rare plants of the central valley california native plant society workshop – february 15, 2011...
TRANSCRIPT
Rare Plantsof the
Central ValleyCalifornia Native Plant SocietyWorkshop – February 15, 2011
Carol W. Witham
Workshop Outline
• Lecture Presentations– Introduction/Orientation– CNPS Online Inventory
• Handouts/Cheatsheets– Lasthenia– Endangered VP Grasses– Juncus– Limnanthes– Downingia
• Photographic Tours– Delta, Floodplain and Riparian – Alkali Mesic Grasslands– (Non-alkali) Grasslands– Vernal Pools
• Laboratory Exercises– Lasthenia– Endangered Grasses– Juncus (quiz)
• Closing Discussions– Course evaluations
Delta, Floodplain and Riparian
selected rare plants ofbrackish and freshwater marshes
and riparian scrub and forest
Delta, Floodplain and Riparian
Limosella subulata•Scrophulariaceae (???)•Leaves not septated
Lilaeopsis masonii•Apiaceae•Leaves septated
Mixed stand of Lilaeopsis & Limosella•Occurs primarily on intertidal mudflats, butcan occur in rip-rapped areas•Best surveyed for by boat during low tide
© Rob Preston
© Aaron Arthur
Delta, Floodplain and Riparian
Hibiscus lasiocarpusvar. occidentalis•Marshes•Often in areas with tidalinfluence
Cordylanthus mollis ssp. mollis•Coastal salt or brackishmarshes•Suisun Marsh
Cirsium hydrophilumvar. hydrophilum•Salt marshes•Suisun Marsh
© Kristiaan Stuart © Doug Wirtz © Doug Wirtz
Delta, Floodplain and Riparian
Eryngium racemosum•Riparian scrub•Primarily San Joaquin delta,often alkaline
Lathyrus jepsoniivar. jepsonii•Fresh or brackishmarshes•Riparian scrub
Aster lentus(Symphyotrichum lentum)•Fresh and brackishmarshes•Suisun Marsh
© James Reiter© Mark Fogiel
© Chris Winchell
Alkali Mesic Grasslands
selected rare plants ofalkali mesic grasslands
including scalds and slickspots
Alkali Mesic Grassland
Atriplex cordulata•Erect•Branched below•Scalds, playas andalkaline vernal pools
Atriplex erecticaulis•Erect•Branched above & below•Scalds, playas & pools
Atriplex persistens•Erect•Staminate flowers interminal spikes•Alkali vernal pools
© Chris Winchell
© Rob Preston © Rob Preston
Alkali Mesic Grassland
Atriplex miniscula•Prostrate •Scalds, playas & pools
Atriplex depressa•Prostrate•Leaves 2 ranked•Scalds, playas & pools
© Rob Preston
© Rob Preston
Alkali Mesic Grassland
Atriplex joaquiniana•Erect•Fruit resembles fluted vase •Scalds, playas & pools
Atriplex subtilis•Generally prostrate•Scalds, playas & pools
© Rob Preston© Zoya Akulova
Alkali Mesic Grassland
Cordylanthus palmatus•Soft hairs <1mm•Mesic grasslands
Cordylanthus mollis ssp. hispidus•Stiff hairs >1mm•Mesic grasslands and playas
© Rob Preston
© Doug Wirtz
Alkali Mesic Grassland
Astragalus tener•var. tener – short pods•var. ferrisiae – long pods with pseudostipe
Lepidium latipes var. heckardii•stiff hairs >1mm•mesic grasslands
© Carol Witham
© Carol Witham
(Alluvial Terrace) Grasslands
selected rare plants of(non-alkali) grasslands
terraces above the valley floor
Grasslands
Castilleja rubicundulassp. rubicundula•Pink corolla•Open grassland, oftenserpentinite
Monardella douglasiissp. venosa•Open grasslands, usuallyin heavy clay•Recently rediscovered inButte County
Delphinium recurvatum•Mesic grassland, sometimes alkaline
© Vernon Smith
© George Hartwell
© Aaron Schustell
Grasslands
Astragalus rattaniivar. jepsonianus•Grassland, oak woodlandoften serpentinite
Calycadenia hooveri•Grassland, oak woodland,generally rocky•Blooms July-September•Eastern San Joaquin Valley
Calycadenia oppositifolia•Grassland openings invarious habitats•Butte County endemic
© Roxanne Bittman © Neal Kramer
© George Hartwell
Grasslands
Fritillaria agrestis•Style branched•Nectaries prominent•Unpleasant odor
Fritillaria liliacea•Style branched•Nectaries obscure•Odorless or faintly fragrant
Fritillaria pluriflora•Style entire•Odorless
© Kelly Bougher
© Carol Witham
© John Dittes
Grasslands
Lotus rubriflorus(Acmispon rubriflorus)•Red flowers•Grasslands & Woodlands
Paronychia ahartii•Mesic grassland, usuallyvolcanics•Also woodlands & shallow vernal pools
© CNPS
© Carol Witham
Vernal Pools
Chamaesyce hooveri•Summer blooming•Large playa-like pools
Grasses in Orcuttieae•Summer blooming•No ligule•Sticky/acidic exudate
© Carol Witham
© Carol Witham
© Carol Witham
© Chris Winchell
Vernal Pools
Downingia pusilla•Flowers < 2 mm•2 color morphs withdifferent corolla shape•Areas of low competition
Legenere limosa•Often apetalus•Note peduncle belowinferior ovary•Multiple pool types
© Carol Witham
© Janell Hillman
Vernal Pools
Gratiola heterosepala•3 sepals form a 2-thumbedmitten•2 corolla lobes yellow•Areas of low competition
Gratiola ebracteata
© Carol Witham
© Carol Witham
Vernal Pools
Limnanthes floccosa ssp. californica•Endemic to Butte County•Petals are supposed to have a ring of hairs at the base•Occurs in vernal pools
Limnanthes floccosa ssp. floccosa•More widespread•Note hairiness of outer sepal surface•Most often occurs in vernal swales
© Carol Witham© Rob Preston
Vernal Pools
Juncus leiospermus var. ahartii•Seeds not striate @ 10x•Single fruits•Mostly vernal swales
Juncus leiospermusvar. leiospermus•Seeds not striate @ 10x•Multiple fruits•Mostly vernal swales
Juncus digitatus•Seeds striate @ 10x•Multiple fruits•Cascade foothills
© Carol Witham
© Carol Witham
© John Dittes
Workshop Wrap-up
• Juncus id quizA. __________________B. __________________C. __________________D. __________________E. __________________F. __________________
• Essay questions– When and how of rare plant
surveys– Take home message is why
• Course evaluation
• Resources– CalPhotos, but user beware!– CNPS Online Inventory