$5.00 (Free to Members)

VOL. 35, NO. 4 • FALL 2007 FREMONTIA JOURNAL OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

SPECIAL ISSUE: CHAPARRAL CALIFORNIA CHAPARRAL MANZANITAS FREEZING AND CHAPARRAL PATTERNS CHAPARRAL AND FIRE CHAPARRAL BULBS AND FIRE THE COST OF LIVING WITH CHAPARRAL POST-FIRE RECOVERY OF CHAPARRAL IN SAN DIEGO

VOLUME 35:4, FALL 2007 CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FREMONTIA CNPS, 2707 K Street, Suite 1; Sacramento, CA 95816-5113 Phone: (916) 447-CNPS (2677) Fax: (916) 447-2727 VOL. 35, NO. 4, FALL 2007 Web site: www.cnps.org Email: [email protected] Copyright © 2007 MEMBERSHIP California Native Plant Society Membership form located on inside back cover; dues include subscriptions to Fremontia and the Bulletin Bart O’Brien, Editor Richarrd Halsey, Guest Editor Mariposa Lily ...... $1,500 Family or Group ...... $75 Benefactor ...... $600 International ...... $75 Bob Hass, Copy Editor Patron ...... $300 Individual or Library ...... $45 Beth Hansen-Winter, Designer Plant Lover ...... $100 Student/Retired/Limited Income . $25 Kathryn Blassey, Editorial Assistant Jake Sigg, Proofreader STAFF CHAPTER COUNCIL Sacramento Office: Jim Bishop (Chair), Larry Levine (Vice CALIFORNIA NATIVE Executive Director . Amanda Jorgenson Chair), Sarah Jayne (Secretary) PLANT SOCIETY Development Director . Melissa Cirone Alta Peak (Tulare) . . . . Joan Stewart Finance & Administration Manager . Bristlecone (Inyo-Mono) ...... Dedicated to the Preservation of Cari Porter Sherryl Taylor the California Native Flora Membership & Sales Coordinator . . . Channel Islands . . . . David Magney The California Native Plant Society Stacey Flowerdew Dorothy King Young (Mendocino/ (CNPS) is a statewide nonprofit organi- At Large: Sonoma Coast) . . . . . Lori Hubbart zation dedicated to increasing the un- Fremontia Editor . . . . . Bart O’Brien East Bay ...... Delia Taylor derstanding and appreciation of Califor- El Dorado ...... Amy Hoffman nia’s native plants, and to preserving Senior Conservation Botanist ...... Kern County ...... Lucy Clark them and their natural habitats for fu- position open ture generations. Rare Plant Botanist . . . . Kristi Lazar Los Angeles/Santa Monica Mtns . . . CNPS carries out its mission through Senior Vegetation Ecologist . . . Julie Betsey Landis science, conservation advocacy, educa- Evens Marin County ...... Bob Soost tion, and horticulture at the local, state, Vegetation Ecologist . . . . Anne Klein Milo Baker (Sonoma County) . . . . . and federal levels. It monitors rare and East Bay Conservation Analyst . . . . . Liz Parsons endangered plants and habitats; acts to Lech Naumovich Mojave Desert ...... Tim Thomas save endangered areas through public- Legislative Advocate . Vern Goehring Monterey Bay . . . . Rosemary Foster ity, persuasion, and on occasion, legal Legal Advisor ...... Sandy McCoy Mount Lassen ...... Catie Bishop action; provides expert testimony to Napa Valley ...... John Pitt government bodies; supports the estab- Website Coordinator . . Mark Naftzger lishment of native plant preserves; spon- CNPS Bulletin Editor ...... Bob Hass North Coast ...... Larry Levine sors workdays to remove invasive plants; North San Joaquin . . James Brugger and offers a range of educational activi- BOARD OF DIRECTORS Orange County ...... Sarah Jayne ties including speaker programs, field Brad Jenkins (President), Sue Britting Redbud (Grass Valley/Auburn) . . . . trips, native plant sales, horticultural (Vice President), Steve Hartman (Trea- Marie Bain workshops, and demonstration gardens. surer), Lynn Houser (Secretary). At Riverside/San Bernardino counties . . Since its founding in 1965, the tradi- Katie Barrows tional strength of CNPS has been its Large: Charli Danielsen, Dave Flietner, Diana Hickson, Arvind Kumar, David Sacramento Valley . . Diana Hickson dedicated volunteers. CNPS activities San Diego ...... Dave Flietner are organized at the local chapter level Magney, Spence McIntyre where members’ varied interests influ- San Gabriel Mtns . . . Gabi McLean ence what is done. Volunteers from the PROGRAM DIRECTORS San Luis Obispo . . . Lauren Brown 33 CNPS chapters annually contribute CNPS Press ...... Holly Forbes Sanhedrin (Ukiah) ...... Vishnu in excess of 87,000 hours (equivalent Conservation ...... position open Santa Clara Valley . . . Kevin Bryant to 42 full-time employees). Horticulture ...... Peigi Duvall Santa Cruz County . . . . Brett Hall CNPS membership is open to all. Posters ...... Bertha McKinley Sequoia (Fresno) . . . . . Peggy Jones Members receive the quarterly journal, Shasta . . . . . Susan Libonati-Barnes Fremontia, the quarterly statewide Bul- and Wilma Follette Rare Plants ...... position open Sierra Foothills (Tuolumne, Cala- letin, and newsletters from their local veras, Mariposa) . . . Patrick Stone CNPS chapter. Vegetation ...... Todd Keeler-Wolf South Coast (Palos Verdes) ...... MATERIALS FOR PUBLICATION Barbara Sattler DISCLAIMER: Tahoe ...... Michael Hogan The views expressed by authors published CNPS members and others are wel- come to contribute materials for publi- Willis L. Jepson (Solano) ...... in this journal do not necessarily reflect Mary Frances Kelly Poh established policy or procedure of CNPS, cation in Fremontia. See the inside back and their publication in this journal should cover for manuscript submission in- Yerba Buena (San Francisco) . . . . . not be interpreted as an organizational structions. Jo-Ann Ordano endorsement—in part or in whole—of their ideas, statements, or opinions. Printed by Premier Graphics: www.premiergraphics.biz

