Butterfly Valley Botanical Area

Designated as a botanical area in 1976, the Butterfly Valley is named for its resemblance to a butterfly shape as seen from aerial photos.  Located 3.5 miles north of Quincy on Hw 70/89 off of Blackhawk Road, this area includes a Nature Study of 5 species of plants including the California Pitcher Plant, a rare and unusual insect eating plant that only grows in scattered boggy areas from southern Oregon down through northern California.  Peak blooming season is May through July.  There are also 4 other species of insectivorous plants; 12 species of orchids, 24 species of plants in the Lily family, 9 species of ferns, as well as poppy, buttercup, wild rose and lady slipper.