Native plants for Alpine County, California
794 native plants recorded in Alpine County, California
The USDA plant database has 1,174 plants recorded growing wild in Alpine County. 794 of them are native to the lower 48, and 40 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 451 wildflowers and herbs, 135 grasses and sedges, 67 shrubs, 94 low woody plants, 44 trees, 3 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 253 of them (32%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and 7 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Alpine County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 252 | 0 | 542 |
| Half shade | 192 | 60 | 542 |
| Under trees | 97 | 155 | 542 |
| Heavy clay | 132 | 121 | 541 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 185 | 68 | 541 |
| Never watered | 128 | 125 | 541 |
| Stays soggy | 101 | 151 | 542 |
Sun all day in Alpine County: 252 rated natives
95 wildflowers and herbs, 54 grasses and sedges, 37 shrubs, 36 trees, 28 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American alpine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Ballhead waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Alpine County: 192 rated natives
61 wildflowers and herbs, 47 grasses and sedges, 32 trees, 26 shrubs, 25 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Alpine County: 97 rated natives
27 grasses and sedges, 24 wildflowers and herbs, 16 low woody plants, 15 shrubs, 15 trees. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Alpine County: 132 rated natives
57 wildflowers and herbs, 35 grasses and sedges, 15 trees, 12 shrubs, 11 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Hooker's balsamroot (Balsamorhiza hookeri) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium idahoense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Alpine County: 185 rated natives
57 wildflowers and herbs, 39 grasses and sedges, 34 trees, 32 shrubs, 22 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Clasping arnica (Arnica amplexicaulis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Davis' knotweed (Polygonum davisiae) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Drummond's rockcress (Arabis drummondii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Alpine County: 128 rated natives
36 wildflowers and herbs, 26 shrubs, 24 grasses and sedges, 21 low woody plants, 21 trees. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Marumleaf buckwheat (Eriogonum marifolium) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Old man's whiskers (Geum triflorum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Royal penstemon (Penstemon speciosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Scabland penstemon (Penstemon deustus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Alpine County: 101 rated natives
47 wildflowers and herbs, 34 grasses and sedges, 9 trees, 7 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Arctic pearlwort (Sagina saginoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Chamisso arnica (Arnica chamissonis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Clasping arnica (Arnica amplexicaulis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Hooded lady's tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Pacific onion (Allium validum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Rayless arnica (Arnica ×diversifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Alpine County has that most of California does not
8 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of California's 58 counties. A few of them:
- Jackson Hole thistle (Cirsium subniveum): only here
- Carson Valley monkeyflower (Erythranthe carsonensis): only here
- Lake Tahoe serpentweed (Tonestus eximius): 2 counties
- Alpine bentgrass (Agrostis humilis): 3 counties
- Bering chickweed (Cerastium beeringianum): 3 counties
- Graygreen thistle (Cirsium canovirens): 3 counties
- Subalpine cryptantha (Cryptantha crymophila): 3 counties
- Rockloving wavewing (Pteryxia petraea): 3 counties
Where to start in Alpine County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Alpine County gives you the most rated choice (252 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 97 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 542 unrated natives too.