FREMONTIA VOLUME 35:4, FALL 2007 Classic Californian chamise-dominated chaparral on a granitic hillside in western Riverside County. All photographs by the author. CHAPARRAL: PURE CALIFORNIA by Richard W. Halsey

f there was ever a native plant com- favored habitat of the California griz- by some as only a fire threat, a risk munity in California that deserved zly bear, a magnificent animal that in need of constant mitigation. to be designated as the official state was last seen in 1924 near Sequoia The last time Fremontia dedi- ecosystem, chaparral would cer- National Park, the bear’s last refuge cated an entire issue to chaparral Itainly qualify. A shrub-dominated from a rapidly changing world. was in 1986. A significant amount habitat covering many of the state’s Unfortunately, many Califor- of new information has been re- mountainsides with a dense carpet nians do not recognize or appreciate vealed since then, changing our un- of green velvet, chaparral is found the remarkable natural resource derstanding of the chaparral’s rela- in every single county. Both the state value chaparral provides, but rather tionship to fire, its response to the bird, California quail, and the state view it with disdain, unaware of the Mediterranean-type climate in which flower, California poppy, can be system’s inherent beauty. Pejora- it thrives, and how best to manage it found within the chaparral’s exten- tively referred to as “brush” or “deca- during a time of expanding devel- sive range. Chaparral was also the dent vegetation,” chaparral is seen opment and global climate change.

