This wiki page shows pictures of geophytes growing in the wild in northern California along the Sonoma Mendocino coast arranged alphabetically from Marah through S. Rainfall in this location starts in the fall with the most rain coming in December and January with less rain continuing sometimes as late as May. Summers are dry although there are periods of fog in summer which brings some moisture. Temperatures are moderate year round. Habitats are mixed evergreen and Redwood forests, bluff scrub, riparian and some limited grasslands, but much of this latter habitat (grasslands) is now gone. Most flowers bloom late spring into summer.


Mendocino Sonoma Coast Index – Allium to Calypso – Camassia to Dichelostemma – Epipactis to Maianthemum – Trientalis to Zigadenus


Marah fabaceus grows along steams and embankments and in shrubby and open areas. It has yellowish green or cream-colored flowers or occasionally white (those found inland) rotate (spreading, with a short or non existent tube) flowers. The fruit is globe shaped with a spiny surface. It is found in California in the Sierra Nevada and the coast ranges. I believe these pictures taken on the bluff at Salt Point State Park are this species although Marah oreganus also grows in the park. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner.
Marah fabaceus, Salt Point State Park Marah fabaceus, Salt Point State Park

Marah oreganus grows on slopes, in canyons and hilly areas and the edge of forests from San Francisco Bay area, California, north to British Columbia. Flowers are white, small, and bell like. The fruit is rounded, pointed on both ends and nearly smooth. I think these pictures taken by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner are this species, but they could be Marah fabaceus since they were taken in Mendocino County, California where both species grow and I never realized that when the pictures were taken. The flowers look white, but only a little bell like. I'll need to try to go back and look at the fruits in the area where they grow to be sure.
Marah oreganus, Manchester State Beach, Bob Rutemoeller Marah oreganus, Mendocino County, Mary Sue Ittner


Oxalis oregana is a plant with green trifoliate leaves and purple flowers growing on horizontal rootstocks. It is a ground cover found in coastal forests from California to Washington. In shady Redwood forests it is one of the few plants that competes well and you can often see great carpets of it there. The first one was photographed in Kruz Rhododendron State Park in California by Bob Rutemoeller and the second picture from Mary Sue Ittner shows the carpet of leaves you often see.
Oxalis oregana, Bob Rutemoeller Oxalis oregana leaves, Mary Sue Ittner

Oxalis pes-caprae is a terrible escaped exotic that is native to South Africa. It is found in many areas along the coast. These pictures were taken in Mendocino County close to Highway One.
Oxalis pes-caprae Oxalis pes-caprae


Prosartes smithii , syn. Disporum smithii or Fairy Bells is found in moist shady forests near the coast. It has creamy white bells that hang under the leaves and therefore are not easy to see followed by the berries that eventually turns from green to large orange red. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller
Prosartes smithii Prosartes smithii


Scoliopus bigelovii is a northern coastal California species that is found in very wet habitats: mossy streambanks and moist, shady forests. This plant is called slink pod or fetid adder’s tongue by locals. The first one photographed by Bob Rutemoeller was blooming in May 2003 in Sonoma County, California. The second picture is of the leaves taken many years later by Mary Sue Ittner.
Scoliopus bigelovii, Bob Rutemoeller Scoliopus bigelovii leaves, Mary Sue Ittner


Sisyrinchium bellum , known as Blue-eyed Grass, is found in open grassy places in the Pacific States. The first photograph was taken by Bob Rutemoeller in Sonoma County, California in May 2003. A later picture of his is a close-up. The last photo from Mary Sue Ittner was taken in Mendocino County near Navarro Point June 2007.
Sisyrinchium bellum, Bob Rutemoeller Sisyrinchium bellum, Bob Rutemoeller Sisyrinchium bellum, Mary Sue Ittner


Smilacina racemosa see Maianthemum racemosum

Smilacina stellata see Maianthemum stellatum


Mendocino Sonoma Coast Index – Allium to Calypso – Camassia to Dichelostemma – Epipactis to Maianthemum – Trientalis to Zigadenus


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