"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm"

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Salmon Skyrocket - Ipomopsis tenuituba

 Flower Fact:

Skyrocket was discovered by the Lewis and Clark expedition and is a mountain dweller ranging from 3500 to 10000 feet.  This pink colored species is not nearly as common as the bright red colored cousin.  This genus can be found from southern California all the way north to British Columbia, Canada.   A biennial plant that produces a low rosette of leathery foliage atop a taproot its first year and then blooming, setting seed, and dying the second year.  Sometimes, it doesn't bloom and set seed the second year; and if so, then it continues to live from year to year like a non-blooming perennial.  It is a hummingbird flower and is also visited by hawkmoths, sphinx moths, beeflies, and long tongued bees.  It is interesting to note that the beees and beeflies bite open the bottom of the flower tube from the outside to reach the nectar.  The native Californians used the plant for several medicinal purposes:  as a blood tonic, disinfectant, eye wash, and as a tea to relieve stomach aches.  It was also used to make a blue dye from the roots and to make a glue from boiling the whole plant in water.

  Discover California Wildflowers - Mary Ruth Casebeer

To participate in a moderated exchange of information about wildflowers, you are invited to join by clicking on the word forum. Forum

I have attempted to create a place to learn, share, and enjoy the incredible diversity of the wildflowers to be found in Tuolumne County of California (Home of Yosemite National Park)  and its nearby surrounding areas.   It has such a variety of terrain, soils, geology, microclimates and elevation differences that all contribute to the numbers of plants and long viewing season that are virtually unmatched in such a relatively small geographic area.  This is truly an opportunity to wonder at the visual offerings that greet all those who choose to explore this marvelous region.

All of the photographs, identifications and accompanying information have been created with the goal of accuracy and completeness.   I would welcome comments, additional information, and/or  input on any mistakes, omissions, or inaccuracies that you discover.  If you find this site has been useful and/or enjoyable, I would appreciate hearing from you through the contact link I've provided.

If simply looking at these lovely images has only whetted your appetite to see and learn more, I would invite you to spend  some time and actually visit the Tuolumne County area and experience for yourself the special opportunities to observe these stunning blooms in their natural habitats.