P.O. Box 577, Gualala, CA 95445 i $5.00 per year, non-members

Volume 2013 NovNov----DecDec ‘13‘13‘13 Printed on recycled paper The

CALYPSO NEWSLETTER OF THE DOROTHY KING YOUNG CHAPTER CALIFORNIA NATIVE SOCIETY

Annual Potluck and Program: Sunday, December 15, 2013 is the date for the annual DKY Potluck, from noon to about 2:00 p.m., at the Greenwood Community Center in Elk. Bring a dish to share, your own liquid refreshment, and dishes and utensils. Lunch starts at noon, with the annual meeting at 1 p.m. held to elect the 2014 slate of officers: President: Nancy Morin, Vice-President: Mario Abreu, Secretary: Lori Hubbart, Treasurer: Mary Hunter. The program starts soon after the meeting and there will be native for sale as well as books and posters.

This year’s speaker is Nancy Morin, our chapter president and nationally known botanist, who will give a program about rare plants of the Mendocino Coast. Nancy is currently Vice-President for Business and Development at the Flora of North America (FNA) and she was Convening Editor of FNA for sixteen years until 1999. More recently, she served as the Executive Director of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden and, at present, she is collaborating with a faculty member of Northern Arizona University on a phylogenetic analysis of the genus Nemacladus .

LOCAL RARE PLANTS, WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THEM? a program by Nancy Morin

The Mendocino/northern Sonoma coast is home to fascinating rare plant communities and rare plant species. Some of them have originated fairly recently, some are quite ancient. Some are spectacular—think of Coast Lily, Lilium maritimum , and others are extremely inconspicuous—think of short- leaved evax, Hesperevax sparsiflora var. brevifolia .

But what is actually known about the evolutionary history, relationships, and biology of our rare plants? This talk will Hesperevax sparsiflora var. brevifolia photographed in coastal bluff scrub near look at some of the patterns Fort Bragg, CA © Aaron Arthur 2013. that are seen in rare plants generally, give case studies of some of our better known rare species, and consider some of the intriguing sightings of rare plants that might be worth a concerted effort to relocate.

our rare described in the article p. 5, PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE are relicts from much larger earlier populations. by Nancy Morin There were close to 300 excited plant lovers at The Dorothy King Young Chapter this Southern California Botanists meeting and it of CNPS has had two extremely was both mentally stimulating and a lot of fun. successful and fun Fall Plant Sales. We were in Fort Bragg at Our equivalent, the Northern California Botanists its Town Hall on September 28, meeting, will be 13—15 January 2014 in Chico. and this turned out to be a great Its title is “Northern California Plant Life—Botany space for the sale. Right on for a Changing World.” In addition to a day full Main Street, with lots of folks of talks, the keynote speaker will be Dr. David out and about and dropping in to Ackerly, who has been doing some of the most look at plants, chat, and buy. We even had innovative and interesting work on the potential visitors who came from other CNPS chapters for impacts of climate change on native vegetation. our sale. A plenary talk will be given by Dr. Kabir Peay on Then on October 5 we were again on the mycorrhizal relationships between plants and beautiful deck behind the Gualala Hotel—our fungi, and there will be a workshop on second year at this venue. It was a “Pay and “Introduction to Mushroom Foraging and Take” day, and some of that crowd definitely Identification” by Phil Carpenter. Two other spilled over to our sale. Lots of people, workshops will be offered, one on the biology of beautiful day, sold lots of plants. whitebark pine in California, and the other on “Regulatory Framework” for botanists. Many many thanks to Francine Temple for letting us use the deck, to Lori Hubbart and Membership in Northern California Botanists is Mario Abreu, who grew most of the plants, to very inexpensive--$25 for an individual, $15 for Ken Montgomery of Anderson Valley Nursery for a student, and you get a break on cost of donating plants for the sale, and to Mary registration for the meeting. Registration is now Hunter, Lynn Tuft, Mario, and Lori for being open at http://www.norcalbotanists.org . great salespersons. Support your local botanical networks!

