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Good year for Turkey Mullein, too!
Turkey Mullein, Dove Weed
Dry Creek
September 30, 2010
Turkey Mullein, Dove Weed
Dry Creek
September 30, 2010
Toxic to animals, crushed plants were used by the natives to stupify fish. Dark, round seeds attract dove, quail and other birds.
September 7, 2010
Greasy Creek
Showy Milkweed with seed pods
Greasy Creek
August 5, 2010
Showy Milkweed with seed pods
Greasy Creek
August 5, 2010
I went back to Greasy today to see how the cows are getting along, some due to calve in 30 days. They looked great, but in that process I became intrigued with these Milkweed seed pods. The genus Aclepias, named for Aclepius, the Greek god of healing, comes from the many folk-medicinal uses of the plant’s milky substance, reportedly employed to clot small wounds and remove warts. Be careful, however, some species are toxic. Containing cardiac glycoside poisons, natives in the Southern Hemisphere used part of the plant on their spears and arrows.
I will try to photograph an open seed pod later on to show their fine seed filaments that have been utilized as insulation to replace goose down and kapok, and grown commercially as a hypoallergenic filling for pillows. The nectar was used by natives as a sweetener. The plant is also the sole source of food for the monarch butterfly larvae.
Narrow-Leaf Milkweed with Tarantula Hawk
Greasy Creek
August 5, 2010
Western Morning Glory
Greasy Creek
July 14, 2010
I found quite a patch in the horse lot below Sulphur Spring, near where Earl McKee's folks had a cabin. He burnt it down years ago when his good stud found some squirrel poison that he had stored inside. Just Mornining Glory, now.
Centaury - Zeltnera exalta - long-stemmed
Dry Creek
June 29, 2010
Centaury - Zeltnera exalta - long-stemmed
Dry Creek
June 29, 2010
It seems that I've been driving by this clump of centaury along the driveway for weeks, too busy to photograph. At the tail-end of its bloom, these are anemic examples of what they were at the beginning of June, blooming a week or two behind the larger and more flamboyant venusta. These flowers are about 3/8ths of inch in diameter and are liable to go unseen in the taller dry grasses. The late spring rains seem to have brought large populations of both varieties this year.
Centaury (Zeltnera venusta)
Dry Creek
May 27, 2010
(Showy) Indian Clover
Dry Creek
May 27, 2010
Indian Clover
Dry Creek
May 8, 2010
Rock Lettuce
Dry Creek
May 8, 2010
Twining Brodiaea
Dry Creek
May 8, 2010
White Owl's Clover (Valley Tassels)
Dry Creek
May 1, 2010
Elegant Clarkia
Greasy Creek
May 6, 2010
Genus named (Clarkia unguiculata) in honor of Captain William Clark, Lewis & Clark Expedition (1804-1806).
Bob and I ran across a hillside full (south-facing) on the way up Greasy Creek to fix fence and replace a gate the bulls demolished. Neither of us can remember seeing it before - wet spring.
Tarweed
Greasy Creek
August 30, 2009
Tarweed
Greasy Creek
August 30, 2009
Oil is expressed from the seed and used as a table oil or lubricant. The nutritious seed can be dried and ground into a meal. From scalded seeds, the oil can be used for soap making. Flowering tops were used for a poison oak remedy. Leaves used as a tonic for inflamatory rheumatism. Northern California Indians made a cough syrup by drying the buds.
Yellow Starthistle (Baranby's Thistle)
Dry Creek
July 11, 2009
Yellow Starthistle (Baranby's Thistle)
Dry Creek
July 11, 2009
Technically not a native, Yellow Starthistle was introduced to the West Coast from Eurasia in the 1860s and currently infests 800,000,000 acres in California alone, 8 times the acreage since 1958. Each plant can produce 150,000 seeds. Poisonous to horses. Bad stuff.
Common Gourd ( Wild Gourd, Buffalo Gourd, Calabazilla)
Dry Creek
June 13, 2009
Early Spanish Californians called it 'chili coyote'.
Native uses: The roots were crushed and mixed with the pith of the fruit for soap to wash clothes. The seeds were crushed and eaten. Portions of the gourd were made into a strong purge, an overdose of which could prove fatal. A tea was made to address bloat and worms in horses. Dried gourds were used as rattles in native dances.
Common Gourd ( Wild Gourd, Buffalo Gourd, Calabazilla)
Dry Creek
June 19, 2009
Black Nightshade, Deadly Nightshade, Poison Berry
Dry Creek
June 8, 2009
The berries are poisonous. Typically livestock avoid Nightshade unless grazing is short, but once ingested Nightshade can become addictive and result in death.
Native uses: Although the old leaves are poisonous, the young leaves are said to be used as a cooking herb. Boiling the ripe black berries destroys their toxic properties and they were often made into pies. The Natives used a decoction as an eyewash. Parkinson wrote, "The root boiled in wine and a little thereof held in the mouth eases the pain of toothache." Pliny wrote, "It is good to fasten loose teeth, and the juice of the root, mingled with honey, is good for weak eyes. Juice of the leaves and a little vinegar mixed together procures rest and sleep."
