Crimson Snow Plant

The bright crimson snow plant (officially named Sarcodes) has a unique shape and ecology and is found in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and California from late April to early summer (flowering time varies depending on snow cover and elevation).

It’s easy to find because it’s bright red.

There is no widespread crowding, but there are often two to five clumps of them growing together.

It’s about 4-8 inches tall and 2-3 inches wide. A similar species seems to be “Ginkgo Biloba” in Japan though the color is different. It is very mysterious when you look at it closely.

(Photographs were taken in the trail in front of Marilyn’s Pond in Galena Creek Regional Park on May 13th, 2017. Please note that contact and collection of these protected plants are subject to fines.)