Late bloom includes native plant

   Marek Warszawski The Fresno Bee

Nineteenth century botanists needed 30 years to rediscover carpenteria after explorer John C. Fremont in 1845 first identified the flowering shrub in the foothills east of Fresno.

Thank goodness for modern conveniences.

Sunday at Black Mountain, you can discover one for yourself in just a few minutes.

Carpenteria, also called tree anemone, is the signature plant species in the Mary Elizabeth Miller Preserve at Black Mountain, owned and managed by the Sierra Foothill Conservancy. Normally closed to public use, the scenic 992-acre preserve holds its annual Mother's Day open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If Mom wants to see wildflowers on her special day, this is the place to take her. The property is home to more than 200 varieties of flowering plants.

There are two main hiking trails on the preserve, the first being a dirt road that climbs 800 feet over 1 1/2 miles from the main parking lot to the summit of Black Mountain (elev. 3,621).

While wildflowers in most lower-elevation areas are well past peak, many on Black Mountain are just starting to bloom. Among the current eye-grabbers are bird's eye gilia (lavender and white), tarweed (yellow), fiesta flowers (lavender), Chinese houses (purple) and several species of lupine.

Ignoring the cell phone towers and abandoned fire lookout, the view from the summit looks down upon Sierra High School and across to Pine Ridge (where Highway 168 climbs toward Shaver Lake). On a clear day, Shuteye Peak and the mountains of southern Yosemite appear to the north.

The second hiking trail, signed the Ridge Trail, leaves the main road near the summit and proceeds about a mile along a prominent ridge with views in both directions.

But above all, don't miss the carpenteria.

This rare flowering shrub, native to central Fresno County, is found on north-facing slopes and can be identified by its fragrant white flowers with bright yellow centers. More than 150 years since Fremont discovered it, carpenteria remains a popular garden plant in Europe.

"They look sort of like a fried egg," said Liz Smith, wife of SFC executive director Chuck Peck.

Cross-country hiking is not advisable because of the abundance of poison oak, whose leaves take on a glossy reddish appearance this time of year.

To reach the Mary Elizabeth Miller Preserve, drive on Highway 168 from Prather past the Auberry turnoff to the stop sign where the highway makes a left turn. Continue straight on Lodge Road for 0.4 miles, turn right on Black Mountain Lane and drive 3 miles until you see a wooden sign directing visitors to a small parking lot.

For more information, call (559) 855-3473 or go to www.sierrafoothill.org.

The reporter can be reached at marekw@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6218.

Fresno Bee, The (CA) Published May 4, 2005 Section: SPORTS Page D4

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