Narrow-leaf Milkweed
Greasy Creek
June 11, 2009
Showy Milkweed (Indian Milkweed, Kotolo Milkweed)
Paregien Ranch
May 30, 2009
Showy Milkweed
Paregien Ranch
May 30, 2009
Showy Milkweed
Paregien Ranch
May 30, 2009
Everybody, at least beetles, bugs, bees and moths, like Milkweed for its source of nectar. Also an important larval food source for Monarch butterflies.
Greasy Creek
June 11, 2009
How many insects can you see? At least eight on this milkweed flowerhead, including a honeybee, bumblebee and a male tarantula hawk. Approximately 2 inches long, the male tarantula hawk feeds off the flowers of milkweeds while the female hunts spiders, including tarantulas. Its sting can be one of the most painful in the insect world. The female lays a single egg in the paralyzed spider where its larva will feed upon the still-living spider, sucking juices and avoiding its vital organs for as long as possible.
Harvest Brodiaea
Greasy Creek
May 11, 2009
Foothill Penstemon (Foothill Beardtongue)
Greasy Creek
May 11, 2009
Italian Thistle
Greasy Creek
May 11,2009
Farewell to Spring (Winecup, Evening Primrose)
Greasy Creek
May 11, 2009
Twining Brodiaea
Greasy Creek
May 11, 2009
Purple Milkweed
Greasy Creek
May 11, 2009
Sweet Alyssum
Greasy Creek
May 11, 2009
Clay Mariposa Lily, Mariposa Lily)
Greasy Creek
May 11, 2009
Common Yarrow (Milfoil)
Greasy Creek
May 11, 2009
Common Peppergrass
Dry Creek
April 10, 2009
California Yerba Santa (Mountain Balm)
Dry Creek
April 5, 2009
Thanks again to Krys Munzing for identifying this one. Just now catching-up with old business.
Milk Thistle (Blessed Milk Thistle, Russian Thistle, Musk Thistle, Nodding Thistle, Bristle Thistle) only thistle with milky juice.
Dry Creek
May 6, 2009
Coyote Thistle
Dry Creek
May 6, 2009
Mustang Clover (Yellow-Throated Gilia)
Dry Creek
April 10, 2009
Satin Bells (pink fairy lantern)
Dry Creek
April 10, 2009
White Lupine
Dry Creek
April 10, 2009
White Lupine
Dry Creek
April 10, 2009
Wild Hyacinth (white brodiaea, wild onion)
Dry Creek
April 10, 2009
Ithuriel's Spears (Grass Nut)
Dry Creek
April 10, 2009
Tomcat Clover
Dry Creek
April 10, 2009
London Rocket
April 6, 2009
Dry Creek
London Rocket
April 6, 2009
Dry Creek
Horehound
April 6, 2009
Dry Creek
Horehound
April 6, 2009
Dry Creek
Pipe Stem Clematis
Dry Creek
April 2, 2009
Pipe Stem Clematis (with Poison Oak)
Dry Creek
April 2, 2009
Purple Owl's Clover
Dry Creek
April 2, 2009
Purple Owl's Clover and Blue Lupine
Dry Creek
April 2, 2009
Brewer's Lupine
Paregien Ranch
April 2, 2009
Hairy Vetch
Dry Creek
April 6, 2009
Hairy Vetch
Dry Creek
April 2, 2009
Hairy Vetch
Dry Creek
April 6, 2009
Blue Field Gilia
Paregien Ranch
April 2, 2009
Blue Field Gilia
Paregien Ranch
April 2, 2009
Blue Field Gilia and Blue Lupine
Paregien Ranch
April 2, 2009
Foothill Poppy
Paregien Ranch
April 2, 2009
Monkeyflower
Dry Creek
March 29, 2009
Johnny Tuck
Dry Creek
March 29, 2009
Agoseris
Dry Creek
March 29, 2009
Dandelion
Dry Creek
Mrch 29, 2009
Lace Pod
Dry Creek
March 23, 2009
Thanks to Krys, the Lace Pod has been identified. It's one of those delicate little plants you can't help but notice when photographing something else. Included in only two of my reference books, 'Calflora.org' made it quick and easy to identify. I know I've become a little obscessed with knowing the names of our local wildflowers, but I think it's just plain ignorance not to know them when you've lived in a place most of your life. As many of these species are common throughout the West, knowing their names and native uses may be of interest to others. And lastly, when I certainly will forget their names, I've got a place to go to relearn them.
Native uses: seeds may be parched and eaten, or ground into a flour.