Some of you know (actually, anyone who asked The year will draw to a close at our annual me to do anything else in the days preceding potluck December 15. I’d like to thank the team the meeting!) that I was pretty consumed with who put so much effort into the Dorothy King getting a talk ready for the 39th Annual Young Chapter, both for serving this past year Southern California Botanists symposium in and for being willing to serve again next year: Claremont on October 21. My talk was titled Mario Abreu, Vice President; Lori Hubbart, "Natural History of Nemacladus: Campanulaceae Secretary and Conservation Chair; Mary Hunter, in California--Patterns of Diversity". Treasurer; Bob Rutemoeller, Membership Chair; Julia Larke, Calypso Editor; Lynn Tuft, posters; The focus of this symposium was whether the Ramona Crooks, mailings; and Mindy Eisman, ideas put forth in the seminal publication “Origin Webmaster. There are many other members and Relationships of the California Flora,” by who do a lot for our native plants, but these Peter Raven and Daniel Axelrod, were still valid folks are who make the chapter work month in in light of what has been learned since 1978 and month out. Thank you all. about the evolution and relationships of California’s plant species and plant communities.

Their theories have held up well, but it is likely that rather than having markedly more speciation in California than in other regions, for some groups instead (or in addition) there may have been less extinction because species could Volunteer, our chapter needs you! persist in areas in California that were, and are, Volunteer, our chapter needs you! buffered from changing climate. Our Mendocino

Coast is one of these places, and it is likely that

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A team of local residents, working with land CONSERVATION NEWS preservation groups, has been lobbying to have by Lori Hubbart the Stornetta Lands made part of the California

State Parks Ten Mile Dunes restoration Coastal National Monument. Our efforts to

The appeal by opponents of the restoration arrange a visit by Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, finally paid off. project will be heard by the California Coastal Commission at its November meeting. Ms. Jewell visited Point Arena on November 8, Unfortunately, the meeting will be held in and was taken on a hike of the entire length of Southern California, and most local conservation the Stornetta Lands. Accompanying Ms. Jewell, activists will not be attending. in addition to her own entourage, were The Coastal Commission Staff Report Congressman Jared Huffman, State recommended a finding of “No Substantial Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, several people Issue” – meaning that the appeal would end and from the Bureau, Ann Cole, Director of the the project could move forward. Maybe by the Mendocino Land Trust and some local residents, time you read this, there will be a decision. including Lori Hubbart representing CNPS.

New transfer station in pygmy forest The weather was splendid, the seabirds were

A small group of local residents are working to out in force, and a pod of humpback whales keep the City of Fort Bragg’s new waste transfer offshore breached spectacularly. The Stornetta station from being built on a pygmy forest site Lands’ dramatic rock formations have a clear along Highway 20. The waste from the transfer ecological connection with the Monument’s station would have to be shipped to Willits offshore rocks and islands.

(hence the name “transfer station”). The ability The hike was followed by a public meeting at to use Highway 20 for these regular shipments Point Arena City Hall, attended by some 300 was a big factor in choosing this site. The local people. Secretary Jewell was feted with dancing residents group would like the waste to be by people from the Manchester Pomo Band, and shipped not by truck, but via the Skunk Train. poetry reading and singing by local children. The The County Supervisors might not even support crowd heard from a number of visiting this plan, since the waste would still have to be dignitaries, including Supervisors Hamburg and trucked from the transfer station to the train McCowan, and representatives of agencies and station. Using a passenger train for hauling conservation groups. The public question and waste would bring up other issues like public comment session brought up other issues like health and impacts to tourism. fracking and the specter of oil rigs offshore. Secretary Jewell was calm, articulate and Conservationists are still looking for ways to gracious throughout. persuade the Supervisors that their choice of location was a poor one. If we cannot get the Secretary Sally Jewel said of her visit, “Today I transfer station moved to another, less had a chance to hike this spectacular coastline environmentally sensitive site, then we will push and to see first-hand how important this area is for really good mitigations for the project’s for the community and for its economy – from impacts. tourism to outdoor recreation. And this afternoon I heard from a community who is Stornetta Public Lands proud of their incredible landscapes and proud There are varying estimates on the length of the of the work they’ve done over the years to Stornetta Public Lands, but this coastal strip of protect them for current and future generations. public land currently runs from Point Arena We have an opportunity here to not only support Lighthouse Road south to near Arena Cove. The the community’s vision to conserve this land, Lands are owned and managed by the federal but also to create a world-class destination for Bureau of Land Management, but still lack the outdoor recreation and the study of coastal highest level of protection. Under the BLM resources, and to strengthen the local mandate, its lands can be leased out for wind economies.” as reported online in the Press farms, solar energy, oil and gas extraction or Democrat. other invasive uses.