2 FREMONTIA VOLUME 35:4, FALL 2007 It is time to pay another visit to California’s most extensive ecosys- tem.

CHAPARRAL BASICS Chaparral is a drought tolerant plant community dominated by sclerophyllous, woody shrubs and shaped by a Mediterranean-type cli- mate (summer drought and mild, wet winters) and naturally recur- ring wildfires. The term sclero- phyllous, meaning “hard-leaved,” was first coined by the German bota- nist Andreas F.W. Schimper in his classic 1898 text, “Plant Geography Upon a Physiological Basis.” Its most characteristic species, the fine-leaved chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), is the most widely distributed shrub in the state. Other species that help 50 different alliances (Keeler-Wolf define chaparral include manzanita et al. unpublished). These range (Arctostaphylos spp.), wild lilac (Cea- from types in which one shrub spe- nothus spp.), scrub oak (Quercus cies, such as chamise or ceanothus, spp.), mountain mahogany (Cerco- create almost pure stands over many carpus spp.) and silk-tassel bush acres, to various forms of mixed (Garrya spp.). chaparral, each with its own unique Chaparral dominates many foot- combination of plants. Highly en- hills and mountain slopes from the demic types have also been identi- Rogue River Valley in southwestern fied such as those found on serpen- Oregon, down through Califor- tine deposits in the Clear Creek area nia, to patches in Baja California’s of San Benito County. Sierra San Pedro Martir. Interesting When encountered and studied stands of chaparral also exist in mid- in the early 1900s by some land elevation areas in central and south- managers from the eastern United ern Arizona, such as those in the States, California shrublands vio- Catalina Mountains above Tucson. lated traditionally accepted patterns The essence of becoming a bota- of succession whereby shrubs were nist is to become familiar with indi- merely a transitional stage toward vidual plants so that both the famil- the development of a mature forest, iar and unfamiliar will stand out. not a climax community unto itself. “To be able to call the plants by Unlike forests, chaparral is auto- name makes them a hundredfold successional, meaning pioneer and more sweet and intimate,” wrote climax communities are basically the Henry Van Dyke in his 1895 collec- same. After the system has been dis- tion of essays titled “Little Rivers.” turbed by natural processes, the most Distinguishing between various common of which is fire, chaparral types of chaparral is an equally in- immediately begins to replace itself Top: Lichens growing on old growth chap- teresting task, turning what previ- through seeding and resprouting. In arral burls of mission manzanita (Xylo- ously appeared to be amorphous an attempt to correct this “prob- coccus bicolor), Bernardo Mountain, San green hillsides into distinctly differ- lem,” over one million conifers, a Diego County. • Middle: Flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum). • Bottom: ent vegetation communities. In pur- substantial share of which were non- Manzanita, the definitive chaparral shrub. suit of this endeavor, a recent CNPS native, were planted in the San Mexican manzanita (Arctostaphylos pun- organized effort has identified over Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles gens), Descanso, San Diego County.

VOLUME 35:4, FALL 2007 FREMONTIA 3 County during the 1920s. Most were have remained unburned for a cen- arral is adapted to fire,” both of eventually killed by fire or drought, tury or more, groves of manzanita which incorrectly imply that with- convincing foresters to let nature be can grow up to 20 feet tall, with out frequent fire, chaparral will dis- and allow chaparral to protect the thick, shiny red trunks, creating re- appear. region’s watersheds naturally. markably beautiful old-growth chap- While fire plays an intimate role This does not mean, however, arral stands. Such communities are in shaping chaparral systems, fire at that succession is completely absent extremely rare in the southern part the wrong time or frequency can in chaparral. As most botanists ea- of the state today because of in- eliminate them. This fact has been gerly anticipate, the first year or two creased fire frequency from human known for years by ranchers who after a fire, recovering chaparral activity. Consequently, the best ex- have endeavored to “improve” and stands explode with a remarkable amples remain in central and north- expand pastures by repeatedly burn- variety of herbaceous growth and ern parts of California where mois- ing native shrublands. Native Ameri- colorful wildflowers. Usually within ture levels are higher and fires are cans likely did the same in order to ten years, the canopy closes and less frequent. encourage the growth of herbaceous shrubs dominate the scene again. plants that produced edible seeds On drier, south facing hillsides, the MISCONCEPTIONS and increased deer populations. In community can be dominated by the southern part of the state where obligate-seeding, woody shrub spe- Possibly because chaparral re- fire frequency has increased dramati- cies like Ceanothus (obligate seeders search and fire ecology are relatively cally over the past century, vast ar- recolonize post-burn sites by seed young fields, a significant number eas of chaparral have been converted germination alone). As time goes of misconceptions about California to non-native, weedy grasslands (see on, individual shrubs will drop out, chaparral plant communities con- Keeley article in this issue for more frequently due to drought stress, tinue to persist. The most common information on fire regimes in Cali- with gaps in the canopy being filled deal with fire and include assump- fornia chaparral). in by surrounding species. On tions such as “chaparral needs to In contrast, there has been no moister, north facing slopes that burn to remain healthy” and “chap- compelling research indicating that