Red-Stem Filaree
Dry Creek
March 29, 2009
White-Stem Filaree
Dry Creek
March 29, 2009
Pretty Face (Golden Brodiaea)
Greasy Creek
March 27, 2009
Purple Chinese Houses (with Fiddleneck)
Greasy Creek
March 27, 2009
Bur Clover
Dry Creek
March 27, 2009
Bur Clover
Dry Creek
March 27, 2009
Pineapple Weed
Dry Creek
March 27, 2009
Jimpson Weed (Thornberry, Mountain Morning Glory)
Greasy Creek
March 27, 2009
Native uses: solution from leaves to wash a horse that 'wants to stray'; roots used to make a drink that was consumed as a once-in-a-lifetime ceremonial event, or when a medical situation warrented a strong painkiller. Poisonous to man and livestock.
Jimpson Weed (Thornberry, Mountain Morning Glory)
Dry Creek
June 13, 2009
Part of the Nightshade family along with Tree Tobacco, Nightshade, tomatoes and potatoes.
Blue Lupine
Greasy Creek
March 27, 2009
Spreading Phlox (Bird's Eye Gilia)
Dry Creek
March 27, 2009
Silvercrown Lucina
Greasy Creek
March 27, 2009
Lomatium (Biscuitroot)
Greasy Creek
March 27, 2009
Native uses: young green stems eaten raw; tea made of leaves, stems and flowers; roots eaten raw or dried and ground into a flour - add water, knead and dry in sun or bake into bread resembling the taste of a stale biscuit. According to Donald Kirk (see 'References'), cakes would be about 2 feet long and a foot wide with a hole in the middle for hanging on the saddle horn or hanging in the rafters.
Bush Monkeyflower
Greasy Creek
March 27, 2009
Bush Monkeyflower
Greasy Creek
March 27, 2009
Goldfields
Dry Creek
March 24, 2009
Goldfields (with Minature Lupine)
Dry Creek
March 24, 2009
White-Veined Mallow
Dry Creek
March 24, 2009
White-Veined Mallow
Dry Creek
March 24, 2009
Native uses: Leaves, soft stems and flowers steeped and made into a poultice for running sores, boils and swellings. An infusion of dried leaves is good for coughs.
Pliny wrote, 'that anyone taking a spoonful of mallows will be free of disease; they soften and heal ulcers and sores.'
Parkinson wrote, 'Leaves and roots boiled in wine or water or in both with parsley doth help to open the body, for hot agues. Leaves bruised and laid on the eyes with a little honey take away the inflamation from them.'
Baby Blue Eyes (with White-Veined Mallow)
Dry Creek
March 24, 2009
Baby Blue Eyes (with White-Veined Mallow)
Dry Creek
March 24, 2009
Phacelia ramosissima (Scorpionweed)
Greasy Creek
March 23, 2009
Phacelia ramosissima (Scorpionweed)
Dry Creek
March 24, 2009
Native uses: may be used as cooked greens. Plant may irritate suceptible individuals.
Bush Lupine
Greasy Creek
March 23, 2009
Bush Lupine
Greasy Creek
March 23, 2009
Minature Lupine
Dry Creek
March 29, 2009
Minature Lupine
Dry Creek
March 29, 2009
Hedge Mustard (Pamito)
Dry Creek
March 23, 2009
Hedge Mustard (Pamito)
Dry Creek
March 23, 2009
Native uses: seeds knocked into baskets and stirred in a pan over an open fire and then ground into a mush or stirred into a soup. Crushed seeds used as poultices or made into a tea. Young leaves boiled and eaten.
Common Brodiaea (Wild Hyacinth, Blue Dicks)
Dry Creek
March 23, 2009
Native uses: bulbs edible raw, boil or roasted
Fiesta Flower (Climbing Nemophila)
Greasy Creek
March 23, 2009
Fiesta Flower (Climbing Nemophila)
Dry Creek
March 24, 2009
Fiesta Flower (Climbing Nemophila)
Dry Creek
March 24, 2009
Tidy Tips
Greasy Creek
March 23, 2009
Sierra Shooting Star
Paregien Ranch
March 20, 2009
Wild Cucumber (Manroot, Sierra Manroot)
Paregien Ranch
March 20, 2009
Native uses: seeds roasted and eaten for kidney trouble; oil extracted from seeds for falling hair; crushed root mixed with sugar for saddle sores on horses; crushed pieces of green roots put in streams to stupify fish. The fleshy root of this climbing perennial may weigh as much as 100 pounds.
Miner's Lettuce (Indian Lettuce)
Paregien Ranch
March 20, 2009
Native uses: tender leaves eaten green, or cooked; made into a tea as a laxative. Helped prevent scurvy for the early gold miners.
Fiddleneck
Paregien Ranch
March 20, 2009
Fiddleneck
Dry Creek
March 29, 2009
Popcorn Flower (Snow Drops)
Paregien Ranch
March 20, 2009
Popcorn Flower (Snow Drops)
Greasy Creek
March 27, 2009
California Poppy
Paregien Ranch
March 20, 2009
Sulphur Ridge
Greasy Creek
March 27, 2009
Dry Creek from Paregien Ranch
March 19, 2009
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