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assigned to this category of rarity,” per the THE RARE CAMPAIGN CNPS website.

AT THE SEA RANCH At the top of the Sea Ranch list is a charming by Barbara Rice bulb that is seriously threatened in California,

This article is adapted from a feature published in the Coast Lily, Lilium maritimum , with over 80% of Summer 2013 Sea Ranch Soundings. occurrences threatened / high degree and

Threatened and endangered animals are immediacy of threat. This beautiful small lily common news stories today, but less is written blooms from May through July, in wet meadows or coastal prairie. The flower is a little longer about plants that may become extinct. Plants are at the base of almost all food chains on land, than 1 inch, red-orange with only the ends of as well as producing the oxygen we need to the petals turned back. The stem is 1-3 feet high. In the spring, Lynn and Mary flag certain exist. Many biologists believe we are entering a sixth “mass extinction” event, when over 75% roadside populations of the lily, so they will not be mowed. of the world’s species disappear. Plant species are threatened by development, habitat loss, There are eight species that are “Fairly invasive species, and climate change. threatened” in California (20-80% of

This summer the California Native Plant Society occurrences threatened / moderate degree and began a Rare Campaign, focused on celebrating immediacy of threat). Blasdale’s Bentgrass, Agrostis blasdalei, a small bunchgrass, is always and conserving the 1,650 rare species in California. Why so many? The California found on or near the edge of the bluff. Bloom Floristic Province is an international biodiversity time is May through July. The plant is usually less than 6 inches high and 6 inches across, with hotspot, the only one in North America. We have deserts and mountains and prairies and very narrow leaves, and flower stalks flat to the coastal scrub, along with many other vegetation ground. In 2009 Elaine (formerly Mahaffey) Allison and Mary Hunter discovered the grass on zones, featuring varied soils and climate an island off Shell Beach, accessible at low tide. features, producing a wealth of species, many of which are endemic to their specific locations. The Sea Ranch California Coastal National

The CNPS and The Sea Ranch are both Monument Stewardship group is working on a th restoration and protection plan for this grass. approaching their 50 anniversaries. In the DKY Chapter’s southern area, members who live Signs have been posted to keep people off the at The Sea Ranch have been working on island to minimize disturbance to the grass and conserving our rare species, plants listed on the to the nesting Black Oystercatchers. Chapter California Native Plant Society Inventory of Rare members Diane Hichwa and the author and Endangered Plants. Some of them are quite presented a poster session about the common here at Sea Ranch, but may have conservation effort at the 2012 CNPS Conservation Conference. limited distribution elsewhere and/or a limited number of populations. They may be Coastal Bluff Morning Glory, Calystegia threatened by development and habitat loss, purpurata subsp. saxicola , is quite common and have declined significantly in the last here. The 1/2 inch wide trumpet flower is white century. to cream to purple, and the plant trails along the

For many years local members Mary Hunter and ground. The leaves are not hairy, and are up to Lynn Tuft have been working on finding and 2 inches long, with the ends rounded, not documenting these plants, so that populations pointed. Bloom time is May and June, and it is found in coastal scrub or prairie. may be observed over time and protected when possible. All of these plants are CNPS Rank 1B, Swamp Harebell, Campanula californica , is not “rare throughout their range with the majority of uncommon at Sea Ranch. Found in swampy them endemic to California. Most of the plants places from bluff to ridge from June–September, that are ranked 1B have declined significantly this pale blue bell-shaped flower is ½ inch over the last century. California Rare Plant Rank across. The stem is usually less than 1ft high, 1B plants constitute the majority of taxa in the with the leaves attached directly to the stem. CNPS Inventory , with more than 1,000 plants

4 Nov-Dec 2013

Supple Daisy, Erigeron supplex , is found on grassy slopes on the east side of Highway 1, RARE PLANTS IN THE DKY blooming in May and June. Only 4-8 inches CHAPTER: HORKELIAS high, it can be upright or sprawling on the by Nancy Morin ground. The yellow flower has disk flowers only, not the ray flowers we usually think of with In 2014 we will be celebrating, and supporting, daisies. It is usually about 1 inch wide. the many ways that the California Native Plant Society studies and protects the rare elements— Pale Yellow Hayfield Tarplant, Hemizonia species and plant communities—that make congesta subsp. congesta , blooms in grassy California so biologically diverse and interesting. sites or marsh edges from May–November. This The March/April 2013 issue of the Calypso member of the Aster family is difficult to tell contained general information on CNPS’s Rare apart from close relatives unless you are a Plant program, and we will continue to share botanist. It sometimes hybridizes with related information about the rare plants and plant species. communities in our DKY chapter area in this and