A tunnel through an old-growth chaparral stand of Ramona lilac (Ceanothus tomentosus) in San Diego County.

4 FREMONTIA VOLUME 35:4, FALL 2007 long fire-return intervals tems at all, but chaparral. are harmful to the ecologi- In fact, more than 90% of cal health or vitality of the Cleveland National chaparral plant communi- Forest is covered by na- ties. In fact, extended fire- tive shrublands. Changing free periods are required for the name of some of these the seeds of many chapar- public lands to National ral plants to germinate suc- Chaparral Recreational cessfully, for specialized li- Areas may begin to help chen colonies to form, and Californians properly rec- for old-growth stands to ognize the native plant create the type of habitat communities in which that would have been fa- they live. vored by the grizzly bear There are a number (Keeley et al. 2005, of remarkable chaparral Knudsen and Magney stands across the state. 2006, Storer and Tevis One exists on the north 1955). side of Guatay Mountain Another misconception in San Diego County. The that is frequently found in local Kumeyaay Indians various reports and articles call it Na-wa Ti’e and be- is that chaparral shrubs This large big-berry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) was killed lieve it is protected by a produce allelopathic toxins outright by a fire. spirit guardian. For fear that prevent the emergence of angering Na-wa Ti’e, in- of seedlings beneath the shrub “senescence” would be clearly inap- habitants in the village that once canopy. Allelopathy is often cited to propriate. occupied the valley below never ven- support the belief that “chaparral The unique natural resource tured up the mountain’s slopes. Leg- needs to burn” because fire is sup- value old-growth chaparral provides end has it that the mountain has posed to rid the soil of accumulated Californians demonstrates why mis- never burned because of the poisons. Not only is this untrue but understandings about fire can be so guardian’s watchful eyes. Today, it many of the identified toxins actu- damaging. If land managers and remains a sacred place, both for the ally increase in post-fire environ- private citizens believe chaparral Kumeyaay and those who value the ments. With a few possible excep- “needs” fire and that it is a “good unique natural resources that can tions, seeds of chaparral species are thing” when it burns, then beauti- be found there. On its northern ex- innately dormant with their germi- ful, legacy manzanitas and ancient posure resides the last, ancient nation stimulated by particular fire chaparral stands are perceived as Tecate cypress (Cupressus forbesii) cues, not the removal of inhibiting having little value. In addition, the grove in California and one of the soil chemicals (Halsey 2004). threat of converting native shrub- last, intact old-growth stands of While the phrase “old-growth” lands to non-native grasslands due chaparral in the region. is commonly invoked to inspire the to increased fire frequency is not Punching out of a dense, eight- vision of ancient forests, it is equally adequately recognized. foot thick carpet of Eastwood man- valid for use in describing many zanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa), mature chaparral stands. With cupleaf ceanothus (Ceanothus greg- trunks of toyon and manzanita more CHAPARRAL ACROSS gii), and scrub oak (Quercus berber- than waist thick, gnarled stems of CALIFORNIA idifolia) are islands of 20-foot tall, ceanothus supporting canopies filled multi-trunked canyon live oak (Quer- with blue and white blossoms high There is little mystery why chap- cus chrysolepis). above, and twisted branches of arral is not as well known as many The vigorous Tecate cypress chamise covered with wildly color- other native California plant com- grove is at least 145 years old (Gautier ful displays of lichen, the richly de- munities; the name is more com- and Zedler 1980). These trees are scriptive phrase “old-growth” is monly used to identify everything truly remarkable with their thin, red- more than suitable. If one were to from housing developments to her- dish bark, large trunks, and fine, closely examine the diversity of all bal remedies. The four Southern scale-like leaves. They can reach up life thriving in such ancient land- California National Forests are ac- to 30 feet and form an airy canopy scapes, words like “decadent” and tually not dominated by forested sys- decorated with quarter-sized cones

