The recent wildfires took a devastating toll on Southern California, impacting both our urban communities and the wilderness areas surrounding them. 

For nature lovers, it can be heartbreaking to see once-lush ecosystems in areas like Eaton Canyon and the Pacific Palisades reduced to ash. But while recovery will likely be a long road, it’s comforting to remember that our native plants are extremely resilient and have evolved incredible adaptations for dealing with fire. In fact, some of them grow even better after the ashes settle.

So-called “fire followers” are plants that flourish after a blaze. Often boasting beautiful blooms, some germinate only when their seeds are exposed to heat, while others take advantage of the charred, mineral-rich soil left behind, helping to secure the land and reduce erosion. Here are a few you might see cropping up as our wildlands—and our communities—begin to heal

Bush mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus)

This pretty pink or white flowered plant requires heat for its seeds to germinate, so you’ll usually only find them in burn scars. They’re a tasty snack for grazing animals and beloved by pollinators, who sometimes nap in their cupped flowers.

Fire poppy (Papaver californicum)

Smoke helps trigger the germination of these vibrant but fleeting flowers. If you’re lucky, you might spot their vibrant blooms rising phoenix-like from the ashes in the spring after a fire. But not for long—they’ll soon go dormant again, as they await the next blaze.

Poodle dog bush (Eriodictyon parryi)

Look—but don’t touch!—this purple-flowered fire-follower. Most often found in higher-elevation areas, its delightful name comes from its resemblance to poodles—but its irritating hairs and oils can cause a rash that’s far from adorable.

Golden eardrops (Ehrendorferia chrysantha) 

These tall, aromatic golden flowers require fire to germinate. They were widespread in Southern California burn scars following the Woolsey fire, so there’s a good chance we’ll see them popping up again soon. 

Whispering bells (Emmenanthe penduliflora)

The only species in its genus, this plant is named after its lovely, bell-shaped flowers that rustle in the wind when dry. You’ll find them in chaparral ecosystems after they burn, as their seed germination is triggered by the presence of burned plant material. 

Lupines (several species) 

These purple-flowered beauties, which are part of the legume family, thrive in SoCal’s post-fire landscapes. Keep an eye out for Coulter’s lupine (Lupinussparsi florus), miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor), stinging lupine (Lupinus hirsutissimus) and other varieties in the coming months. 

Phacelias (several species)

Many members of this genus—including short lobed phacelia (Phacelia brachyloba), large flowered phacelia (Phacelia grandiflora), caterpillar Phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria) and Parry’s phacelia (Phacelia parryi)—are more common after fire, when their pretty purple and white flowers have extra room to bloom. 

Snapdragons (several species) 

Several species of colorful snapdragons also enjoy having more room to grow after fire. You might spot the Coulter’s snapdragon (Antirrhinum coulterianum) cropping up from charred soil, or the twining snapdragon (Antirrhinum kelloggii) twisting around burned branches. 

Mariposa lilies (several species) 

Though they look as delicate as their namesake butterflies, these hardy perennials are incredible at withstanding fire. With bulbs buried deep in the ground, species like the Catalina mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae) and yellow mariposa lily (Calochortus weedii var. weedii) easily survive blazes and take advantage of the plentiful sun and space afterwards.

Remember—as trails reopen and you head back to your favorite hiking spots, it’s extra important to stay on the designated trail at all times to protect vulnerable burn scars. 

For more info on fire and ecosystem recovery, head to treepeople.org/fire