Native plants for Humboldt County, California
1,491 native plants recorded in Humboldt County, California
The USDA plant database has 2,477 plants recorded growing wild in Humboldt County. 1,491 of them are native to the lower 48, and 342 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 911 wildflowers and herbs, 232 grasses and sedges, 108 shrubs, 116 low woody plants, 89 trees, 35 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 340 of them (23%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) and 21 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Humboldt County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 340 | 0 | 1,151 |
| Half shade | 244 | 96 | 1,151 |
| Under trees | 119 | 221 | 1,151 |
| Heavy clay | 189 | 151 | 1,151 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 227 | 113 | 1,151 |
| Never watered | 151 | 189 | 1,151 |
| Stays soggy | 137 | 203 | 1,151 |
Sun all day in Humboldt County: 340 rated natives
115 wildflowers and herbs, 88 grasses and sedges, 60 trees, 44 shrubs, 24 low woody plants, 9 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 - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Humboldt County: 244 rated natives
74 wildflowers and herbs, 72 grasses and sedges, 42 trees, 29 shrubs, 19 low woody plants, 8 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 - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid 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 - 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 - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Pale agoseris (Agoseris glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Humboldt County: 119 rated natives
40 grasses and sedges, 32 wildflowers and herbs, 18 shrubs, 16 trees, 11 low woody plants, 2 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 - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid 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 - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Pale agoseris (Agoseris glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Humboldt County: 189 rated natives
73 wildflowers and herbs, 63 grasses and sedges, 26 trees, 13 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid 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 - Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid 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 - Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Humboldt County: 227 rated natives
63 wildflowers and herbs, 52 trees, 51 grasses and sedges, 38 shrubs, 16 low woody plants, 7 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 - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid 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 - Davis' knotweed (Polygonum davisiae) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Humboldt County: 151 rated natives
35 wildflowers and herbs, 35 grasses and sedges, 30 shrubs, 28 trees, 17 low woody plants, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 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 - White hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Yellow rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Anderson's larkspur (Delphinium andersonii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance · toxicity: slight - California yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Hollyleaved barberry (Mahonia aquifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Humboldt County: 137 rated natives
59 wildflowers and herbs, 53 grasses and sedges, 12 trees, 7 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water plantain (Alisma subcordatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - 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 - Broadleaf arnica (Arnica latifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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 - 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 - Sea milkwort (Glaux maritima) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Small white violet (Viola macloskeyi) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Humboldt County has that most of California does not
96 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of California's 58 counties. A few of them:
- Streambank wild hollyhock (Iliamna rivularis): only here
- Bald Mountain milkvetch (Astragalus umbraticus): only here
- Oregon bensoniella (Bensoniella oregona): only here
- Seaside bittercress (Cardamine angulata): only here
- Mad River fleabane (Erigeron maniopotamicus): only here
- Twoflower pea (Lathyrus biflorus): only here
- Canadian sandspurry (Spergularia canadensis): only here
- Black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum): 2 counties
- Toughleaf iris (Iris tenax): 2 counties
- Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus): 2 counties
Where to start in Humboldt County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Humboldt County gives you the most rated choice (340 plants), and American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 119 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 1,151 unrated natives too.