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With open grasslands, towering rocky cliffs, and high peaks, Mount Diablo is a bird’s paradise. Over Mount Diablo’s cliffs and valleys, some of the most iconic North American raptors can…

Earlier this year, a new visitor paid the East Bay a visit. Having flown north from Pinnacles National Park, condor #943, a young male, was spotted soaring over Brushy Peak…

Common name: Pitcher Sage Scientific name: Lepichinia  calycina Plant family: Lamiaceae Origin: Native/Endemic Duration: Perennial Flower color: White Plant type: Shrub   Resources: Calflora

Common name: Yellow Starthistle Scientific name: Centaurea solstitialis  Plant family: Asteraceae Origin: Non-Native Duration: Annual Flower color: Yellow Plant type: Herb   Resources: Cal-IPC

Common name: Wild Teasel Scientific name: Dipsacus fullonum Plant family: Dipsacaceae Origin: Non-Native Duration: Biennial Flower color: White/Pink/Purple Plant type: Herb Habitat: Open, sunny areas. Likes disturbed sites, such as the side of…

Common name: Bull thistle Scientific name: Cirsium vulgare Plant family: Asteraceae Origin: Europe, California non-native/invasive Duration: Annual/biennial Flower color: Purple Plant type: Herb

Common name: Bristly goldenaster Scientific name: Heterotheca sessiliflora ssp. echioides Plant family: Asteraceae Origin: California native Duration: Perennial Flower color: Yellow Plant type: Herb Habitat: Grasslands Light: Full sun to part shade

Common name: Hospital Canyon larkspur Scientific name: Delphinium californicum ssp. interius  Plant family: Ranunculaceae Origin: Native Duration: Perennial Flower color: White/purple Plant type: Herb Status: California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2 1B: Plants rare, threatened, or…

Common name: Scarlet monkeyflower Scientific name: Erythranthe cardinalis (previously Mimulus cardinalis) Plant family: Phrymaceae Origin: California native Duration: Perennial Flower color: Red Plant type: Herb Habitat: Usually found growing in seeps or springs, or along…

Common name: Poison oak Scientific name: Toxicodendron diversilobum Plant family: Anacardiaceae Origin: California native Duration: Perennial Flower color: White Plant type: Vine/shrub Habitat: Grows in a wide range of habitats, including open woodland,…