Greene's saxifrage
Micranthes californica

Warrior's plume
Pedicularis densiflora

The forest is waking up with all this rain. Hound’s tongue is in bud and will be blooming soon.

NEW
– Greene’s saxifrage (Micranthes californica) is blooming on the Ridgewood Rock. Small and delicate, this is the only place it is found in Homestead.

– Warrior’s plume (Pedicularis densiflora) is blooming along the Homestead Trail (at junction 15 on the HVLT trail map). This large patch blooms every year at this location and is one of the best and easiest to observe displays of wildflowers in Homestead.

Gallery of wildflowers and plants found in Homestead.

Alum root
Heuchera micrantha

American speedwell
Veronica americana

American trailplant
Adenocaulon bicolor

California everlasting
Pseudognaphalium californicum

California spikenard
Aralia californica

Chamise
Adenostoma fasciculatum

Hayfield tarweed
Hemizonia congesta s. lutescens

Lance leaf selfheal
Prunella vulgaris v. lanceolata

Naked buckwheat
Eriogonum nudum v. nudum

Sticky monkeyflower
Diplacus aurantiacus

Toyon
Heteromeles arbutifolia

Wavyleaf soap plant
Chlorogalum pomeridianum

NEW
– Alum root (Heuchera micrantha) is blooming with small white flowers in forests seeps.
– American speedwell (Veronica americana) has small blue flowers and grows in seeps.
– American trailplant (Adenocaulon bicolor) has white flowers on top of a long stalk over arrow-shaped leaves.
– California everlasting (Pseudognaphalium californicum) with white straw flowers is blooming in meadows.
– California spikenard (Aralia californica), a large shrub growing along creeks is blooming white.
– Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) is blooming white and frothy on the Red Plum Trail knoll. The most widespread of chaparral plants, this is the only one in Homestead.
– Hayfield tarweed (Hemizonia congesta s. lutescens) bright yellow ray flowers are blooming in meadows.
– Lance leaf self heal (Prunella vulgaris v. lanceolata) is blooming with purple velvet beehive flowers in seeps.
– Naked buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum v. nudum) is blooming on rocks in sun.
– Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), a small tree is blooming with white clusters that will be red berries later.
– Wavyleaf soap plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum) is blooming with sprays of white flowers at forest edge that bloom in late afternoon.

Forests
– Broadleaf hellebore* (Epipactis helleborine), an orchid native to Eurasia, is blooming green and pink in forests.
– Buckeye (Aesculus californica), a deciduous tree has leafed out and is just starting to bloom with white clusters.
– Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) is just leafing out for the season and is blooming white in forests.
– White hawkweed is blooming white in forests.

Forest Edge
– Hedgenettle (Stachys rigida quercetorum) with purple flower towers is blooming at forest edge.
– Spicebush is blooming with large burgundy flowers along Laverne in gardens and in Three Groves below the first bridge.
– Yerba buena, a creeping ground cover with bright green leaves is blooming with small white flowers at forest edge.

Meadow
– California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) with its bright orange bell blooms in meadows.
– Common yarrow is blooming with white clusters in meadows.

*non-native

Gallery of wildflowers and plants found in Homestead.

