This spring and summer, the burn scar from the 2022 Sheep Fire in Wrightwood is still visible along Hwy 2, which has naturally bloomed with prominent growth of plants, including the much-talked-about poodle dog bush.
Folks driving up Hwy 2 toward Wrightwood can view the hillside, which is currently covered with gorgeous tall, wispy purple flowers as far as the eye can see in some areas, called poodle dog bush (Eriodictyon parryi).
This California mountain shrub species grows mostly in areas that have been disturbed by fire. The rupturing of the seed coat can be induced by heat from a fire, allowing water to enter the seed and start the process of germination.
The name poodle dog bush comes from the way it looks when it dries and falls to the ground; it looks like curly hair, resembling a poodle’s natural curl.
View these beauties with your eyes, not your hands. Experts say this plant should not be touched as it secretes a severe skin irritant. One local to Wrightwood developed blisters on his hands after touching these flowers, which seem to beckon those that come upon them for the first time. Another person’s hands became itchy for a couple of days, similar to stinging nettle plants or poison oak.