VOLUME 35:4, FALL 2007 FREMONTIA 5 that remain closed until the parent to release urn-shaped blossoms in found in Ione manzanita tissue. An- branch dies either by fire or injury. late winter. Randomly scattered be- other fungus that causes root and Although they have been labeled as tween the olive-green shrubs is the crown rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi) fire-dependent, multiple fires in other occasional sticky whiteleaf manza- was found to be infecting the plants groves have seriously compromised nita (Arctostaphylos viscida) stand- in 2001. Drought stress may be the the reproductive success of the spe- ing out with its contrasting lighter primary cause of the problem with cies in California. Therefore, it is bet- color. Combined with the varied fo- fungal infections dealing the final ter to view the Tecate cypress, as liage and unusual soil hues, the area blow. Whatever the cause for the well as all other plants that have some takes on a quality best described by die off, the future of the remaining type of fire-adaptive reproductive the brush of an Impressionistic stands of Ione manzanita chaparral trait, as “fire regime sensitive.” Fire painter. is questionable. is a disruptive force that can have First identified in 1886 by various impacts depending on its time Charles Parry, Ione manzanita sur- CHAPARRAL BY THE SEA of arrival. vives on a patchwork of sites total- ing approximately 1,000 acres, por- The Elfin Forest Preserve in Los ISOLATED TREASURES tions of which are being preserved Osos, right across the bay from through a cooperative effort between Morro Rock, is a model example of Clinging on to a geological is- landowners and various interested how a group of dedicated individu- land near the central California town parties (including CNPS). Currently als can restore a seriously damaged of Ione, a unique type of chaparral the Bureau of Land Management ecosystem and protect it for future named after the town struggles to (BLM) manages two reserves of 86 generations. Due to the efforts of maintain its grip. Abandoned min- and 20 acres, each with CalTrans local residents, the 90-acre maritime ing activity and road cuts expose managing populations along its chaparral landscape was purchased the soils upon which the commu- right-of-way. Large portions of Ione between 1987 and 1994. Although nity exists—fine, white sands and chaparral are on the private Arroyo many ancient pygmy coastal live strange layers of ancient marine sedi- Seco Ranch whose owners have ex- oaks (Quercus agrifolia), endemic ments laid down 35 to 57 million pressed an interest in protecting the Morro manzanitas (Arctostaphylos years ago during the Eocene. All endangered system. morroensis), and wedgeleaf ceano- share high levels of acidity, lots of Unfortunately, large mats of Ione thus (Ceanothus cuneatus) remained aluminum, and poor fertility. manzanita have been dying through- in the lower, relatively pristine por- Covering the ground in low out its small range, leaving behind tion of the preserve, a large area had mounds are the intermingled mats only pale, woody skeletons. The die- been severely compromised by mo- of Ione manzanita (Arctostaphylos back appears to have been occur- torcyclists and non-native veldt grass myrtifolia), the characteristic spe- ring at least since 1988. According (Ehrharta calycina). Through stead- cies of this isolated patch of fragile to George Hartwell, a talented natu- fast volunteer efforts, the area is re- ecology. In fall the mats are covered ralist who once lived in the area, the covering nicely. with bright red, nascent inflores- fungus responsible for madrone can- A walk along the preserve’s cences, immature flower buds ready ker (Fusicoccum aesculi) has been boardwalk is like traveling back in time, when large portions of coastal Ione chaparral featuring the endangered Ione manzanita (Arctostaphylos myrtifolia). California were covered with the varied and colorful foliage of a mari- time form of mixed chaparral shaped by ocean influences. Yellows from mock heather (Ericameria ericoides), subtle grays from California sage- brush (Artemisia californica), and creamy whites, scarlet reds, and lu- pine purples decorate the landscape like floral confetti. At one juncture along the way, you’ll find a bronze plaque dedi- cated to the Fairbanks family. The reason for its presence is clear. It is a tribute to Jeff and Ann Fairbanks, along with their three daughters,

