Yellow Wildflowers 🎕 Northern California

Today's post is all about my favorite yellow wildflowers!

It seems like we see more yellow wildflowers than any other color, but maybe that's because they grow in such large patches as opposed to a small blue Chicory flower here and there.

Yellow Star Thistle (Centaurea solstitialis) might not be the most unique yellow wildflower, but there are so many purple Milk Thistle at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge that I like seeing the burst of yellow along the auto tour route.

See what I mean about those purple Milk Thistles! These were at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in mid-April, creeping in on a bunch of White Mustard (Sinapis alba). White Mustard can be seen growing everywhere in the central valley and is anything but white.

I couldn't do a post about yellow wildflowers without mentioning the Mule's Ears (Wyethia) of Lassen VNP. These cheery beauties cover a huge amount of the mountainside when you're driving through the park and look just as pretty from up-close.

We spotted this lovely Water Primrose (Ludwigia peploides) at the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge and we've also seen it at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge as well. It's considered an invasive weed, but it sure has beautiful flowers and the grebes love swimming around in it.

Which color of wildflower do you see the most often?

Diplotaxis (wall-rocket)

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Logan Creek Trail

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Late-April

Weed or Wildflower 🎕 Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Anyone know what type of flower this is?

We spotted it growing in the gravel in front of the observation platform at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in late-September.

After doing some research, I think it might be a type of willowherb or lessingia.

When I first saw it, I thought it was just an ordinary weed, but upon closer inspection I noticed the little pink flowers.

It just goes to show you that beautiful things can be found growing anywhere and everywhere!

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UPDATE:

The helpful folks who run the US Fish and Wildlife, Pacific Southwest Region's Twitter account have replied that this flower is Marsh Aster.

Milk Thistle 🎕 Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge 🎕 Northern California Wildflowers

There's something about this flower that fascinates the heck out of me! First of all, it's purple which is my signature color. Second of all, look at those thorns! You do not want to mess around with a plant that has razor-sharp spikes. This flower is fierce and beautiful at the same time and I think those are some great qualities to have...

We spotted this Milk Thistle at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in late April. Silybum marianum has other common names including cardus marianus, blessed milk thistle, Marian thistle, Mary thistle, Saint Mary's thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle, variegated thistle and Scotch thistle.

Mini California Superbloom

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Some pics from the mini superbloom we found

at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in April...

April Wildflowers ~ Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

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Here are a few of the wildflowers we can look forward to seeing again in April at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge...

Hairy Vetch

White Mustard

Milk Thistle

American Wild Carrot?

We've seen this white flowering plant along the auto route dozens of times. Any suggestions?

Purple Wildflowers 🎕 Northern California

💜 Purple is my signature color, so I'm extra excited about picking out my favorite purple wildflowers for today's post!

Imagine my delight when we saw thousands of pretty Penstemons while hiking all throughout Lassen Volcanic National Park this summer! There are dozens of different species, but I'm almost positive these are Slender Penstemons (Penstemon gracilentus).

One of my absolute favorite flowers is Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum). They have the most beautiful purple blooms along with contrasting spikes that make this one fierce flower. They grow all around the wildlife refuges here in the central valley.

I'm pretty sure this Vervain is the Brazilian variety (Verbena brasiliensis) and I saw it growing at the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. Why are most my favorite flowers considered invasive weeds???

And, last but not least, Downingia, the carpet of purple calico flowers that sprang up during the super-bloom at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.

What is your favorite super-bloom flower? Poppies perhaps?

Moth Mullein

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Moth Mullein growing at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge...

Weeds & Wildflowers 🎕 Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Mid-September

Brazilian Vervain

Pink Wildflowers 🎕 Northern California

Pink wildflowers make me happy. Then again, all wildflowers make me happy. But, for the sake of today's post, I'm choosing a few of my favorite pinks...

I think this Sweet Pea growing alongside the road in Mineral is, well, sweet. Anytime I can spot wildflowers on my way to a different location to see wildflowers is okay by me! (Late-June)

This Laurel was also growing on the side of the road, but inside Lassen Volcanic National Park instead. (Late-June)

I think this Fireweed we spotted on the Kings Creek Falls trail has one of the coolest names and is pretty darn spectacular as far as flowers go. (Lassen VNP, Late-August)

Lastly, this Sacramento Waxydogbane is on the list not only because of its beauty, but because of its location. It was growing next to the firelookout tower at the top of Mount Harkness. (Lassen VNP, Early-July)

So, it turns out there are quite a few different varieties of pink wildflowers growing in and around Lassen Volcanic National Park. I know I'm leaving off tons of pink favorites, but I'll get around to posting them all eventually!

How about you? Do you see any of your favorites on this list?