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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

Wildflower Mount Diablo Peak Rush-rose Scientific Name: Crocanthemum scoparium Family: Cistaceae Blooms: July Color: Yellow-Orange Shrub Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty

Wildflower Mount Diablo Wavyleaf Paintbrush Scientific Name: Castilleja applegatei Family: Orobanchaceae Blooms: May-Jun Color: Red-Pink Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants

Dragonfly By Jenn Roe and Dirk Muehlner Marvelous Animal Adaptations May 21, 2025 by Dirk Muehlner The dragonfly’s large compound eyes are made up of thousands of optical units which help the dragonfly see in almost every direction at the same time. An almost 360 degree world view; now that’s super vision! Why does a dragonfly need to see everywhere at one time? How does this adaptation help the dragonfly survive in its wild habitat ? What other adaptations allow it to succeed? Flying Hunters The dragonfly is an avid carnivore of the insect world and skilled hunter often on the lookout for smaller flying insects. Its large compound eyes peer in every direction but behind, which is how it finds its prey and watches out for enemies. The dragonfly is built to fly fast, up to 30 miles per hour. With its strong, agile wings and long, narrow body, it zips through the air to snatch slower flying insects for a quick meal. Also, the dragonfly has a strong jaw for tough chewing of crunchy prey. But don’t worry – while its bite may be lethal to insects, it won’t hurt a human handler (however, please handle with care always!). Download this article by Dirk Muehlner A dragonfly’s skilled flight make it an awesome predator and helps it avoid being eaten. Its enemies include other fast flyers like some birds, bats, and sometimes other dragonflies. BACK TO LIST

Wildflower Mount Diablo California Cicely Scientific Name: Osmorhiza brachypoda Family: Apiaceae (Parsley-Carrot Family) Blooms: April Color: White Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty