In 1993, The Jepson Manual estimated that California was home to 4,693 native species and 1,169 native subspecies or varieties, including 1,416 endemic species. A 2001 study by the California Native Plant Society estimated 6,300 native plants. These estimates continue to change over time.[2]
Of California's total plant population, 2,153 species, subspecies, and varieties are endemic and native to California alone, according to the 1993 Jepson Manual study.[4] This botanical diversity stems not only from the size of the state, but also its diverse topographies, climates, and soils (e.g. serpentine outcrops). Numerous plant groupings exist in California, and botanists work to structure them into identifiable ecoregions, plant communities, vegetation types, and habitats, and taxonomies.[4][5]
California native plants include some that have widespread horticultural use. Sometimes the appreciation began outside of California—lupines, California fuchsias, and California poppies were first cultivated in British and European gardens for over a century.[6]
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) are found in drier places. California poppies are also an annual in many places. The state flower of California.
Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana) and 'Pacific Coast' hybrids
Blue dicks-ookow (Dipterostemon capitatus): one of the most common native bulb species throughout California; found in grassland and dry meadow habitats
Mariposa lilies (Calochortus spp.): available from reputable horticultural sources; taking from the wild is illegal and is resulting in significant declines of some species from over collecting.[citation needed]
Some California native plants are in rapid decline in their native habitat due to urban sprawl, agriculture, overgrazing, recreational impacts, pollution, and invasive non-native species (invasive exotics) colonization pressures (animals and other kingdoms of life, as well as plants).[16]
^Munz, Philip Alexander; Keck, David Daniels (1 June 1973). A California Flora. University of California Press. ISBN978-0-520-02405-2. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Recommended Species — provides a national searchable supplier directory for landscaping, environmental consultants, seed sources and nurseries; recommended plant lists that can be filtered to include plants native to California; and plant recommendations for specific regions of California.
Audubon Society — includes a national searchable database of native plants suitable for attracting wildlife, especially birds.
USDA plants — an extensive searchable national database of numerous native and non-native plants with various filters.
EPA Ecoregion Research — provides research data on ecoregion levels III and IV of California with some useful native plant information.
