Wildflowers Content

A Native California Wildflower Isn’t Keeping Up with Climate Change

Katherine E Kerlin — July 21, 2026 - 9:00am

The mountain jewelflower inhabits a wide swath of California and Oregon, from summer-scorched foothills to high mountains where snow falls during winter. But it is already suffering from climate change, with plants in the mountains struggling to survive both summers and winters, according to a study from the University of California, Davis.

Car Fumes, Weeds Pose Double Whammy for Fire-Loving Native Plants

Katherine E Kerlin — February 15, 2024 - 9:00am

A 51�ԹϺ�� Davis study found that wildflowers that usually flourish after a fire were replaced by invasive plants in places where nitrogen from vehicle emissions were high.

Superbloom or Superbust?

Katherine E Kerlin — April 05, 2023 - 11:29am

Will a soaked California experience a wildflower superbloom this season? 51�ԹϺ�� Davis plant ecologists weigh in on the chances and how to enjoy wildflowers responsibly.

Spreading Native Plant Seeds for the Future of Urban Landscapes

Karen Michele Nikos-Rose — September 29, 2021 - 11:30am

There might soon be more native California poppies, lupines and sunflowers popping up along streets and sidewalks in the region.

Native Wildflowers Bank on Seeds Underground to Endure Drought

Katherine E Kerlin — March 01, 2018 - 4:15pm

Native wildflowers were surprisingly resilient during California’s most recent drought, even more so than exotic grasses. To see this resilience, 51�ԹϺ�� Davis researchers of a new study had to look underground to the seed bank. Native wildflowers increased the seeds they stored underground by 201 percent during the drought.