Buckeye
Aesculus californica

Cow parsnip
Heracleum maximum

Creek dogwood
Cornus sericea

Fringe cups
Tellima grandiflora

Ocean spray
Holodiscus discolor

Pigmy weed
Crassula connata

Q-tips
Micropus californicus

Shortspur seablush
Plectritis congesta s brachystemon

Sticky cinquefoil
Drymocallis glandulosa

Tomcat clover
Trifolium willdenovii

Vanilla grass
Anthoxanthum occidentale

Wood rose
Rosa gymnocarpa

NEW
– Buckeye (Aesculus californica), a deciduous tree has leafed out and is just starting to bloom with white clusters.
– Cow parsnip (Heracleum maximum) is blooming white in meadows with large umbrella flowers.
– Creek dogwood (Cornus sericea) is blooming with white clusters beside the bridge in Three Groves.
– Fringe cups (Tellima grandiflora) is blooming in forests with fringed cream cups that turn pink when they’re pollinated.
– Ocean spray (Holodiscus discolor), a shrub, is blooming with white sprays in forests.
– Pigmy weed (Crassula connata), a small succulent, is blooming red in sun on rocks.
– Q-tips (Micropus californicus) is blooming small, white and furry on the Ridgewood Rock.
– Shortspur seablush (Plectritis congesta s brachystemon) with its domes of pink flowers is blooming in meadows.
– Sticky cinquefoil (Drymocallis glandulosa) is blooming butter yellow at forest edge.
– Tomcat clover (Trifolium willdenovii) is blooming purple on the Ridgewood Rock.
– Vanilla grass (Anthoxanthum occidentale) common on Mt Tam, rare in Homestead. Find it blooming above Three Groves.
– Wood rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) is blooming bright pink in forests.

Forests
– Broadleaf hellebore* (Epipactis helleborine), an orchid native to Eurasia, is blooming green and pink in forests.
– Checker lily (Fritillaria affinis) with its yellow spotted chocolate bells is blooming in meadows at forest edge.
– Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) is blooming white in forests.
– Feathery false lily of the valley (Maianthemum racemosum), very fragrant, with white flowers is blooming in forests.
– Giant trillium (Trillium chloropetalum) is blooming in forests.
– Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) blooms with small white flowers. Unusual in Homestead, find it blooming in the forest understory below 14.
– Indian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora) blooms in large colonies making it one of the most showy flowers in Homestead. A hillside of it is blooming now with burgundy plumes at the unmarked junction 15 on the Homestead Trail.
– Manroot (Marah fabaceus), a wild cucumber is blooming white on fresh green vines in forests.
– Meadow rue (Thalictrum fendleri v. polycarpum) with delicate white or pink tassels is blooming in forests.
– Pacific star flower (Lysimachia latifolia) is blooming with pink star flowers in forests.
– Pacific bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) with its heart-shaped pink flowers is blooming under redwoods.
– Pacific sanicle (Sanicula crassicaulis) blooms with dark mustard flowers in forests.
– Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) is blooming with small white flowers in forests.
– Spotted coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata) is blooming with white flowers on red stalks in forests.
– Starry false lily of the valley (Maianthemum stellatum) is blooming white in forests.
– Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) is just leafing out for the season and is blooming white in forests.
– Wood sweet-cicely (Osmorhiza berteroi) is blooming in forests with small white flowers.

Forest Edge
– Blue eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) is blooming blue at forest’s edge.
– California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) is blooming white climbing over brush on Homestead Hill.
– California plantain (Plantago erecta), small and delicate, see it blooming in rocky margins of meadows.
– Canyon nemophila (Nemophila heterophylla), a delicate white flower is blooming at forest edge.
– Crimson Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is blooming with its distinctive red and yellow flowers at forest edge.
– Figwort (Scrophularia californica) blooms with its uniquely shaped russet flower blooms at forest edge.
– Hedgenettle (Stachys rigida quercetorum) with purple flower towers is blooming at forest edge.
– Starry false lily of the valley (Maianthemum stellatum) is blooming white in forests.
– Fairy bells (Prosartes hookeri) is hard to spot as its bell flower hangs below the leaves of this small forest plant seen blooming near 11a.
– Miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) is blooming with small white flowers over fleshy disks in wet places.
– Pacific pea (Lathyrus vestitus var vestitus) is blooming pink at forest edge.
– Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), a large shrub, is blooming with white clusters.
– Woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is blooming white on Homestead Hill.

