March flowers

Once again I have Michelle and Kyle to thank for sharing some spring wildflowers with me...and with you!  Here are two highlights from a walk last weekend near Occidental.

 

 

Few-flowered Collinsia or Spinster's Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia sparsiflora)

 

 

California Saxifrage (Micranthes californica, formerly Saxifraga californica)

I was especially intrigued by the saxifrage flowers (below).  I think the colorful structures are the stamens — the male reproductive parts that release pollen.  However, what's the difference between the red and purple stages?  Are the little red parts (that look a bit like hearts) "covers" that will eventually fall off to reveal the purple and orange parts below?  (Is the orange pollen?)  If you know, please write in!