Terra Wild

Terra Wild California Native Plants for the Temecula Valley

It’s Sarcodes season! Sarcodes sanguinea | snow plant | is a mycoheterotrophic wildflower that is hard to miss with its ...
06/05/2026

It’s Sarcodes season!

Sarcodes sanguinea | snow plant | is a mycoheterotrophic wildflower that is hard to miss with its vivid red color peeking through the pine needles between 3k’ and 9k’.
These plants do not photosynthesize and are ectomycorrhizal parasites which “steal” nutrients from host trees by accessing their root systems via the mycorrhizae which are underground fungal fibers. This is why you will always find them underneath or nearby conifers.

I started to go down a rabbit hole on mycoheterotrophs, and think you should too - they’re so interesting!

Other *fun* facts about snow plant:
• it belongs in the Ericaceae family - the same fam as Manzanitas and blueberries!
• it’s scientific name roughly translates to “bloody-flesh-like-thing. 😳
• they only appear in the spring after the snow has melted
• they are protected and picking or disturbing them is off limits!

Happy Hunting!

Downingia bella | Hoover’s calicoflower | is adapted to the unique conditions of vernal pools like those found on the Sa...
06/02/2026

Downingia bella | Hoover’s calicoflower | is adapted to the unique conditions of vernal pools like those found on the Santa Rosa Plateau.
Catch them in bloom now from the boardwalk in the main pool area (which is now dried up.)

Remember to please stay on trail and don’t wander off into the vernal pools, as these are critically sensitive habitat.

Tomorrow we say, Adios! and thank you for 45 years of inspiration💚
05/02/2026

Tomorrow we say, Adios! and thank you for 45 years of inspiration💚

Since I’m always late for everything…Happy California Poppy Day ☀️….one day late 😅
04/07/2026

Since I’m always late for everything…Happy California Poppy Day ☀️….one day late 😅

Mentzelia pectinata | San Joaquin Blazing StarNative and endemic to California, this annual occurs in Kern, San Luis Obi...
03/26/2026

Mentzelia pectinata | San Joaquin Blazing Star

Native and endemic to California, this annual occurs in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Tulare counties, and around the southern rim of the San Joaquin Valley, extending into the Inner Coast Ranges and the southern foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

It’s Calochortus season!Calochortus splendens
03/25/2026

It’s Calochortus season!

Calochortus splendens

Fritillaria ojaiensis | Ojai fritillary CRPR 1B.2What do the rare plant rank numbers mean? California Rare Plant Ranks (...
03/24/2026

Fritillaria ojaiensis | Ojai fritillary
CRPR 1B.2

What do the rare plant rank numbers mean?
California Rare Plant Ranks (CRPRs) are a ranking system developed by CNPS ( ) to define and categorize rarity in the California flora.
The CRPRs range from presumed extinct species (CRPR 1A) to limited distribution/watchlist species (CRPR 4).

CRPR 1B are rare throughout their range with the majority of them endemic to California. Most of the plants that are ranked 1B have declined significantly over the last century.
All of the plants constituting California Rare Plant Rank 1B meet the definitions of the California Endangered Species Act of the California Fish and Game Code, and are eligible for state listing.
Following each rarity number comes a threat rank - ie. 1B.2.
0.1-Seriously threatened in California (over 80% of occurrences threatened / high degree and immediacy of threat)
0.2-Moderately threatened in California (20-80% occurrences threatened / moderate degree and immediacy of threat)
0.3-Not very threatened in California (less than 20% of occurrences threatened / low degree and immediacy of threat or no current threats known)

Learn more about California’s rare plants in the CNPS rare plant inventory available at:
https://www.cnps.org/rare-plants

03/13/2026

One minute in the Carrizo Plain without trending audio ✨

Spring scenes from around the Plains
03/12/2026

Spring scenes from around the Plains

The bloom of Caulanthus inflatus along the Caliente Mountain Ridge is totally breathtaking. Photos do not do it justice ...
03/10/2026

The bloom of Caulanthus inflatus along the Caliente Mountain Ridge is totally breathtaking. Photos do not do it justice - if you can experience it yourself - definitely worth the adventure.
They’re surrounded by swaths of Mentzelia pectinata, Eremothera boothii, Monolopea lanceolata, and Phacelia ciliata. Be prepared to be eaten alive by bugs.

The road is freshly graded, narrow, and steep. I did come up on another car on my way down and had to back up about 1/4 mile before they could safely pass by. 4WD/AWD is not needed, but I recommend it since the suspension can handle the roads better. I drove thru the Carrizo Plain back in 2017 in my dodge charger and it’s sounded like an old rickety pirate ship ever since 😅

Address

Murrieta, CA
92563

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Terra Wild posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Terra Wild:

Shortcuts

Share

Category