Field Trip to Incandescent Hills
If anybody wants to carpool, we will meet up at the Save Mart in Spanish Springs around 8am: 9750 Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV 89441. Otherwise, parking for the walk is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/igz2kKXrkzRHtmub6?g_st=ic
The two-track out there is relatively fine; anything with the clearance of a Subaru Crosstrek will be good. We can shuttle from Grass Valley road if anybody’s concerned about it.
The area comprises various layers of welded tuff and andesite, and is slightly west of an extinct caldera. There are layers of diatomite nearby that contain Miocene age fossils of willows and alders.
We be out there until at least noon or one, hiking anywhere from a mile or 3+ (depending on interest and how hot it gets). Species to look for: Erythranthe nasuata, Phacelia curvipes, Galium aparine, Scutellaria nana, and Eriogonum heermanii. We’ll also look for anything that looks like Eriogonum microthecum var schoolcraftii or E. alexanderae.
If anyone is interested, after this hike, we can swing by the newly described Pyrrocoma pyramidis in this area: 39.847616, -119.717463.
Bring plenty of water and salty snacks!
Field Trip, Red Hill Evening Walk
Red Hill, off Dandini Blvd., is home to five species of Eriogonum: E. umbellatum var. nevadense, E. sphaerocephalum, E. ochrocephalum, E. strictum var. anserinum and E. robustum. Eriognum robustum is endemic to southern Washoe County and extreme western Storey County, Nevada, in the Virginia and Carson ranges, and on Peavine Mountain and the Red Hill area. It is found in shallow, rocky, highly acidic (pH 3.3-5.5) soils derived from weathering of hydrothermal iron sulfide deposits formed mainly in andesite, and occasionally in rhyolitic or granitoid rocks, on dry, nearly barren ridges, knolls, and gentle to steep slopes on all aspects.
Parking available here https://maps.app.goo.go/WF7bWWPJW5vQidrP9?g_st=ic
Walker Basin Conservancy Spring Plant Sale
We will be at the Plant Sale on Saturday May 30th. We will try and answer all your native plant questions and will have limited items for sale.
Garden Tour
John Weiser will have an open garden day on Sunday May 31st located at 485 OBrien Way, Sparks, NV. The Garden will be open from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm; feel free to stop on by at anytime!
The garden features many Western North American dryland species with a mix of other drought adapted species from across the Globe. There are representatives from South Africa, South America, Eurasia, and the Mediterranean. Featured species include collections of Cacti, Agave, Yucca, Penstemon, Eriogonum, Aizoaceae and many others.
If you haven't checked out his garden previously, you're in for quite a treat! Come on by and bring another plant nerd. I'm sure you will find something of interest.
Field Trip, No Name Trail!
Join us for a trip to the Unnamed trail which starts at Thomas Creek, but travels along the north facing slope, eventually meeting up with Dry Creek. This is a fantastic area with a huge amount of diversity which tends to start a bit later than the surrounding area. We typically see Phacelia, Penstemon, Eriogonum, Hydrophyllum, and Allium among others!
We'll plan to start at 9am and aim to be out for a couple hours. We will meet at the Thomas Creek Trailhead Bathrooms located off N. Timerbline before heading out on the trail! Exact coordinates are 39.39354009773391, -119.8388704345549 We'll also be keeping an eye on the flora in this location and will notify folks if the sheep that are released this year have had a detrimental impact on the plants.
Penstemon Society Meeting
Flagstaff, Arizona will be the site of the 2026 joint meeting of the Arizona Native Plant Society (ANPS) and the American Penstemon Society. The dates are June 12-15. A planning committee made up of members of both organizations is in the process of developing the meeting itinerary. https://penstemons.org/index.php/annual-meetings
Photo Flagstaff Arizona. Source: AdobeStock
Overnight Field Trip
Join us for an overnight field trip to the Toiyabe Range. We will be camping in Kingston Canyon and will explore several sites in the area. Check back for details soon.
Basic Sunflower Identification Class
Basic Sunflower Identification
The University of Nevada Reno Herbarium
Instructor: Arnold (Jerry) Tiehm, M.S, Great Basin Flora Specialist atiehm@unr.edu
This three-day short course covers the unique taxonomy associated with the Sunflower Family, Asteraceae. Basic terminology, dissection skills, and use of a key are critical elements of this class. We will cover not only how to identify sunflowers, but how to collect and press them for future reference or for the purpose of mailing to others for identification or verification. You can anticipate seeing about 60 different sunflower genera. This class is for participants with beginner through intermediate skills.
This class may be taken for 1 unit of optional credit during either semester or summer session. Let the instructor know if you want to receive credit so you can obtain a class number. You must also pay the separate credit fees with UNR.
COST: $ 240.00 non-student
$ 120.00 student (fees for optional credit units are paid separately when you enroll with UNR for Spring or Fall semester or summer session).
Class size is limited to 30 participants.
Class will be from 8:00 am -12:00 pm, one hour lunch break, 1 pm - 5 pm daily. It will be held in room 300G of Fleischman Agriculture at UNR. Hot water and some coffee and tea will be available in the classroom.
Sign up by emailing the instructor. atiehm@unr.edu or call 775-742-9180-C
If you have a copy of Intermountain Flora Volume 5 please bring it to class.
Eriogonum Society Meeting
The 2026 meeting of the Eriogonum Society will be held in the botanically rich Siskiyou-Klamath area of southwestern Oregon and northwestern California, July 9-12th. From our base near Selma, we will visit local botanical areas and range as far as Crescent City and Mount Ashland. Lodging and camping are available at our base camp at Whisper Canyon Ranch or in the towns of Cave Junction or Grants Pass.
The Klamath Mountains are home to several endemic Eriogonum species, including Waldo, Siskiyou, Trinity, Congdon’s, Jaynes Canyon, and Klamath Mountain buckwheats. The Rough & Ready and Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical areas also feature a variety of locally endemic plants.
https://eriogonum.community/meetings/annual-meeting-2026-selma-oregon/
Saghen BioBloitz
Join us to take part in UC Berkeley Sagehen Creek Field Station's 12th annual BioBlitz, Saturday, July 11, 2026 (very tentative date--check back in May!).
Field Trip, Mt Rose Interpretive Loop
Join us for one of our favorite short, flower filled trails. If we have timed it right we will see Menyanthes trifoliata in bloom. Details posted nearer the date.
Lake Park Plant Walk
Join us as we tour the One Truckee River, River-Friendly Living Demonstration Garden, at Lake Park. We will be leading plant ID walks in the garden and in the park.
Field Trip, Hope Valley / Upper Carson River
Check back nearer the date for exact location and details.
Frog Pond / Relay Peak, Mt Rose
Join us to take Relay Peak Rd to Frog Pond. Details posted nearer the date.