Ratibida columnifera

Ratibida columnifera

Mexican Hat, Yellow Coneflower

These upright perennials (1-3') bloom in the summer at elevations between 5,000 to 8,5000 feet on plains and in openings in pine forests. The Yellow Coneflower has a purplish central cone and reflexed yellow petals whitele the Mexican Hat has drooping brick-red ray petalss and red disks. They prefer full sun and require little maintenance. They were often used bu Native Americans as a snakebite remedy and to reduce fevers.

Clarkia franciscana

Clarkia franciscana

Presidio Clarkia

Origin Of Genus Name: Clarkia is named after Captain William Clark, co-leader and botanist of the Lewis and Clark party.

Presidio Locations: Found on serpentine bluffs and serpentine grasslands in open sunlit areas.

Range In State: Grows only in the Presidio and in the East Bay hills.The Presidio is the type locality for this species.

Description: This rare and endangered, native annual species has leaves that are widest at the base and taper off into a narrow tip. The petals of the flowers are wedge shaped with lavender to pink shading. The middle of the flower is white and the base is bright reddish-purple. Blooms May to July.

Native Californian Uses: Parched, pulverized seeds of Clarkia species were known to be used for food by the Miwok.

Pyrola picta

Pyrola picta

Shinleaf

Native to Yosemite at elevations between 4,000-7,000 feet. Has basal leaves unless it is the leafless variety known as P. aphylla, which derives its nutrients from myrcorhizal relationships with fungi. Pyrola means "pear-like" and picta means "decorated", both in reference to the leaves.