Instructions - how to use the species query page

The Calflora Database contains information on 7500+ ferns, conifers and flowering plants known to be native or naturalized in the wild in California. Our species database also contains 700+ records for species-level plants (so called "parent" records) where two or more subspecies occur in California, bringing the total number of taxon records to more than 8000. Parent level records include characteristics from all "child" subspecies.

Our basic search form allows you to search by family name, common name, scientific name, county, elevation range, growth form, native status, rarity status, plant community, and more.

To find a specific plant (or a list of plants) that match your criteria:

• Calflora contains information on wild California plants. It does not contain information on all plants cultivated in California, only those that exist in the wild in California.

• You do not need to fill in all fields on the search form. Filling in more fields will narrow your search and produce fewer results. Filling in fewer fields will broaden your search and produce more results. If your search becomes too narrow, or you fill in mutualy exclusive fields (i.e. Rare native plants that are noxious weeds) you will find zero results.

• If you wish to select more than one option from a list, hold down the ctrl (Win) or shift (Mac) button on your keyboard. Multiple selections with be "OR'ed" together in a non-exclusive search.

• Look for links in the search results to more information from Calflora and other sources.

• To create a checklist of all plants matching your criteria, select any character and fill it out, except plant name. example: select "Marin county" and "ferns" to see a list of ferns that are known from the wild in Marin County. Select "Native plants", "perrenial plants" and "Redwood forest" to see the native perennial plants that might be suitable for growing under redwoods.

• There is an Advanced Query Form available for more complex searches on other criteria, such as noxious weed status, soil/substrate specificity, or wetland indicator status.

• If you seem to be getting no results when you believe you should, press the 'reset' button to clear the form and try your search again. If you still are having trouble, please contact us.

• If you have a complex query that can not be performed on our web forms, such as "What plants are common to both Alameda and Marin Counties, but absent from Contra Costa County?" please contact us with your detailed question and we will try to assist you.

• You can get help accessing this information by emailing us here: CONTACT