From: Andrew Kirk
Date: 5/13/01
Time: 10:54:50 AM
Remote Name: 209.221.198.195
For any birders who also enjoy botanizing, this winter's precip. has stimulated a tremendous bloom of Mirabilis multiflora, the giant four-o/clock. They are abundant in the lava outcrops at Blackrock, Division Creek, and Poverty Hills. A great place to see them is .8 miles south of the four lane on the south side of the Poverty Hills. Look for a Cal Trans staging area (all flat and bare, a bit of old pavement) on the east side of 395. Walk through the drift gate heading west on a dirt road. When the road bears north, head for the lava outcrops and start looking for the pink blooms of multiflora. Scrampling up the terraces of lava will reward you with hundreds of these magnificent blooming perennials. There are also lesser numbers of Mirabilis bigelovii, the wishbone bush, and numerous other things in bloom. The four-oclocks don'y bloom every year, so get out and see them this week. Wear sturdy footgear. Take lots of wows and o-my-goshes. This is a display you won't forget. A lesser, but still remarkable, display can be seen along the old highway near Division Creek.