Celebrate Cultures in Nature: Earth Day on Friday, 4/8. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/259nrIC

Chaparral yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei)
Commonly referred to as “our Lord’s candle,” the chaparral yucca’s flowering stalk can grow 10-15 cm a day. See these tall native plants in bloom near the Augustine Staging Area in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve on programs such as Exploring Limestone Canyon: Fabulous Flowers on Saturday, 4/2. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/1R593tO

Purple nightshade (Solanum xanti) and
Douglas’ nightshade (Solanum douglasii)
Purple nightshade is currently in bloom along the recently opened Mesa Loop Trail in OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park. For a list of upcoming events along the Mesa Loop, click here: http://letsgooutsi.de/mesaloop. The tiny white blooms of Douglas’ nightshade have been seen on SilMod Loop in Black Star Canyon. See if you can spot it during The Flowers and Rare Plants of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks on Saturday, 3/26. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/21Ko9to

Caterpillar phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria)
Enjoy up-close views of caterpillar phacelia while weeding and removing invasive plants to help all native wildflowers thrive in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve during Restore Wildflowers and Wildlife in Limestone Canyon on Monday, 4/11. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/22oUiKB

Morning glory (Calystegia macrostegia)
These blooms are popping up alongside Hicks Haul Road in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Start your day with these native species during Tuesday Morning Fitness Hikes on Paved Hicks Haul Road: http://letsgooutsi.de/morningHHR

Hairy yerba santa (Eriodictyon crassifolium)
This native wildflower is in bloom along Baker Meadow in OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park. Keep your eyes out for its lavender flowers and fuzzy leaves during a relaxing evening stroll during Shhh… Hike, Look and Listen on Wednesday, 4/13. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/1ptlaHs

Palmer’s grappling hook (Harpagonella palmeri)
This native wildflower, which is listed as rare and endangered by the California Native Plant Society, is extremely uncommon to see but a few have been spotted along SilMod Loop in OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park. For a list of upcoming events in Black Star Canyon, go here: http://letsgooutsi.de/blackstaractivities

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
and chia (Salvia columbariae)
The bright orange California poppy and purple chia are abundant at habitat restoration sites in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. See these native species – and help them continue to thrive by weeding – during Adopt a Canyon – Agua Chinon Stewardship on Saturday, 4/9. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/22oUdXt

Bush sunflower (Encelia californica)
This native wildflower is good support for native pollinators such as the Behr’s metalmark butterfly. See plenty of this native wildflower in bloom in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve while helping habitation restoration efforts during Adopt a Grassland – West Loma Stewardship on Tuesday, 4/12. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/259pL2x

California plantain (Plantago erecta)
This native wildflower blends in with its surroundings, but is plentiful throughout OC Parks’ Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park. Look for this species during Birds and Blooms of Baker Canyon on Thursday, 3/24. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/259pHQ7

Wild hyacinth (Dichelostemma capitatum)
Spot this native wildflower in bloom while enjoying self-guided access along trails through the City of Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve. Learn more here: http://letsgooutside.org/explore/buck-gully-reserve/

Parry’s phacelia (Phacelia parryi)
This showy flower hides a dark secret: The fine hairs can cause an allergic reaction for some people. See (but don’t touch!) this native species in bloom in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve during Limestone Ridge Extreme Cardio Hike on Friday, 4/8. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/1XB3V29

Black sage (Salvia mellifera)
This native wildflower is one of the most common to see in bloom throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Keep your eyes and nose out for this aromatic native plant in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve during Blooming Flower Buds on Shoestring Trail on Thursday, 4/7. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/1MfcSgY

Coastal paintbrush (Castilleja affinis)
Red wildflowers are a unique sight in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, and coastal paintbrush has been spotted throughout OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. For a list of upcoming events in Limestone Canyon, go here: http://letsgooutsi.de/limestonecanyon

Wishbone bush (Mirabilis laevis)
This native wildflower gets its name from its branches that repeatedly fork like the wishbone of a chicken, and is currently blooming in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Keep an eye out for this native species during Helping Nature to Keep its Cool on Sunday, 4/10. Learn more and register here: http://letsgooutsi.de/259qLDA