Late Summer/Fall Wildflowers
The season ends in hot dry and shady condidtions

The final wildflowers of the season must endure hot and dry conditions along with reduced access to sunlight. The forest floor is shady and in many areas covered in large patches of tall native bunchgrass. Open hillsides are dense with tall golden grasses developing seed heads. During this period, wildflowers find habitat along the forest edges, rocky outcrops, streams and dry watercourses. Many rise above competing vegetation by flowering at the top of long stems.

Photographed by Doug Zimmerman