How Do You Identify California Native Plants?
Native plants of California are those that were seen by the first Californians. Many of these plants provide food for animals of the state, such as the coast strawberry plant. The native plants have been around for centuries and add beauty to the areas surrounding the beaches, mountains and hillsides. One of the most commonly seen plants in the state is the sunflower that endures California weather with its drought and cool breeze. Look for rounded shrubbery that has bluish purple flowers. These may be blue jeans lilacs, ceanothus concha or ceanothus celestial blue. They are all tolerable of drought and are give off a fragrance. The blue jean lilac can grow as tall as 6 feet while the concha can grow up to only 4 feet. The celestial blue is a large bush that blooms during the spring with buds that are reddish. Search near beaches or clay areas for California manzanitas. These native plants offer nectar to butterflies, hummingbirds and insects. Look near the coast to find chapparal hone
