What is plant called? On Angel Island-grows at ground level&as shrub, long spikes of purple flowers.?

Question

Angel Island, California (in San Francisco Bay)

Photo can be seen at the following 2 urls:

http://www.angelisland.com/angel_island_facts/index.php

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marsi/2356094180/

Answer 1

This is tough.  Wait.

Which Angel Island?  There's one in California and one in Minnesota.

I think they're liatrises.  I can't be sure because of different species, but if you look up images of liatrises, they sure look like them.

Answer 2

Do you have a picture?  It may be liatis, lupines, or lavendar

Answer 3

Hi Flower Power,

It is called Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans).  It is a non-native plant that does well in moderate coastal climates.

I hope this helps.

Hiking Tony