Perennial Goldfields, Lasthenia macrantha ssp. the next few issues of Calypso. macrantha , was found by Mary Hunter as a new The Rare Plant Program page of the CNPS species on our list two years ago. It grows on website gives a good description of what needs coastal bluffs from May–August. The flower of to be done to determine the conservation status this species is much larger than the California of a plant: “Once a species has been identified Goldfields that are common to our headlands. as being of potential conservation concern, a

Point Reyes Checkerbloom, Sidalcea rigorous review process ensues. The Rare Plant calycosa subsp. rhizomata , blooms in marshy Botanist at CNPS evaluates existing literature, places from May to July. There are similar reviews herbarium collections, and checkerblooms; this one has a light purple communicates with experts on the species in flower, which is slightly larger than its cousin, order to gather as much information as possible Annual Checkerbloom, and usually is found in on the particular species under review. wet ditches. Based on this information, a recommendation is

Purple-Stemmed Checkerbloom, Sidalcea then made as to whether a species merits listing malviflora subsp. purpurea, found in coastal by CNPS and if so, what list it should be placed meadow or prairie, has a bright pink, white- on. A summary of the information gathered on veined flower. The base of the plant and the the species is then put together and sent out to underneath and surrounding the petals a statewide network of over 350 California are purple. Bloom time is May to June. botanists, representing state and federal agencies, consulting firms, academic CNPS volunteers are taking GPS readings to institutions, CNPS and other conservation document the current locations of our rare organizations. populations. Specific sites are not shown on Once consensus is reached about a change widely available maps, as rare plant poaching amongst various members of the review groups, has become a major problem, especially in our the species will be added to a group of pending national parks. changes, which will all be implemented and

We are also writing articles for the Sea Ranch disseminated on a quarterly basis. If consensus monthly and quarterly publications, to educate is not reached, then a meeting will be held in our residents about the need for protection of order to discuss the data more fully and come to these species. In addition, we are preparing a an agreement on what the best action would be reference page for the Sea Ranch website. It is to take.” hoped that our local rare campaign will serve as Plants may be rare in our area but more a baseline document for future native plant common elsewhere (often more common lovers, especially in regard to climate change. northward, or more common southward), but

some plants are really found almost nowhere else.

5 Nov-Dec 2013

The tiny Howell’s spineflower, Chorizanthe which are 4—12 cm (1 ½--4 ½ inches) long, howellii, is in this category. It is known only have 5—10 leaflets on each side of the leaf, and from a few populations between Fort Bragg and each leaflet is divided less than halfway to the Ten Mile River. This teeny plant is easy to miss, base into coarse teeth. Populations in southern so we should all be on the lookout for it. Mendocino County mentioned by Gladys Smith Howell’s spineflower will be discussed in an and Clare Wheeler in their Flora of the Vascular upcoming issue of Calypso. Plants of Mendocino County are actually H. tenuiloba . There are three species of in our Chapter area, two of them rare, and all of them need more study. The rare occurs right around and just north of Fort Bragg, and its only other localities are in the Point Reyes area, Muir Beach, and around Santa Cruz. Horkelia tenuiloba is also rare; it occurs east of Gualala and around Santa Rosa and on Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County. The common is scattered in our area. Report of a fourth species, from Albion, which otherwise occurs around

Lake County, was probably based on an incorrect identification. Horkelia tenuiloba Vernon Smith, CalPhotos, Creative Commons. The experts on Horkelia are Barbara Ertter and James Reveal, and what we know about these Horkelia tenuiloba is also globally rare. The plants is thanks to them. This genus of 20 leaves of H. tenuiloba , are 5—20 cm (2—8 species is a perennial herb in the rose family, inches) long, with 8—20 leaflets on each side, . each one divided nearly to the base into linear lobes.

