I recently visited the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park. There were so many really cool plants, but one specifically stood out to me. It was red AND white, and it had what looked like little bunches of flowers. The last time I was at the park, I remember seeing it, but it was only a dark red color.
Now, it looks a little different, but I know it is the same plant. Do you know what plant this is Owlie?
Sincerely,
Plant
Power
A: Dear Plant Power,
I agree, there are so many amazing
plants in the park! We have 1.7 miles of trails with about 22,000 various water-wise
plants throughout the park.
The one
you are referring to sounds like California Buckwheat! California Buckwheat is
a water-wise plant species that is native to
California. As you mentioned, this plant can look different in each season.
In the
summer and fall when it is hot and dry out, it can be seen looking mostly dark
red (pictured in the top left circle). Sometimes it will have a
few white flowers, but not as many as it has during the spring. Towards the end
of fall and winter, it can be seen as dark red and white, just as you described
(pictured in the middle circle). During the end of winter and through spring,
it can be seen looking mostly white and pink (pictured in the top right circle).
Butterflies
and bees love California Buckwheat! You can find them on California Buckwheat
throughout the year, but will see a lot of them during the springtime when its flowers
are white and pink.
This is a
really cool plant to keep an eye out for as you visit the park throughout each season
to watch it change colors!
Talk to
you all soo(HOO)n!
Owlie