Rare Plant Updates
What's Rare and Blooming in San Diego?
March 2000

Most of us plant lovers are sure glad San Diego County finally received some rain — better late than never. We may get a good showing of our native plants yet. To get your visual taste buds going here is a list of some of my favorite rare plants that are blooming or should start soon. So keep your eyes peeled (preferably not while driving like me).

Del Mar manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia) — a CNPS list 1B and federal endangered species. The small light pink urn-shaped flowers are found in clusters at the ends of their striking reddish branches. Blooming period is from November to April. Find these magnificent shrubs in southern maritime chaparral habitat along the coastal bluffs of Del Mar. Torrey Pines State Park is a great place to see them.

Wart-stemmed ceanothus (Ceanothus verrocosus) — CNPS list 2 species. This evergreen shrub has hundreds of tiny white flowers clustered on a single shrub. Smell the sweet lilac fragrance from January to April. Find this plant near Del Mar manzanita in the north county coastal bluff plant communities.

Chocolate lily (Fritillaria biflora) — The petals of this bell shaped flower droop downward from a central stock. The flowers range in color from a rich brown to greenish-purple and blooms from January to April. These bulbiferous lilies prefer open clay soils and grassland habitats along the coast below 700 meters. For a good showing check McGinty Mountain, San Miguel Mountain and Mission Trails Regional Park.

Seaside calandrinia (Calandrinia maritima) — CNPS list 4. A plant with purple veined petals and reddish-purple stamens is definitely worth seeing. This species blooms from March to May. Find seaside calandrinia at Torrey Pines State Reserve and other areas with sandy coastal bluffs from Leucadia to Otay Mesa.

Munz's sage (Salvia munzii) — CNPS list 2. A plant with lips! This species has flowers with a purple upper lip and dark blue lower lip. Flowers are found in sphere shaped clusters along the inflorescence. Munz's sage blooms from February to April and is found in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitat. Hot spots to view this plant are San Miguel and Otay Mountain, and Proctor Valley.

Orcutt's brodiaea (Brodiaea orcuttii) — CNPS list 1B. This perennial bulb species sends up beautiful lavender flowers beginning in March and lasting through June. The plant stands only 6-10 inches tall but find a cluster of bulbs growing together and the landscape can be a sea of purple. This species prefers clay soils and can be found in grasslands near streams and vernal pools.

Sea dahlia (Coreopsis maritima) — CNPS list 2. This bold yellow aster blooms March through May and is commonly found in coastal bluff habitat to 150 meters. A great place to see this perennial herb is the San Elijo Lagoon, Torrey Pines State Park, La Jolla and Point Loma.

Note: Rare plants are already low in numbers. To help keep their populations stable please view the plants from designated trails. Happy viewing!

--Carrie Stewart, Rare Plant Chairperson