Meadow
– Barberry (Berberis pinnata), a small shrub, is blooming with yellow, fragrant flowers in meadows on Homestead Hill.
– Blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum) is blooming blue in meadows.
– California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus) is blooming shiny yellow in meadows.
– California goldfields (Lasthenia californica) can be a carpet of yellow but is mostly scattered yellow in meadows this year.
– California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) with its bright orange bell blooms in meadows.
– Dwarf checkerbloom (Sidalcea malviflora ssp. malviflora) is blooming pink with its first blooms of the season on Homestead Hill.
– Field madder* (Sherardia arvensis), native to the Mediterranean, is blooming with small pink flowers in meadows.
– Ground Iris (Iris macrosiphon) is blooming deep purple on Homestead Hill.
– California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) is blooming white climbing over brush on Homestead Hill.
– Miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) is blooming with small white flowers over fleshy disks in wet places.
– Oakland star tulip (Calochortus umbellatus) is blooming with pale blooms near the ground on the trail below 4-Corners.
– Owl’s clover (Castilleja densiflora) is blooming pink and yellow in meadows.
– Pineappleweed (Matricaria discoidea) blooming yellow in meadows.
– Purple sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida) is blooming with burgundy balls in meadows.
– Purple western morning glory (Calystegia purpurata s. purpurata) is blooming in meadows.
– Shepherd’s needle* (Scandix pecten-veneris), native to Eurasia, is blooming white in meadows.
– Silver lupine (Lupinus albifrons) is blooming with large purple flowers in meadows.
– Sky lupin (Lupinus nanus) is blooming blue near the ground on Homestead Hill.
– Spring gold (Lomatium utriculatum) is blooming with ground hugging yellow clusters on the Ridgewood Rock.
– Sun cup (Taraxia ovata) with its bright yellow flowers is blooming on Homestead Hill.

*non-native

Gallery of wildflowers and plants found in Homestead.

California buttercup
Ranunculus californicus

California goldfields
Lasthenia californica

California plantain
Plantago erecta

California poppy
Eschscholzia californica

Crimson columbine
Aquilegia formosa

Figwort
Scrophularia californica

Owl's clover
Castilleja densiflora

Pacific bleeding heart
Dicentra formosa

Pacific sanicle
Sanicula crassicaulis

Pacific pea
Lathyrus vestitus var vestitus

Pineappleweed
Matricaria discoidea

Poison oak
Toxicodendron diversilobum

Purple sanicle
Sanicula bipinnatifida

Purple western morning glory
Calystegia purpurata s. purpurata

Red elderberry
Sambucus racemosa

Spotted coralroot
Corallorhiza maculata

NEW
– California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus) is blooming shiny yellow in meadows.
– California goldfields (Lasthenia californica) can be a carpet of yellow but is mostly scattered yellow in meadows this year.
– California plantain (Plantago erecta), small and delicate, see it blooming in rocky margins of meadows.
– California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) with its bright orange bell blooms in meadows.
– Crimson Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is blooming with its distinctive red and yellow flowers at forest edge.
– Figwort (Scrophularia californica) blooms with its uniquely shaped russet flower blooms at forest edge.
– Owl’s clover (Castilleja densiflora) is blooming pink and yellow in meadows.
– Pacific bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) with its heart-shaped pink flowers is blooming under redwoods.
– Pacific sanicle (Sanicula crassicaulis) blooms with dark mustard flowers in forests.
– Pacific pea (Lathyrus vestitus var vestitus) is blooming pink at forest edge.
– Pineappleweed (Matricaria discoidea) blooming yellow in meadows.
– Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) is blooming with small white flowers in forests.
– Purple sanicle (Sanicula bipinnatifida) is blooming with burgundy balls in meadows.
– Purple western morning glory (Calystegia purpurata s. purpurata) is blooming in meadows.
– Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), a large shrub, is blooming with white clusters.
– Spotted coralroot (Corallorhiza maculata) is blooming with white flowers on red stalks in forests.

