Riparian Habitat Wild Cucumber Marah macrocarpus Riparian is a word that means Wild Cucumber is a vine-like perennial that "with water." The little creek under the bridge grows each year from a massive taproot. The The Plants of flows nearly year-round. This creates an large leaves are heart-shaped. Straight to spi- important water-reliant ecosystem for many raled tendrils loop off of the stem and wrap plants and animals. around other plants or objects to support the Jack’s Pond plant off the ground. The cucumbers" are Broadleaf Cattail Typha latifolia large, green, spiny fruits which are also called Cattails are medium-sized water plants that porcupine eggs. The fruit is eaten by small grow from Oregon to Baja and across the US. mammals such as ground squirrels and Julian Cervantes’ They provide habitat for local wildlife such as wood rats. red-winged blackbirds and frogs. Each spike Eagle Scout Project contains a million wind-borne seeds. Australian Invasion The tallest trees in the park are Eucalyptus Summer 2015 Watercress Rorippa nasturtium-aguaticum trees, native to Australia. These fast growing Troop 651 This edible, low-growing plant flourishes in a trees were brought to the US to be grown for www.troop651.net riparian habitat. It has large green leaves and is railroad ties, but the wood was unsuitable for a member of the mustard family. this purpose. The trees thrive in our dry, mild climate. Coast Live Oak Quercus agrifolia White Sage Salvia apiana This large, green leafed, tree is one of the few White sage is a common shrub in Southern species of oak native to coastal regions only California and Baja California. The seeds of this inhabiting the California coast. These trees can plant were used as a food source for Native live upwards of 250 years. American groups. Arroyo Willow Salix lasiolepis Cleveland Sage Salvia clevelandii This willow has dark green leaves and pale, This plant is a common plant in California gray-brown bark. It grows in the wet soils of coastal sagebrush ecosystems. While it is very stream banks. The huge root system of this similar to other plants in its genus, it does strong tree anchors it, even during swift floods. produce unique violet-blue flowers. There are two other species of willow near the pond. California Bulrush Scirpus californicus Typically grows in 1 2' high thickets. Common California Sycamore Platanus racemosa Mountain Mahogany Cercocarpus ledifolius Sycamores are deciduous trees that can reach in allow marshy areas and ponds. The flow- A tall branching plant that can reach up to 10’ 75' in height and more than 200 years of age. spikelets hang from the top of the stems. in height. The leathery, dark, and sticky leaves The trees have wide leaning trunks and broad he seeds, roots, and stems are important of this plant was used for many different leaf canopies. The 4-10' long leaves are food for mammals and birds. medicinal purses by Native Americans. palmate (hand-shaped), resembling maple leaves. Matilija Poppy Romneya coulteri Poison Oak Toxicodendron diversilobum This shrub has gray-green leaves and large Poison oak is a multi-stemmed deciduous flowers. The flowers resemble fried eggs with shrub or vine that is common in shade. The their white petals and bright yellow centers. It leaves are 3" long and grow in clusters of three is very drought tolerant after the first year of to five. They turn red in the fall. Poison oak can growth. cause severe dermatitis (itchy rash) in people through contact via an oil covering on the Coastal Sagebrush Artemisia califomica Coffeeberry Rhamnus californica surface. If you have come in contact with Coastal sagebrush, also called California Coffeeberry is an evergreen, fast-growing shrub poison oak, wash the affected area and avoid sagebrush is not a true sage and is a member of that attracts butterflies and birds. Its dark spreading it further by not handling any the sunflower family. It is drought-deciduous berries resemble coffee beans. clothing that may have touched the plant. (it will drop its leaves during times of little Dried or dead sticks and leaves from the plant rainfall). The feathery, gray-green leaves have can also cause skin irritation. a pleasant sage-like aroma. This important plant provides nesting habitat for the Laurel Sumac Malosma laurina California Gnatcatcher, an endangered bird of This large evergreen shrub is a member of the the coastal sage scrub community. cashew family that can live to be 50 years old. The leaves are thin, leathery and aromatic. The Mission Manzanita Xylococcus bicolor Lemonadeberry Rhus integrifolia leaves fold up the middle and are shaped like a This evergreen shrub is found only in west San This evergreen medium-sized shrub has thick, taco shell. Diego County chaparral. It grow to 10' in height leathery leaves about 1-2 I /2" long. and has shredding gray-brown bark. The leaves Lemonadeberry gets its name from the lemon- often curl under with age. The fruits are dark flavored drink that Native Americans made red when ripe. The cream or pink urn shaped from the sticky, tart fruits. This shrub provides flowers bloom from December to February. important habitat for wildlife. Bush Monkey Flower Mimulus aurantiacus California Buckwheat Monkey flower is a wide drought - deciduous Black Sage Salvia mellifera Eriogonum fasciculatum shrub, with narrow dark green leaves. The red- This member of the mint family has narrow Buckwheat is an evergreen shrub with narrow, flowered form grows near coastal areas. leaves that are aromatic (scented). The short clustered leaves. The tops of the stems Hummingbirds pollinate these plants. are leafless and produce white to pink flowers lavender flowers are spaced in clusters resembling pom-poms along the stalk, and from March to it. October. The dry flowers form Chamise Adenostoma fasciculatum attract many bees and hummingbirds. rust-red clusters at the end of the stalks and Chamise or Greasewood is the most common feed a variety of native butterflies, caterpillars, chaparral shrub in San Diego County. It grows Coastal Sage Scrub and moths. Harvester ants eat the small black to 8' in height. The small evergreen leaves The coastal sage scrub biome is the dominant seeds. grow in bundles and are covered in resin to plant group in Southern California. Thousands reduce water loss. It’s high resin content of animals depend on this habitat for shelter causes the plant to burn easily. This plant is a and food. Unfortunately, this vital plant major component of the chaparral, retains soil community is losing ground to development. on the hillsides, and prevents erosion.