Native plants for Mendocino County, California
1,556 native plants recorded in Mendocino County, California
The USDA plant database has 2,611 plants recorded growing wild in Mendocino County. 1,556 of them are native to the lower 48, and 371 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 976 wildflowers and herbs, 212 grasses and sedges, 117 shrubs, 114 low woody plants, 100 trees, 37 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 325 of them (21%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), Bride's feathers (Aruncus dioicus) and 16 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Mendocino County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 325 | 0 | 1,231 |
| Half shade | 240 | 85 | 1,231 |
| Under trees | 126 | 199 | 1,231 |
| Heavy clay | 191 | 134 | 1,231 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 210 | 115 | 1,231 |
| Never watered | 156 | 169 | 1,231 |
| Stays soggy | 131 | 194 | 1,231 |
Sun all day in Mendocino County: 325 rated natives
118 wildflowers and herbs, 75 grasses and sedges, 62 trees, 39 shrubs, 23 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 - 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 - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 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 - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 Mendocino County: 240 rated natives
83 wildflowers and herbs, 62 grasses and sedges, 43 trees, 27 shrubs, 18 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 · 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 - 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 - 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 - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 - 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
Under trees in Mendocino County: 126 rated natives
41 wildflowers and herbs, 33 grasses and sedges, 22 trees, 18 shrubs, 10 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 - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 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 - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 - 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
Heavy clay in Mendocino County: 191 rated natives
79 wildflowers and herbs, 54 grasses and sedges, 29 trees, 13 shrubs, 11 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 - 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 - 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 Mendocino County: 210 rated natives
59 wildflowers and herbs, 54 trees, 41 grasses and sedges, 36 shrubs, 14 low woody plants, 6 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 - 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 - Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Mendocino County: 156 rated natives
41 wildflowers and herbs, 34 trees, 31 grasses and sedges, 29 shrubs, 16 low woody plants, 5 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 Mendocino County: 131 rated natives
60 wildflowers and herbs, 45 grasses and sedges, 14 trees, 6 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 2 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 - Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - California damsonium (Damasonium californicum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 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 - 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 - 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 Mendocino County has that most of California does not
73 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of California's 58 counties. A few of them:
- Livid sedge (Carex livida): only here
- Pygmy manzanita (Arctostaphylos mendocinoensis): only here
- Hybrid sedge (Carex gynodynama): only here
- Mendocino spineflower (Chorizanthe howellii): only here
- Tracy's sundew (Drosera tracyi): only here
- Arizona wheatgrass (Elymus arizonicus): only here
- Red Mountain buckwheat (Eriogonum kelloggii): only here
- Tarweed (Harmonia guggolziorum): only here
- Water howellia (Howellia aquatilis): only here
- Baker's meadowfoam (Limnanthes bakeri): only here
Where to start in Mendocino County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Mendocino County gives you the most rated choice (325 plants), and American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 126 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 1,231 unrated natives too.