6 FREMONTIA VOLUME 35:4, FALL 2007 Courtney, Galen, and Siena, who were strong supporters of protect- ing the Elfin Forest. “The beauty of this county is one of the major rea- sons for living here,” Jeff wrote as the editor of the local Telegram-Tri- bune newspaper. “We are all respon- sible for it.” The plaque also reminds us of the fragility of life. Jeff, Ann, and their daughter Siena lost their lives in a horrible traffic accident in 1995. “Stand here for a moment,” the dedi- cation concludes, “close your eyes and see the Elfin Forest through a child’s eyes. That is Siena’s view.”

THE FUTURE Chaparral provides the closest and easiest way many Californians The Elfin Forest Preserve in Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, features the endemic Morro have to make contact with nature. manzanita (Arctostaphylos morroensis) in the middle ground of this photograph. Exploring it, studying its remark- able botanical diversity, and sharing Record low moisture levels have ing others do the same is the key to its beauty with others are essential if changed that, as well as changing their continued existence, especially we intend to preserve the continued fire patterns throughout the West. those that are underappreciated. vitality and survival of chaparral as Although extended droughts well as that of other native plant have occurred in the past, this time REFERENCES communities. things are different. California’s Although at present there may population has increased dramati- Gautier, C. and P. Zedler. 1980. Re- appear to be a significant amount of cally, and human activity is now search natural area proposal: Guatay chaparral in California, continuing having a significant impact on the Mountain, Descanso District, Cleve- drought conditions, increased fire redistribution of native plant com- land National Forest. Unpublished frequencies, and ignorance about the munities because humans cause report on file, Pacific Southwest Re- search Station, Albany, CA. system can easily change that over most of the fires. As a consequence, Halsey, R.W. 2004. In search of allel- the next 100 years. If current drought anthropogenic fire in shrubland sys- opathy: an eco-historical view of the conditions are a reflection of the tems is unnaturally accelerating eco- investigation of chemical inhibition ongoing change in global climate, system change, seriously compro- in California coastal sage scrub and California may witness a dramatic mising normally resilient native chamise chaparral. Journal of the Tor- redistribution of native plant com- habitats. Such change will likely be rey Botanical Society 131:343–367. munities over the next century. one of California’s most challenging Keeley, J.E., A.H. Pfaff and H.D. Safford. In Southern California, experi- environmental issues for years to 2005. Fire suppression impacts on enced wildland firefighters are not- come. post-fire recovery of Sierra Nevada ing large populations of scrub oak, Although there is not much we chaparral shrublands. International ceanothus, and chamise dying from can do about long-term drought, we Journal of Wildland Fire 14:255–265. Knudsen, K. and D. Magney. 2006. Rare desiccation in numbers they have do have the ability to encourage the lichen habitats and rare lichen spe- never seen before. Vegetation mois- development of appropriate land cies of Ventura County, California. ture levels dropped to record lows management plans designed to pro- Opuscula Philolichenum 3:49–52. this past summer, which led to tect the native landscapes we love. Storer, T.I. and L.P. Tevis Jr. 1995. Cali- highly unusual wildfires. The light- Our success depends a lot on aware- fornia Grizzly. University of Califor- ning-caused July blaze in the Inyo ness. This is why your interest in nia Press, Berkeley, CA. National Forest burned more than the natural world and the efforts of 35,000 acres, a place that was once the California Native Plant Society Richard Halsey, California Chaparral In- referred to as the “asbestos forest” are so important; learning to enjoy stitute, PO Box 545, Escondido, CA 92033. because of its resistance to burning. native plant communities and help- [email protected]

VOLUME 35:4, FALL 2007 FREMONTIA 7