Carrizo Plain Wildflower Report March 3, 2017

HERE’S WHAT’S BLOOMING ON THE CARRIZO PLAIN THIS WEEK

Right now we are starting to see Goldfields, Fiddleneck, and Filaree (Erodium cicutarium) pop up, but no wildflower color yet. Here are some images from previous years to whet your appetite.

: Field of Red Stem Filaree

: Erodium cicutarium Red Stem Filaree

: Goldfields at Shell Creek

: Fiddlenecks

Images courtesy of (and copyrighted by) Marlin Harms

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Wildflower post

10 Comments

Nyman on March 7, 2017 at 8:08 am

I realize this is hard to predict, but which weekend in March might be the best for viewing wildflower color this year?
Reply
- Judi Young on March 8, 2017 at 9:14 am
  
  My crystal ball says any day on the Carrizo Plain is a good day. We generally go in April as a group because the bloom is more reliable then.
  Reply
- Jeff on March 8, 2017 at 2:47 pm
  
  Very difficult to predict. I rode Hwy. 58 last year on March 26th, and it looked like I missed the peak by about a week. I’m going to try again next week, and keep my fingers crossed.
  Reply
Jakob Bogenberger on March 14, 2017 at 6:12 pm

It sad that you are posting the blooming of red stem filaree (Erodium cicutarium)as if it is a native part of that ecosystem. It is an European invasive plant which is outcompeting most native annuals and is taking over a large portion of the Carrizo Plain. So no natives where is a high density of filagree!
Reply
Sean on March 23, 2017 at 8:12 am

Has anyone been to Shell Creek Rd. or the Carrizzo plain lately? I would assume that the wild flowers must be xploding right now with all of the rain?
Reply
- Judi Young on March 25, 2017 at 5:48 pm
  
  Check out these pictures, Sean. It’s still not peaked so you have time to get there! https://cnpsslo.org/2017/03/carrizo-plain-march-23-2017/
  Reply
Jody Langford on March 30, 2017 at 8:56 am

Went on Monday and the Temblor Range was incredible.

Shell Creek doesn’t have much variety yet.

58 between Shell Creek and Pozo Rd. has moderate color with some spectacular yellow fields. Around Soda Lake is basically just yellow.
Reply
Maureen Gutierrez on April 4, 2017 at 10:27 am

What is the best time of day to view wildflowers out there…..was planning on driving out on Monday April 10…Thanks for any input
Maureen
Reply
- Judi Young on April 4, 2017 at 6:50 pm
  
  I imagine any time between sun up and sun down is pretty much incredible right now. You can’t go wrong.
  Reply
  - Maureen Gutierrez on April 4, 2017 at 7:26 pm
    
    Thanks Judi!
    Reply