Common name Botanical Name
Weed's Mariposa Lily Calochortus fimbriatus

These hairy kind like to grow in sunny places half-way up the mountains and bloom early summer. I've seen them on Inspiration Point, Mission Ridge and near the power lines on Arroyo Burro trail.

pink, red, summer, sun, white
Western Blue Eyed Grass Sisyrinchium bellum

Spring, near Upper Oso Campground

blue, six petals, sun
Western Sycamore seeds Platanus racemosa

Romero Trail
I hadn't noticed the seeds of sycamore before they become fuzzy balls before.

green
White Nightshade Solanum douglasii

Cold Springs Trail
Actually, I took this picture on the road where you park. Likes shade.

five petals, shade, white
White Nightshade Solanum douglasii

Romero Trail
Don't eat this. Poisonous.

five petals, shade, white
White Phacelia Phacelia viscida var.albiflora

West Fork Cold Springs
On the upper, "illegal" trail. The latin name probably is not correct. I couldn't find a similar picture anywhere.

sticky, summer, sun, white
White Sage Salvia apiana

Romero Trail
People collect this sage to make those whitesage smudges or for incense that sort of smells like marijuana.

silver, sticky, white
Wild Carrot Daucus pusillus

Manzana Trail
Also called Rattlesnake Weed.

green, shade, sun, white
Wild Cucumber Marah macrocarpus

Grows in shade. The leaves around these flowers are not the leaves of the plant. The leaves of the plant are shaped more like ivy leaves and have a sparkly, fuzzy quality. These vines have curly tendrils that reach out to allow the plant to climb all over everything. Blooms in early spring.

shade, white
Wild Cucumber or California Man-root Marah fabaceus

Probably late spring
Wild cucumber is poisonous. Likes shade. Has a small cluster of white flowers and curly viny stems. The fruit, shown here, is very large and spiny. Don't eat it.

green, shade, white
Wild Parsley or Carrot Apiaceae

Early Spring, Arroyo Burro Trail
Related to carrot, I think.

shade, sun, yellow
Wild Rose Rosa californica

June, Coldwater Camp on the Manzana Trail
These are common in shady places near creeks. They can be found among the poison oak. They have very small buds and a wonderful rose scent.

pink, shade, summer
Willow Herb Clarkia Clarkia epilobioides

Cold Springs Trail
Also called Fairy Fan. These are small and grew on the shady side of a hill. They had a pinkish bud. The red stuff growing with it is figwort.

four petals, pink, shade, white
Wind poppy Stylomecon heterophylla

May, Hurricane Deck
This is a rare find. I found it in deep shade on a north-facing slop at about 3-4000 feet elevation.

four petals, orange, shade
Wine Cups Clarkia speciosa

Spring, Manzana Trail to the Schoolhouse
Wine cups open only a little more than this. This picture was taken in the morning. They like grassy meadows.

pink, purple, red, sun
Wishbone Bush Mirabilis californica

Romero Trail
These are members of the Four O' Clock family, but didn't seem to wait until four to open.

five petals, four petals, pink, purple, shade, summer
Wishbone Bush Mirabilis californica

Tom's Hippie House trail near Cold Springs Trail
These are members of the Four O' Clock family, but didn't seem to wait until four to open.

five petals, four petals, pink, purple, shade, summer
Woodland star Lithophragma affine

April, Willow Springs Trail
Most photographs I've seen don't show such a frilly petal.

five petals, shade, white
Wooly Blue Curls Trichostema lanatum

Tunnel Trail
Wooly blue curls like burn zones and full sun. They have a pineapple-sage fragrance.

blue, purple, summer, sun
Yellow Indian Paintbrush Castilleja affinis

Spring, Little Pine Mountain in the burn area

yellow, red, summer, sun
Yellow Pincushion Chanactis glabriuscula

Figueroa Mountain Road
Blooms in full sun in spring. Can be found in Little Pine Mountain area, too.

sun, yellow
Yellow Salsify Tragopogon dubius

May, Potrero Trail near Negis Cave
I also saw this called Silver Puffs for the dandylion puffs it makes.

sun, yellow
Yellow Salsify Tragopogon dubius

Spring, Potrero Trail in the meadow
I have heard another name for these but can't remember what it is!

sun, yellow
Yerba mansa Anemopsis californica

Gaviota Hot Springs
I can't remember if we went during Spring or Summer.

shade, six petals, summer, white
Yerba Santa Eriodictyon crassifolium

Manzana Trail
Can be found on Lost Valley Trail, on Gibraltar Road, and in many places. It is quite common.

purple, summer, sun