Wildflowers, Watercolor & Wonder: The Edward Stuhl Collection

Wildflowers, Watercolor & Wonder: The Edward Stuhl Collection is an exhibit in collaboration with CSU Chico's Meriam Library Special Collections. Due to the COVID-19 closure, the exhibit is stored for safe-keeping until we reopen. We invite you to explore our virtual exhibit of this beautiful collection.

Edward Stuhl (1887 - 1984) was a Hungarian born hiker and painter who settled in the Mount Shasta region as the custodian of the Sierra Club's Alpine Lodge in the early 20th century after traveling throughout Germany, eastern Europe, and Mexico. Living and working near Mt. Shasta for 30 years, Stuhl became an expert on the natural history of the region and spent much of his life hiking and camping on the mountain and throughout northern California. He carried with him a pack full of paintbrushes and canvases, documenting the flora he encountered through watercolor paintings that are still used by naturalists as visual guides to northern California wildflowers.

In 1985, Stuhl's paintings, journals, and photographs were donated to California State University, Chico's Meriam Library Special Collections. This exhibit highlights a selection of Stuhl's works that capture species local to the landscapes of the Chico, California region and surrounding communities.

Explore the slideshow of paintings and see if you recognize any of the plants from your own neighborhood or hikes in our area!

Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow) & Collomia grandiflora (Large-Flowered Collomia) are found in grasslands and open forests across the Northern Hemisphere. Notice that the scientific name Stuhl used, Achillea lanulosa, is not the name we use today. Scientific names help naturalists understand how one species may be related to another and can provide information about the characteristics of that species. As we learn more about how species are related, their scientific names may change, which is why this yarrow species is known by a different name than Stuhl had used. You’ll see more of these name changes in other paintings of this exhibit.

Fritillaria recurva (Scarlet Fritillary) is found in chaparral and mountain woodlands in southwest Oregon and California.

Iris douglasiana (Douglas Iris) is abundant in grasslands along the coast of California and into Oregon.

Rudbeckia californica (California Coneflower) is found in meadows and seeps in California.

Sarcodes sanguinea (Snow plant) is a parasitic plant that receives necessary nutrients from fungi attached to tree roots. It is found in forests in California, Oregon, Nevada, and northern Baja California.

Eschscholzia california (California Poppy), the state flower of California, is found in the western United States across a broad range of habitats.

Cercis occidentalis (Western Red Bud) is found in the foothills and mountains of California, Arizona and Utah. While this painting shows the large seed pods it produces, you can recognize it in spring by its small, bright magenta flowers.

Solidago elongata (West Coast Goldenrod) is found in mountain ranges along western North America. Horkelia fusca (Pinewoods Horkelia or Pinwheeels) is found at high elevation rocky slopes, meadows, and forests in the western United States.

Calochortus macrocarpus (Sagebrush Mariposa Lily) is found on volcanic soil in sagebrush scrub and forests in northwestern North America.

Diplacus longiflorus (Southern Bush Monkeyflower) is found in chaparral and coastal sage scrub in southern California and northern Baja California.Fritillaria affinis (Checker Lily), previously known as Fritillaria lanceolata, occurs across a wide range of elevations from sea level to mountain treelines, in the western coastal states of North America.

Berberis piperiana (Oregon Grape) is found in western North America in mountain foothills and woodlands.

Sisyrinchium bellum (Western Blue-Eyed Grass) is a fire-resistant species found in grassy areas and woodlands throughout California and into Oregon. Sisyrinchium californicum (California Golden-Eyed Grass) is found in freshwater marshes and coastal areas from central California to British Columbia. Prunella vulgaris (Selfheal) is an edible plant found in forests, meadows and wetlands across much of North America.

Arctostaphylos nevadensis (Pinemat Manzanita) is found on rocky slopes in the mountains of the western United States. Occasional fires are important for seed germination.Ceanothus velutinus (Snowbrush) is an evergreen shrub found in open forests and chaparral habitats throughout North America.

Ceanothus cordulatus (Mountain Whitethorn or Snow Bush) is found in California, Nevada and Southwest Oregon on dry, open flats and rocky slopes. Purshia tridentata (Antelope Brush) is slow-growing shrub found across western North America and is an important high-quality food source for wildlife.

Arctostaphylos patula (Greenleaf Manzanita)is a shrub found at high elevations of western North America and can tolerate very cold winters. Rosa gymnocarpa (Wood Rose) is found in forests, mountain grasslands, and chaparral of western North America. The red-orange rosehips are an important food source for wildlife.

Ericameria nauseosa (Rubber Rabbitbrush), previously known as Chrysanthamnus occidentalis, is found in cold, dry environments across western North America. Eriogonum marifolium (Small-leaved Buckwheat) is found in the sandy mountain soils of the Sierra Nevada and Klamath mountains of California and out into Oregon and Nevada.

Eriogonoum polypodum (Foxtail Buckwheat) grows in high mountain forests of southern California. It is endemic to California, which means it has only been found here. Lupinus lyallii (Dwarf Mountain Lupine) can be found across western North America, but only in high alpine habitats.

Prunus emarginata (Bitter Cherry) is found along slopes and stream banks in mountain ranges across western North America. As the name suggests, the fruits are edible but taste bitter. Chrysolepis chrysophylla (Golden Chinquapin) can occur as a tree or shrub in the mountain ranges of north-coast California and the Pacific Northwest. Symphoricarpos mollis (Creeping Snowberry), previously known as Symphoricarpos acutus, creeping snowberry is found in forests and chaparral in western North America.

Lupinus obtusilobus (Shasta lupine), previously known as Lupinus ornatus, is endemic to California and grows in various types of mountain habitat. Ericameria bloomeri (Bloomer's rabbitbush or Goldenweed), previously known as Chrysothamnus bloomeri, is a resin-producing mountain shrub that grows in high mountain forests of western North America.

More resources to explore:

Documenting our natural history is an important part of studying and preserving species diversity. Botanical illustrators like Stuhl help to create field guides and keys that aid in plant identification. Botanists also collect plant specimens that are pressed and preserved on sheets of paper to be stored in plant libraries called herbaria. Scientists and naturalists use these resources to find new plant species and learn more about their region’s environment. Use the links below to learn more about botanical illustration, plant collection, and spe cimen preservation!

Edward Stuhl Collection(opens in new window): view the entire digitized collection of over 300 of Edward Stuhl’s watercolors, housed by Special Collections of CSU Chico’s Meriam Library. Do you recognize any of the plants Stuhl painted on his travels throughout California?

Botanical Illustation(opens in new window): Learn to draw plants in your own backyard or neighborhood, or try recreating Stuhl’s work using another another medium like crayons, colored pencils, or even clay to make your own 3-D version!

Herbarium Specimens: Through the California Consortium of Herbaria(opens in new window) you can view plants collected from the late 19th century through today. Browse digitized specimen images or conduct searches for any species. You can view specimens from any source including CSU Chico’s own herbarium(opens in new window)!

Pressing Plants at Home (PDF): This guide will teach you how to preserve plants and their flowers! A properly stored plant specimen, like those found in herbaria, can last for hundreds of years and provide valuable scientific information. What plants can you find in your yard to press?