Lakes Basin in bloom

Spring has arrived in the Lakes Basin of the northern Sierra. A reasonably wet winter (at last) means lingering patches of snow and lush vegetation in late June.

The burnt-over hillsides are covered in creamy tobacco brush (Ceanothus velutinus):




Another handsome shrub, bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata), is ubiquitous:




In rocky places, Sierra stonecrop (Sedum obtusatum):




And in damp spots, mountain maple (Acer glabrum):




Higher up, arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) is a delight whether in living color...




... or blazing black-and-white:




I was informed by some foraging older hippy-types that the newly budded, burgundy-colored foliage of this manzanita makes a tincture good for treating a bladder infection. I hope they left some new growth behind:




Disclaimer: all plant identifications should be taken with a grain of salt!