Forests
– Bay laurel (Umbellularia californica), one of the most common native tree in our forests is blooming with white, vanilla-scented flower clusters.
– Canyon gooseberry (Ribes menziesii) blooms with Chinese lantern flowers in forests.
– Checker lily (Fritillaria affinis) with its yellow spotted chocolate bells is blooming in meadows at forest edge.
– Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana) is blooming white in forests.
– Giant trillium (Trillium chloropetalum) is blooming in forests.
– Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) blooms with small white flowers. Unusual in Homestead, find it blooming in the forest understory below 14.
– Indian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora) blooms in large colonies making it one of the most showy flowers in Homestead. A hillside of it is blooming now with burgundy plumes at the unmarked junction 15 on the Homestead Trail.
– Manroot (Marah fabaceus), a wild cucumber is blooming white on fresh green vines in forests.
– Oso berry (Oemleria cerasiformis) blooms with fragrant white flowers in forests.
– Starry false lily of the valley (Maianthemum stellatum) is blooming white in forests.
– Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) is just leafing out for the season and is blooming white in forests.
– Trillium (Trillium ovatum) is blooming white in forests.
– Wood sweet-cicely (Osmorhiza berteroi) is blooming in forests with small white flowers.

Forest Edge
– Canyon gooseberry (Ribes menziesii) blooms with Chinese lantern flowers in forests.
– Blue eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) is blooming blue at forest’s edge.
– California blackberry
(Rubus ursinus) is blooming white climbing over brush on Homestead Hill.
– Greene’s saxifrage (Micranthes californica) is only known to bloom in one location in Homestead, on the Ridgewood Rock. Its small white flowers are blooming there now.
– Starry false lily of the valley (Maianthemum stellatum) is blooming white in forests.
– Fairy bells (Prosartes hookeri) is hard to spot as its bell flower hangs below the leaves of this small forest plant seen blooming near 11a.
– Fetid adder’s tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) with its small chocolate flowers surrounded by bright green mottled leaves is blooming along the Homestead Trail from right near the 5 junction to above the 16 junction.
– Milkmaids (Cardamine californica) is blooming white in forests.
– Miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)
is blooming with small white flowers over fleshy disks in wet places.
– Pacific hound’s tongue’s (Cynoglossum grande) foliage is emerging all over the forest edge meadow habitat on north facing slopes.
– Woodland star (Lithophragma affine), another where the Ridgewood Rock is the only location where it blooms in Homestead, is blooming white there now. I have never seen this flower bloom here before March, last year and the year before in April.
– Woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is blooming white on Homestead Hill.

Meadow
– Barberry (Berberis pinnata), a small shrub, is blooming with yellow, fragrant flowers in meadows on Homestead Hill.
– Blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum) is blooming blue in meadows.
– Dwarf checkerbloom (Sidalcea malviflora ssp. malviflora) is blooming pink with its first blooms of the season on Homestead Hill.
– Footsteps of spring (Sanicula arctopoides) is marching with chartreuse steps across Homestead Hill.
– Fremont’s deathcamas (Toxicoscordion fremontii) is blooming in meadows with tall white clusters.
– Ground Iris (Iris macrosiphon) is blooming deep purple on Homestead Hill.- California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) is blooming white climbing over brush on Homestead Hill.
– Marin Checker Lily (Fritillaria lanceolata var. tristulis), Homestead’s rarest flower, is blooming with chocolate bells along the meadow trail below Amaranth.
– Milkmaids (Cardamine californica) is blooming white in forests.
– Miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) is blooming with small white flowers over fleshy disks in wet places.
– Oakland star tulip (Calochortus umbellatus) is blooming with pale blooms near the ground on the trail below 4-Corners.
– Shooting star (Dodecatheon hendersonii) is blooming pink in the meadow of the Ridgewood Rock.
– Sky lupin (Lupinus nanus) is blooming blue near the ground on Homestead Hill.
– Spring gold (Lomatium utriculatum) is blooming with ground hugging yellow clusters on the Ridgewood Rock.
– Sun cup (Taraxia ovata) with its bright yellow flowers is blooming on Homestead Hill.
– Woolly lomatium (Lomatium dasycarpum) is blooming with ground hugging frothy cream clusters on Homestead Hill.

Gallery of wildflowers and plants found in Homestead.