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California Golden Poppies – Photo by A Syn

PV: What is the best time of spring to see the California Poppies in full bloom?

JR: Blooms vary around the State depending on their latitude, elevation, orientation to the sun of the land they’re on, and annual variations in the timing of precipitation. Typically in the Antelope Valley, the bloom begins around mid-February and lasts to about mid-May, with a peak bloom in mid-April. Late showers or freezes and early heat waves can alter the timing of the bloom last minute.

I recommend checking the Theodore Payne Foundation’s Wildflower Hotline website, www.theodorepayne.org/hotline.html, for updates on what is blooming where state-wide.

PV: What other wildflowers bloom in spring in California?

JR: There are thousands of wildflower species in California! Some of the more impressive wildflowers in the Mojave Desert are purple Bush Lupine, Scarlet Bugler, the Joshua trees in years that conditions lend themselves to a bloom, and a few hundred others.

PV: Which parks in your sector lend themselves best to seeing the full beauty of the poppies and other wildflowers?

JR: On the west side of the Antelope Valley’s Mojave Sector, the Poppy Reserve has carpets of flowers that vary in intensity and color every year, such as poppies, goldfields, owl’s clover, and tidy tips. The east side of the valley receives less precipitation, so Saddleback Butte State Park has coreopsis, gilia, desert morning glory, and birdcage primrose. Red Rock Canyon State Park and Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodlands are also excellent places for viewing other wildflowers.

Keep in mind, these are all natural parks so some years are amazing blooms, and other years may have very little to see.

PV: What is something that most people do not know about the poppy or other wildflowers that you think is interesting?

JR: Many people ask if it’s the “opium poppy”; but that’s a different species found in the middle east. California Poppies do not have opium in them, but the local American Indians did stuff the leaves in tooth cavities to relieve the pain a little. Also interesting- Spanish explorers believed that the petals cured balding- so they mixed the mashed up petals with lard and smeared it on their heads! I don’t believe it worked though…

PV: Why do you think it is most important that we as a state protect the wildflowers in California?

JR: Can you imagine a spring without the surprise of colors and sweet scents on the wind from thousands of wildflowers? Besides aesthetic reasons, these plants are the base of the food chain, providing energy from the sun that goes all the way up to the hawks soaring on the wind. Protecting wildflowers also protects our open spaces which would otherwise only be valued for production. Maintaining the availability of places to get away from the city and breath fresh air, without concrete and noise, is critical to the health and well being of society. Even if we don’t have the time or gas money to get there, just knowing it’s there gives us something to dream about!

Sticky Monkey Flower – Photo by Tom Hilton

PV: What is your favorite wildflower and why?

JR: Hmmm… there are so many! Sticky Monkey Flower has a funny name, Grape Soda Lupine smells so good, Yellow Sand Verbena is such a trooper, … they all have reasons to love them!

PV: What is your favorite state or national park in California and why?

JR: I used to work at Pt. Lobos State Reserve in Carmel, and it’s a magical place. It has abundant wildlife, dramatic cliffs and crashing waves, quiet moss-covered forests to hike through, crystal blue waters, whales going by and otters splashing in the kelp. You can drive to the most scenic parts, or hike through the forest to them. Famous artists, writers, poets, photographers, and regular people have all been inspired and enlightened by its powerful scenery. Insider’s note: You can park outside and walk in for free, or pay to get in and your ticket will also get you into the Big Sur State Parks the same day!

If you can’t get enough of all this wildflower info, visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=627 or www.facebook.com/PoppyReserve to check out weekly updates on the flowers.