The human and resource support of our native plant community is larger than many realize. Here we list links to useful and favorite resources beyond CNPS. 

 

For Species Identification and Distribution Information...

Calflora

A repository for information on California wild plants from diverse sources, including public agencies, academic institurions, private organizations, and individuals. A great resource for identifying what grows where.

CalPhotos

From UC Berkeley, a collection of 677,066 photos of plants, animals, fossils, people, and landscapes from around the world. 

Consortium of California Herbaria 1

Another UC Berkeley associated resource, featuring California vascular plant data from the Consortium of California Herbaria and other sources.

Consortium of California Herbaria 2

Similar to the CCH1, but in many ways more advaced. This resource is a collaboration of 28 universities, research stations, natural history collections, and botanical gardens and data from nearly 1 million herbarium specimens housed by the participants.

Flora of North America

In development. Presents in one published reference source, information on the names, taxonomic relationships, continent-wide distributions, and morphological characteristics of all plants native and naturalized found in North America north of Mexico.

iNaturalist

iNaturalist is a citizen science project and online social network of naturalists, citizen scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations of biodiversity across the globe. iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.

Jepson eFlora

The foremost authority on the native and naturalized vascular plants of California. For plants occurring in wildlands or otherwise outside of cultivation, the Jepson eFlora contains taxonomic treatments, distribution maps, illustrations, photographs, and identification keys.

Jepson Moss eFlora

A work in progress. It is a collaborative effort of a broad group of professional and amateur bryologists, coordinated by UC Berkeley and Cal State Northridge.

Natural History of Orange County; Peter Bryant

A local gem with photos and descriptions of Orange County biology. Compiled by Peter J. Bryant, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine.

Vegetation Classifications of Orange County; Nature Reserve of OC

Extensive survey information of vegetation alliances found in Orange County. Includes amount of specific species cover found under each alliance. 

Wildflowers of OC and The Santa Ana Mountains, R. Allen, F. Roberts

We can not say it enough - this is the essential guidebook for Orange County flowering plants.

  Fungi Resources 2022, Joanne Schwartz

     Field Guides, Background Books, Cookbooks, Organizations, Websites

 

More Native Plant Information, Organizations, and Special Places to Visit...

CA Invasive Plant Council

Works to stop the spread of invasive plants across California. The respected Cal-IPC Inventory categorizes plants that threaten California's natural areas.

Native American Ethnobotany

Database of plant derived Foods, Drugs, Dyes and Fibers of Native American Peoples.

Southern California Botanists

An organization of individuals devoted to the study, preservation, and conservation of the native plants and plant communities of Southern California.

California Botanic Garden (formerly Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden)

Visit (as in physically go there!) gardens, nursery (extensive supply), classes, and events. California Botanic Garden is devoted to California native plants —and all the wildlife and people who love them.

Tree of Life Nursery

Retail nursery, wholesale nursery, classes, online resources, and garden design services. Large selection of local, CA floristic province, and desert plants. A must visit nursery for OC residents. 

Orange County Wild

Places to go to enjoy nature in Orange County. 

Theodore Payne Foundation

Nursery, seed and bulb store, bookstore, grounds, demonstration gardens, workshops, online plant database, and more.  

Wildflower Hotline (Theodore Payne Foundation)

Offers free weekly on-line and recorded updates – posted each Friday from March through May – on the best locations for viewing spring wild flowers in Southern and Central California.

Desert USA Flora

Where are desert wildflowers blooming in California and across the southwest? Desert USA knows and updates regularly.