LAKEPORT, Calif. – Fairy lanterns, Ithuriel’s Spear, beardtongue – they sound like a new Hobbit movie.

How about Scarlet Pimpernel, Chinese houses, goldfield … Highland Springs is home to an astonishing number of native plants and species endemic to California, including some rare and endangered flowers.

The Highland Springs Trails Volunteers, along with their botanist friend Ed Dearing, have been leading walks this spring that cover trails that pass through oak woodlands, riparian, grey pine and chaparral habitats as well as areas of serpentine.

Whether you like the cool-sounding “common” names or you are interested in the botanical history and Latin names, the walks are lively and informative.

The last wildflower walk will take place this summer pending the bloom of a remote and hidden, yet accessible fairyland of California Tiger Lily.

For more information including meeting place, go to www.highlandspringstrailsvolunteers.com and contact the group.