Editing California (section)

=== Flora and fauna ===
California has extremely rich and diverse vegetation: approximately 40% of all native US species originate from the Pacific state. The northern area is characterized by large, virgin forests (with varieties of pine, fir, and redwood), while the Sierra Nevada (United States) features groves of ancient redwoods. Along the coastal strip, south of San Francisco Bay, typical prairie plants grow, which, inland, give way to chaparral, an evergreen vegetation that tolerates the arid climate. In the southeastern desert areas, there are cacti and shrubby plants, as well as the Joshua Tree, a particular species of lily with enormous, white flowers.

The variety of vegetation provides a natural habitat for many species. The southeastern deserts are populated by numerous animals, including coyotes, rabbits, foxes, various reptiles and insects in the desert areas, and felines and many bird species in the chaparral. The forests are home to deer, skunks, foxes, and rattlesnakes, as well as bears, elks, and pronghorns.