California Wild Fires Bring California Wildflowers

The wildfires and rains have been destructive. However, botanists believe that this will spur a beautiful display of California wildflowers, especially during April. Get your camera ready for an amazing display of color and variety.

Fire Followers

The Woolsey Fire and the heavy rains this past winter and early spring will bring more flowers than normal to the Santa Monica Mountains. This is because of something called fire followers.

These are herb-like plants that only bloom after a fire. In the area, there are over 100 fire followers that could potentially bloom, dotting the hillside with a rainbow of color.

No More Drought

In addition to the fire, the recent rains also play an important role. After an exceptionally wet winter, all of California is now drought-free for the first time in eight years. According to the most recent numbers, the LA area received almost 16 inches of rain by the end of February, which is significantly higher than in years past.

Wildflowers Already in Bloom

Park rangers throughout the Santa Monica Mountains are looking for flowers in bloom. So far, these are the ones they have found:

• California poppies
• Blue dicks
• Shooting stars
• Lemonade berry
• Lupines
• Wild Cucumber
• Big Pod Ceanothus (A shrub with white flowers)

In addition, they have found shoots of the following flowers, though no blooms yet:

• Deerweed
• Morning glory
• And many more

California Wildflowers in April

The best is yet to come. Head on over to Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, Palo Comado Canyon, Cheeseboro Canyon, Paramount Ranch, and Malibu Creek State Park to see the flowers and take beautiful photographs.

Rangers say you can expect to see the following flowers in April:

• Lupine
• Phacelia
• Poppy
• Popcorn-flower
• Lily
• Snapdragon
• Sunflowers
• Morning glory
• Wild Cucumber

Of course, be sure to walk on trails to keep from harming the flowers. Also, do not pick the wildflowers, as this is against the rules.