Hillside walk, 20 April 2014
Although some flowers are waning, the growth of greenery continues, most noticeably the mustards, which are now tall and everywhere and blooming.
California suncup (Camissoniopsis bistorta) continues to bloom, and this week is more widespread. Previously I've seen it only at the bottom of the north hillside. Now it is prevalent near the coffeeberry tree (Frangula californica), part way up the hillside, and from there it is scattered all the way up to the steep, upper slope, although not at the very top.
Spiny redberry (Rhamnus crocea) and holly leaf redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia), which I'm watching closely as I missed their flowers last year, are now flowering in even greater abundance than last week, complete with bees visiting them.
The big surprise this week was an open flower of California peony (Paeonia californica). The plant also had buds. This must be a response to the rain because this same plant had a few flower back at its regular blooming time of early January.
A flower that has emerged this week for the first time this year is the morning glory (Calystegia sp.)
The species count of 41 exceeds last week's record for this survey.
