How to Identify California Native Plants

Native plants of California are those that were seen by the first Californians. Many of these plants provide food for animals of the state, such as the coast strawberry plant. The native plants have been around for centuries and add beauty to the areas surrounding the beaches, mountains and hillsides. One of the most commonly seen plants in the state is the sunflower that endures California weather with its drought and cool breeze.

Instructions

1. Look for rounded shrubbery that has bluish purple flowers. These may be blue jeans lilacs, ceanothus concha or ceanothus celestial blue. They are all tolerable of drought and are give off a fragrance. The blue jean lilac can grow as tall as 6 feet while the concha can grow up to only 4 feet. The celestial blue is a large bush that blooms during the spring with buds that are reddish.

2. Search near beaches or clay areas for California manzanitas. These native plants offer nectar to butterflies, hummingbirds and insects.

3. Look near the coast to find chapparal honeysuckle plants. These native plants have buds of various colors such as yellow and red. They have very thin stems and some are not strong enough to hold itself up. They grow along the ground and near the coast.

4. Find one of the rarest native plants in California. Look in the mountain areas to find the tiburon mariposa lily. It rarely blooms and, if it does, it will be in May and June.

5. Be aware of the most prickly native plant in California. The quercus agrifolia has shiny green leaves that fold under its prickly edges. They have a high tolerance to drought and can stay healthy with minimum water. They are found mostly near hillsides in the central portion of the state.

6. Look for the white sage plant in hillsides, coastal areas and in the mountains. They offer pollen for bees and wasps. They can't be missed with its beautiful white leaves and strong stems.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for common trees such as the coastal redwood and giant sequoia.

Resources

• Plant Listing