My principle sources. I have also discovered some interesting blogs when searching for info on particular species, but I haven't kept records
Calscape—Each variety page contains botanic and cultural information, distribution map, associated insects, landscaping information, and a list of nurseries
Calflora—a database of botanic observations in California. Each variety page has a map showing locations, some sample photos, and some further references
Jepson's Herbaria—from UC Berkeley, online scientific information on plant species. Sometimes hard for a layman to decipher, but hard to argue with the data
Wildflower Search—Select a location from its map, and the engine will display photos of likely wildflowers, ranked by probability. You may refine a search using filters, "yellow flowers with 5 petals"
Pl@ntNet—upload 1–4 photos of a plant with flower, leaf, and/or form information, and they will suggest several species that might match. Also an app for iOS or Android
Nature Collective Plant Guide—comprehensive information on plants growing at the San Elijo Lagoon in northern San Diego County, my old stomping grounds. The area has coastal scrub, maritime chaparral, and riparian communities, and many species grow on Burton Mesa
My subjective view on relevant books in my library
Malcolm MacLeod. Dune Mother's Wildflower Guide. California Native Plant Society, 2001. (88 pages)—focus on the 'dunes of coastal San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties', the scope is Pismo Beach to the Santa Maria River mouth west of Guadelupe. Many species grow on Burton Mesa
Mary Coffeen. Central Coast Wildflowers. EZ Nature Books, 1993. (160 pages)—Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Counties. Chatty, informative discussions about her experience with many local wildflowers makes it a good read. Photos and line drawings. Includes about 40 plants on this site, but no coverage to distinguish local species
Thomas Belzer. ROADSIDE PLANTS of Southern California. Mountain Press, 1984. (188 pages)—Description and one photo per plant. Scope ignores small wildflowers. Its generalization ignores the distinctions between the various ceanothus, manzanita, and lupines, for example, that make Burton Mesa so special. Includes about 20 specific plants on this site, but no coverage to distinguish local species
Clifton Smith. A Flora of Santa Barbara County. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 1976. (331 pages)—comprehensive scientific catalog of observations, sorted by genus/species. Often omits common names, very few illustrations. Not meant as a field guide
Theodore Niehaus. A Field Guide to Pacific Coast Wildflowers. Houghton Mifflin, 1976. (432 pages)—with a scope from California to Washington, the coast to the high Sierras, it contains thousands of species. Unfortunately, only about 20 species I have identified so far may be found in this reference
Richard Spellenberg. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Western Region. Alfred A Knopf, 1979. (862 pages)—even broader scope, poorer local coverage. This book skips black sage, arguably the plant with the widest distribution in California
