Flower fields of Gorman Hills

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Coordinates:	34.79264 N 118.846951 W
No:	22 (list of all attractions)
Category:	Ecosystems
Values:	Biology
Rank:	8
Address:	North America, United States, California, Los Angeles County, 100 km north-west from Los Angeles City, near Lebec, hillsides in both sides from Gorman Post Road
Alternate name:	The Grapevine
Dominating species:	California poppy ((Eschscholzia californica Cham.), Bentham lupine (Lupinus benthamii A.Heller) and others

Spring colors of Gorman Hills.
Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Gorman Hills in spring.
anarchosyn, Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

Not too far from the famous Antelope Valley poppy meadows there is another well-known location where in spring-time often there can be observed magnificent florescence of celebrated Californian flowers - flower fields of Gorman Hills.

Brilliant blue and golden hillsides

When driving on the Interstate 5 highway in March - April drivers should be careful when passing by the Gorman Hills. Usually these hills seem to be naked, grey and deserted but in spring there happens miraculous change - steep hillsides colour in lively blue, yellow and orange tints. Better don't get carried away with the gorgeous sight and look at the road... or, if not in hurry, stop in suitable place and enjoy this primeval fairness. (Beware of rattlesnakes, especially later in the spring, starting from late March!)

Most common flower species here are the yellow California tickseeds (Coreopsis californica (Nuttall) H. Sharsmith), blue Bentham lupines (Lupinus benthamii A.Heller), blue bluehead gilias (Gilia capitata Sims) and lacy phacelias (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.).

Orange accents are added by the beautiful California poppies ((Eschscholzia californica Cham.) in many places forming larger golden colored meadows.

Floral displays differ from year to year. Sometimes, if there has been a dry winter, there are few flowers but then, if there comes a rainy winter (with rain exactly when needed), the "lost years" are made up leeway.

Public organisations have called for creation of preserve north from Gorman Post Road in order to protect the beautiful wildflower fields.