This wiki page shows pictures of geophytes growing in the wild in northern California along the Sonoma Mendocino coast arranged alphabetically from T through Z. 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 – Marah to Sisyrinchium
Trientalis latifolia (Pacific Starflower) is a fall and winter dormant perennial with a deep-seated tuber. It is a short plant of the shaded northwest forests with white to pale pink star-like flowers that appear in spring. These photos were taken in May 2003 in Sonoma County, California by Bob Rutemoeller
Trillium ovatum blooming May 1, 2003, photographed in Kruz Rhododendron State Park in Northern California by Bob Rutemoeller (with Oxalis oregana). This species carries its flowers on stems above the leaves, all in threes and is found growing in shady forests. This species opens white, but by the end of the week fades to rose. There are some plants with spotted leaves growing in this area called forma maculosum. The last photo from Mary Sue Ittner illustrates this one.
Triteleia hyacinthina is found in areas that are temporarily wet in spring. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller taken in Sonoma County in a grassy area.
Triteleia laxa (Ithuriel’s Spear) that blooms in our area is found in multiple habitats, grassy open areas, and filtered light on the edge of forest and can be in bloom in summer after the leaves have withered. Our populations are often shorter and darker than some. This first one photographed by Bob Rutemoeller was blooming July 2004 in a grassy area that already had turned gold and the second was blooming in June on the Stornetta Public lands quite near the ocean.
Triteleia peduncularis (long rayed hyacinth) is usually found in vernally wet habitats such as swales, marshes, and temporary streams. Flowering June 2006 in Stornetta Public lands, these plants did not have the long pedicel which so often is used as a distinguishing characteristic of this species. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner showing the yellow ovary and distinctive markings on the back.
Veratrum fimbriatum known as the Fringed Corn Lily, is rare and restricted to shaded wet places on the Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts. It has white flowers with a yellow base and the petals are fringed. Leaves are large and pleated, emerging in spring, when they make a statement. By the time the plants blooms late summer, the leaves can be a bit weathered. The first two pictures taken August 2003 by Bob Rutemoeller and the second two late April 2004 show the leaves after they have emerged and still look very attractive. In the first picture in the second set you can see the habitat companions: Oxalis oregana, Asarum caudatum and Polystichum munitum. The second in the second set shows a grouping of plants.
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Watsonia meriana var. bulbillifera which is native to South Africa produces bubils in the leaf axis and in the right climate can become a big pest as it has in coastal northern California. This first photo by Bob Rutemoeller shows the drying foliage which makes an ugly and ever extending display along Highway One in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. The second photo by Mary Sue Ittner of a removed flower and bulbils on the stalk
Zantedeschia aethiopica know in California as Calla Lily is native to South Africa, but has naturalized and is found in many places along the coast, including abandoned homesteads. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner show a close up of one in such a place and a grouping found at Salt Point State Park.
Zigadenus fremontii is a plant with white showy flowers in open panicles. It is found both near the coast and on the ridges. It can be seen flowering in abundance in areas that have been cleared by fire or otherwise the following spring. All species of Zigadenus are poisonous because of a toxic alkaloid they contain. There is a shorter form of this species that blooms earlier in the year than the more common robust form. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner of a plant blooming on the bluff at Salt Point State Park, and some growing on the ridge in Mendocino County. 
Mendocino Sonoma Coast Index – Allium to Calypso – Camassia to Dichelostemma – Epipactis to Maianthemum – Marah to Sisyrinchium
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