Areas of the Santa Monica Mountains, especially those hit hard by the Springs Fire in 2013, are showing vivid signs of recovery in the form of plentiful wildflowers, and this spring could be one of their best seasons in years. Some of the seeds had been dormant until they were awakened by fire and heat, a fire ecologist with the National Park Service tells the Daily News, but even areas that weren't charred are starting to sprout brightly colored poppies, lupines, and other flowers both common and rare (chocolate lily??). Topanga Canyon, Point Mugu, and anywhere along the Backbone Trail (which runs between Thornhill Broome Beach and Will Rogers State Park) are already dotted with colorful blooms.
Because of 2014's dryness, weeds and non-native plants have not been growing so well, and that might be one reason why the flowers are thriving all over, not just to the west. Palmdale's poppies are putting on quite a show, and the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve near Lancaster looks like Mother Nature wiped her Cheeto-dusted fingers across the hills. (In a good way!) These flowers are just getting started, so we've collected a few photos to show where some people have already found these wonderful springtime blossoms.
· Wildflowers in Santa Monica Mountains put on best show in several years [LADN]
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