It's late January, 2002, and I've heard reports of the following plants beginning to flower.

Many mission manzanitas (Xylococcus bicolor) are blooming, as are bladderpods (Isomeris arborea). Common encelia (Encelia californica) and the gooseberries (Ribes spp.) are also in full swing. A few wart-stemmed lilac (Ceanothus verrucosus) in the coastal canyons have been seen flowering and the these shrubs should be full of flowers in February. Some San Diego sunflowers (Viguiera laciniata) have been seen blooming in the south county.

For the annuals and bulbs, shooting stars (Dodecatheon clevelandii) are beginning to bloom, and a few blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum) and a few popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys spp.) have already been seen blooming. Wild onions (Allium praecox) and death camas/star-lilies (Zigadenus spp.) have emerged from the ground, but flowers have not been seen yet.

What to Look for in February

What might you see flowering in the field during February?

The mountain lilacs can steal the limelight in February. In the coastal canyons and on the mesas see coast blue lilac (Ceanothus tomentosus) and wart-stemmed lilac (Ceanothus verrucosus). Otay lilac (Ceanothus otayensis) should also begin blooming in February.

Head out to east county late in the month to see hillsides covered in coast blue lilac. White hoaryleaf ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius) can be found towards Pala, Warner Hot Springs, Ramona, and Mussey Grade. Around Chihuahua Valley and Warner Hot Springs, and toward the southeast around Buckman Spring, Boulevard, Campo, and Jacumba, look for buck brush (Ceanothus cuneatus). March will bring even more Ceanothus spp. into bloom.

The manzanitas are also early bloomers. Del Mar manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia) can be found blooming along the coast, such as at Encinitas, Del Mar, and Torrey Pines State Reserve. Further inland find Eastwood manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. glandulosa). Otay manzanita (A. otayensis) blooms early on Otay Mountain and other mountains in the vicinity (San Miguel, Jamul, and Guatay Mountains).

Enjoy the field!

Bobbie Stephenson, Newsletter Editor

(Bobbie would like to run this column each month and would appreciate everyone's input. Newsletter submittals are needed by the 15th of the month before publication. Email Bobbie Stephenson.)