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]
Selected trees
Coniferous trees
Sequoias and redwoods
Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) - in the fog-shrouded coast ranges.
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.