These flowers are often visited by Anna’s hummingbirds (Calypte anna), native bees, as well as non-native European honeybees (Apis mellifera). It is likely that western leatherwoods are a relic from a much cooler, wetter period in California’s geologic history. Some naturalists have even speculated that the leatherwood’s slow rate of dispersal may be because the shrub’s native pollinator may now be extinct.
If you want see one of these beautiful evolutionary relics in person, check out the Grasshopper Loop Trail at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. This trail was carefully built so as to not disturb this population of western leatherwoods. But western leatherwoods aren’t the only plant that can add color to your January hikes. Also keep an eye out for other winter-flowering plants such as manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.), certain species of trillium and California pipevine (Aristolochia californica) — another rare plant.
Fun fact: Some people think that the yellow buds smell like red wine!