More springtime in northern California

A photo post

(This is a sequel. See the original here.)

Spring’s bursting is ramping up here in Humboldt County, California.

Pacific Mountain Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii). The large “petals” here are actually bracts. The flowers are clustered densely in the center.

Western Hearts Ease (Viola ocellata)

Western Wakerobin (Trillium ovatum)

Lacy Parsnip (Lomatium dasycarpum)

Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea)

Sedge (Carex sp.)

Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) has male and female flowers. Wind distributes pollen from the male inflorescences (dangling, in background) to the red stigmas of the female flowers.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra sp.)

Fruit tree

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a prized culinary herb, but how many people are familiar with her beautiful flowers? Fun fact: Rosemary is in the Mint Family.

A springtime favorite I don’t need to label for anyone.

When thinking about flowering trees, Maple (Acer sp.) probably doesn’t come to mind first for most people, but the inflorescences are incredible.

Maple flowers close up

Modesty (Whipplea modesta)

Orleans Iris (Iris tenax ssp. klamathensis), a rare plant most often found near the Klamath River in northern California. “Orleans” is a nearby town.

Red Larkspur (Delphinium nudicaule), often found on roadsides, as the species is at home at the edges of clearings. (A road is a really long clearing.)

Western Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis)

Broadleaf Stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium). This lover of rocky outcrops can grow on surfaces that are vertical or even slightly over-hanging.

Indian Warrior or Warrior’s Plume (Pedicularis racemosa), one of my very favorite herbal medicines. A muscle relaxant and a nervine.