Wildflowers of 2021

Castilleja exserta is a California native plant in the Orobanchaceae family, commonly called Purple Owl’s Clover. This species is hemiparasitic, meaning that part of its nutrients are received directly from other plants. 

Scientific, common name: Castilleja exserta, Purple Owl’s Clover
Location: Honda Valley Park, Santa Barbara
Credit: Lauren Harris

The hills of California glow orange in the springtime thanks to the bright Eschscholzia californica flowers. These plants can be either annuals or perennials, where annual plants tend to be found more inland and the perennials are more coastal. 

Scientific, common name: Eschscholzia californica, California poppy
Location: Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Credit: Lauren Harris

Blue-eyed grass is not a grass at all - it is actually part of Iridaceae, the iris family! Both are monocots, but true grasses are only found in the family Poaceae. 

Scientific, common name: Sisyrinchium bellum, blue-eyed grass
Location: Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 
Credit: Lauren Harris

Hidden in the forest understory are the flowers of Asarum caudatum, the Western wild ginger. Though not the usual species when we think of ginger (Zingiber officinale), this species is notable for its strange flowers which evolved to be pollinated by flies. Once seed has formed, the seeds are then dispersed by ants in a phenomenon called myrmecochory. 

Scientific, common name: Asarum caudatum, Western wild ginger
Location: Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Credit: Lauren Harris