*Calochortus luteus* - Yellow Mariposa Lily, found in heavy clay soils in the Bay Area, Sierra foothills, and the inner coast ranges of Central California.

The plant dies back to a dormant bulb during the hottest part of the year, only to re-emerge when the winter rains come. The plant takes 2-4 years of growth before it actually flowers.

The bulbs are edible, and are frequently eaten by invasive pigs and other grazing animals. The best places to see them are in open grasslands without a recent history of grazing. These photos were taken at Edgewood Preserve in San Mateo County.

Bulbs are seasonally available from native nurseries, and are easy to grow if you have the patience.

#bloomscrolling #botany #CaliforniaNativePlants #Calochortus #calochortusluteus
#wildflowers #Plantsofsanfrancisco #plantsofthebayarea

*Monardella villosa ssp. franciscana* - Franciscan Coyote Mint. This form is mainly found in San Mateo, San Francisco, and Marin Counties, the far north of Santa Cruz County, and may have historically been present in western Alameda County.

It smells delightful, and tastes like peppermint with a tiny hint of epazote. You can find it blooming in late summer, typically at the margins of grasslands and in rocky, exposed, but still somewhat mesic areas.

These photos are from Eagle Rock in Santa Cruz Co.
#bloomscrolling #CaliforniaNativePlants #botany #bayarea #nativeplants #monardellavillosafranciscana #monardellavillosa #monardella #Plantsofsanfrancisco #florespondence #mint #santacruzcounty