These are really cool. The reason they're called touch-me-nots is that when they form seed pod, they explode when you touch them. I kid you not, they actually explode with an audible pop, though I'm not sure how.
This is a fairly common species of Morning Glory, though the blue/purple color isn't found in many species.
Family Convulvulaceae
I do not know what this has to do with a Cypress, but then again, I'm not a botanist.
These Iris are pretty common in Muir Woods, this one is a little worn, but when they're brand new, they're pretty spectacular.
Paging Dr. Seuss...
An introduced species from Madagascar in the family Crassulaceae
I couldn't ID this for a while because I thought it was a Lupine. Then I realized the leaves don't match, and after that it was easy to pin down. It was blooming all over Abbott's Lagoon
Family Fabaceae
This brings to California a little taste of the Emerald Isle. Found this Irish native growing on the sand dunes at Venice State Beach.
This is a pretty bog plant that was growing in large numbers in an area of Point Reyes
This looks a lot like the genus Phlox, and is in the same family. The flower petals are a bit different and the leaves are spikier. This grows at medium elevations in dense mats in the Sierras
This is a really common plant that looks almost like a shrub. The flowers are very small and are surrounded by small leaves.
Family Fabaceae
This was the highlight of my recent Mount Diablo hike. It's a member of the family Portulacaceae and is simply stunning. It likes rocky, barren slopes.
Blazing-Stars are often called gayfeathers and are a common sight on the plains.
We found a single specimen of this in a reliable spot that is unfortunately going to remain nameless. It's a fairly rare species of Lily, and is extremely attractive.
Family Liliaceae
I've been searching for this plant for a long time. It's the only lily native the tallgrass prairie in Kansas (there's another in the north, up around Montana).
This was growing along the roadside in rural Cherokee Co., KS
This beautiful lily was growing in large numbers in Redwood National Park. This is definitely my favorite lily that I've seen so far.
Finally a good photo of this magnificent Lily, it was common in a single wet boggy area that we happened across
This beauty is the reason for going on the field trip up to Humboldt County. It's a Redwood Lily and can either be white or pink depending on the age of the flower
This isn't the current genus name, but I can't find the new one right now. Found on a dry rocky hill at Point Reyes NS
This is a really common flower, though this is the first time since I've seen it.
Here's the entire plant, and it's only about 15cm tall. The flowers are less than a 1cm. The two opposite leaves are the only ones it will have. This species is actually pretty uncommon in California, but David happened to know a spot for it.
Another weird member of the Borage family
Family Boraginaceae
I'll title this one by its alternate name - Fringed Puccoon. A very pretty flower that I seem to find in short grass and stony fields
I was surprised to find this species flowering so late in the season (late September).
Color isn't the greatest; a tad too washed out for my personal taste. Just means I should have taken more photos. Ce la vie.
Another photo of Great Blue Lobelia. This can be found in wet areas in general, not just prairie.
Not a very big example of this plant, but pretty none-the-less
This is more of a bush than a plant, but its flowers are pretty enough.
This showy lotus was hiding in a single location on the beach at McKerrricher State Beach
Family Fabaceae
One of the ridiculous number of lupine species that are in California.
These are great plants, I usually find them at least close to the shore, or where its foggy.
It took me a while to ID this for certain, but I think I've pegged it down to Miniature Lupine.
This is a very showy lupine with multi-colored flowers. I found this individual in the Yosemite Valley, so at a relatively low elevation.
A common coastal species that has taken a shamefully long time to identify.
Family Fabaceae
Finally got a decent photo of this plant. It's a member of the Aster family, though it looks a bit odd. Very pretty pale pink color, which is NOT common among other members of this family.
Family Asteraceae
This shrub is the the family Ericaceae. The flowers are really distinctive to this family.
Apparently there are two families to which Loosestrife can be applied, this is the Primrose family - Primulaceae
This is a member of the loosestrife family. It has six petals even though most Dicots have flowers in groups of 4,5, or many
This isn't a great photo, but it is an native to the Bahamas and is rather cute. The flower doesn't open any more than this
