A few days ago, near the end of my driveway, I noticed just a slight glimmer of pink hugging the ground, nearly imperceptible from a distance of six feet. I thought of it today and looked at it a little closer, from a few inches, and through a lens. The flecks of pink are flower buds of Stork’s Bill (Erodium cicutarium) daring to bloom right on the very edge of winter.
As the weather here has warmed a bit more toward a more normal April, more species of wildflowers have begun to appear. Here are a few more species making their appearance, including one that I have not before noticed or identified; another member of the Saxifrage family (sure wish these were larger).
Oregon grape ~ Berberis aquifolium
Redstem Stork’s bill, Common Stork’s Bill ~ Erodium cicutarium
This is appearing to be an unusual spring for wildflowers. Some seem to be blooming later than normal and some seem to be early. In this and the following post I will show the rest of this year’s April blooms that I’ve encountered.
Stream Violet, Wood Violet, Viola glabella
Stream Violet, Wood Violet, Viola glabella
Redstem Stork’s Bill, Erodium cicutarium
Redstem Stork’s Bill, Erodium cicutarium
Utah Honeysuckle, Red Twinberry, Lonicera utahensis
Utah Honeysuckle, Red Twinberry, Lonicera utahensis
This pretty little flower has been fascinating me for the last few days. It’s less than a quarter of an inch across and lives only a couple of inches off the ground.
Could these two versions indicate female and male?
Whatever it is, its visitors seem to wear their sequined jackets!
I would love to know what it is! Thank you, Maureen for the ID, Redstem Stork’s Bill, Erodium cicutarium!