A Big Basin Tiger Lily
By David Chadwick
The elusive Tiger Lily (Lilium pardalinum) is a perennial wildflower native to California and grows in the Santa Cruz Mountains along shady creeks. Blooming from June to September, they can grow to 5 to 6 feet tall and can often appear in clusters of blooms along a streambed. The striking orange flowers are a sweet reward for exploring a little deeper. I found this specimen in a quiet corner of Castle Rock State Park near the convergence of Big Basin Redwoods State Park hiking the Toll Road-Interconnector Trail / Saratoga Toll Road along the upper San Lorenzo River. There are several access points to these lesser known trails on upper Highway 9; trailheads are marked but parking is limited to a few shallow turnouts. I used my trusty Google Pixel smart-phone for the shot.
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David Chadwick is a Boulder Creek resident, avid hiker, and native plant landscape professional. He plays Celtic music on the fiddle, guitar, and banjo and teaches music lessons.
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