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Tripartite Sweat Bee Halictus tripartitus Halictidae Halictus Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Description Halictus tripartitus has a dull green, metallic thorax, an abdomen with apical hair bands on top, and an arched basal vein in the forewing. For H. tripartitus , note head shape larger/broader than in most Dialictus , but lacking large genal projection (on the cheek) or tooth seen in large-headed Halictus ligatus . These are small bees (~5-6 mm in length). As with many female bees in Halictidae, there is a pseudopygidial groove at the abdomen tip (see red arrow above) - a good feature to narrow to family. Nectar/ Pollen Plants Like most Halictus , a generalist. Habits At least a partially-eusocial ground nester, with worker bees. Mated queens overwinter and begin new nests in Spring. Nests may have more than one entrance. Known to harmlessly lap sweat from human skin. Season March - November

Wildflower Mount Diablo Wild Radish Invasive Scientific Name: Raphanus sativus Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family) Blooms: Mar - Jun Color: Blue-Purple Annual or biennial herb Introduced Can be found in pink, white and purple forms. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steve Beatty Purple form Stephen Smith Color variations

Wildflower Mount Diablo Bunch-Flowered Narcissus Toxicity: Minor, dermatitis Scientific Name: Narcissus tazetta Family: Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis Family) Blooms: Jan - Feb Color: White Perennial herb (bulb) Introduced With yellow centers; naturalized from the Mediterranean region. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Sky Lupine Scientific Name: Lupinus nanus Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family) Blooms: Mar-May Color: Blue-Purple Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants

Wildflower Mount Diablo Harvest Brodiaea Scientific Name: Brodiaea elegans ssp. elegans Family: Themidaceae (Brodiaea Family) Blooms: May - Jun Color: Blue-Purple Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

California Hairstreak Satyrium californica Lycaenidae Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks Flies April to July Host Plant Oak, Mountain Mahogany, California Lilac Nectar Plant California buckeye, Oregon sunshine, Narrow-leaved milkweed, Yarrow Daniel Fitzgerald Underwing

Wildflower Mount Diablo Milk Thistle Invasive, naturalized Scientific Name: Silybum marianum Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Jun Color: Blue-Purple Annual or perennial herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Flat-Spurred Piperia Scientific Name: Piperia transversa Family: Orchidaceae Blooms: Jun-Jul Color: White Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald Daniel Fitzgerald

Wildflower Mount Diablo Jim Brush Scientific Name: Ceanothus oliganthus var. sorediatus Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckhorn Family) Blooms: Mar - May Color: Blue-Purple Shrub Native, endemic to California Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steve Beatty

Wildflower Mount Diablo English Plantain Invasive Scientific Name: Plantago lanceolata Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family) Blooms: Mar - Aug Color: White Perennial herb Introduced Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus Lycaenidae Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks Flies Host Plant Nectar Plant Michael Marchiano Underwing Daniel Fitzgerald Female

Mount Diablo State Park - Native Plant Garden Learn, hands-on, about the plants that make Mount Diablo State Park a special place. The Native Plant Garden grows a selection of wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees found throughout the park. Many of the plants in the garden are labeled with both botanical and common names for easy identification. Stop by this little gem before or after a hike for a pleasant and informative stroll. Western Wallflower Coyote Mint California Wild Grape Western Wallflower 1/13 Photos courtesy of Jenn Roe About the Garden The Mount Diablo Native Plant Garden is located next to the Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center at the south end of Mitchell Canyon Road in Clayton, CA. Entrance to the garden is free, but there is a parking fee. The garden is designed to help visitors learn about the native vegetation of Mount Diablo. Prolonged summer drought, and cool, rainy winters lead to a distinct seasonal variation in the garden’s appearance. Spring brings abundant growth and a large variety of wildflowers. In summer, spring wildflowers begin to fade, while a few late-blooming plants flourish. By fall, drought has caused most plants to dry and wither, but ripening fruits, berries, and seeds, as well as the garden's water features, bring many birds to visit. Winter rains mean a renewal of life and growth in the garden, and some early bloomers, such as manzanita and silktassel bushes, start their displays. The Mount Diablo Native Plant Garden broke ground on Earth Day in 2006, when a group of state park volunteers, led by veteran volunteer and designer Dave Caniglia, laid out the garden that volunteers continue to maintain and improve today. Roughly one acre in size, garden beds are divided into zones that reflect Mitchell Canyon's plant communities: riparian, chaparral, grassland, and oak woodland. The garden is populated primarily with plants that represent a microcosm of life along Mitchell Canyon. A garden map and a list of plants found in the garden are available to help orient visitors. Check out Wha t's Blooming Now on Mount Diablo for seasonal flowers that you might see during a visit to the Park. The Wildflower Identification Guide provides photos and information regarding many of Mount Diablo's plants that may not be in the garden. Plant and seed collection is prohibited within the garden and the Park. There are additional resources to learn more about California Native Plants and where to obtain them. Wavyleaf Silktassel Blue Witch More about the Native Plant Garden Location and Parking: Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center Garden m ap List of Plants Be a Volunteer at Native Plant Gar den Additional Resources about Native Plants Learn More About C alifornia Native Plants More About Mount Diablo Plants Plant communities What's Blooming Now on Mount Diablo Wildflower Identification Guide