Horkelia marinensis , UCSC Campus Natural Reserve © 2006 by Dylan Neubauer. Our horkelias are not particularly conspicuous plants but they are aromatic. You are more likely to know one is near by the fragrance of its leaves—a kind of resinous honey smell that is hard to describe. Ours form little green mats, from which the arises—a single Horkelia californica photoraphed at Bayview Hill, stalk with a few white-petalled flowers at the San Francisco © Margo Bors, 2012. top. The leaves in all of ours have numerous Horkelia californica var. californica has the leaflets. largest flowers and leaves, although none of them are really big. The leaves can be 8—40 Horkelia marinensis , the Point Reyes horkelia cm (3—16 inches) long but only have 3—9 and a globally rare plant, is the species found leaflets per side. It grows in grassy openings around Fort Bragg. The leaves of H. marinensis , 6 Nov-Dec 2013

and edges of coastal scrub throughout the North Coast and Central Coast of California, but there MushroMushroomom ID for Beginners --- are only a few reports from the DKY area. Horkelia californica var . elata occurs further Workshop & Walk inland (a few miles west of Navarro is the only Ever wonder what the difference is between a report in our area). toadstool and a mushroom? If this question

It would be worth searching for recorded comes to mind when the rains start to fall, this populations of these plants in our area or finding is the class for you. MCBG Naturalist Mario new ones, and documenting them as herbarium Abreu will have specimens and handouts to sheets or photos, so we can better define where guide you in understanding the wild mushroom, these plants grow, how large their populations and the class will be followed by a guided walk are, and whether any of them are under threat. through the Garden at 1:30 pm (come prepared This is the kind of information needed for for all weather). This popular class is space- CNPS’s statewide Rare Plant Program. limited, so call now to reserve your space 707-964-4352 ext 16.

SUDDEN OAK DEAK TALK Dates: class offered on November 16 and 23 and December 7, 2013. Date: Wednesday, November 20 Time: 6:30 pm Time: workshop 10:00am - 1:00pm, field Walk 1:30pm to around 3:00pm. Place: Fort Bragg Town Hall, Hwy. 1

& Laurel Street, Fort Bragg Place: Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Speaker: Matteo Garbelotto Meeting Room

Sudden Oak Death (SOD) is a devastating plant Fee: $15 Members/$20 Non-members pathogen, first identified in oaks, but able to Two wonderful gifts from the Kingdom of Fungi: infect many types of plants in the wild and in gardens. Our speaker will be Dr. Matteo Garbelotto of UCCE and UC Berkeley Forest Pathology laboratory. His presentation will focus on the latest research findings on SOD; the results of last spring’s leaf sampling “SOD Blitz” – including here on the Mendocino coast; how to get involved in the next Blitz; options for managing SOD.

Alarming as the pathogen is, the research and its findings are fascinating. Those who have attended Matteo’s presentations in the past

know he is a dynamic speaker and a brilliant Boletus edulis - king bolete, porcini, cep, penny bun. researcher who always provides ample reason for hope.

Dr. Garbelotto is an Adjunct Professor in Environmental Sciences at the University of California Berkeley, and the Forest Pathology Specialist for the entire University of California system. He began his teaching and research career at Berkeley in 1996, and today is the head of the Forest Pathology and Mycology Lab, which he established in 2001.

In the early days of SOD research when funding

was very scarce, Dr. Garbelotto deployed his own friends to help with the necessary field Cantharellus cibarius - chanterelle, golden chanterelle, work. He has continued that “citizen scientist” girolle, pfifferling. approach with the SOD Blitz program. 7 Nov-Dec 2013

DOROTHY KING YOUNG CHAPTER

OFFOFFICERSICERS 2013

President: Nancy Morin 882-2528 [email protected] Vice President: Mario Abreu 937-3155

[email protected] Secretary: Lori Hubbart 882-1655 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION [email protected] DOROTHY KING YOUNG CHAPTER Treasurer: Mary Hunter 785-1150 [email protected] Membership in the California Native Plant Society is open to all. The task and mission of the Society is to COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of

CONSERVATION Lori Hubbart 882-1655 California native plants. The challenge is to preserve EDUCATION Helene Chalfin 964-1825 their natural habitat through scientific, educational, and conservation activities. Membership includes FIELD TRIPS Mario Abreu & Nancy Morin (temp) subscription to Fremontia , as well as our local chapter HISTORIAN Ramona Crooks 884-3585 newsletter, the Calypso .

HOSPITALITY OPEN Name ______INVASIVE PLANTS Mario Abreu 937-3135 Address ______JUBATA ERADICATION OPEN

City ______Zip ______MAILINGS Ramona Crooks 884-3585 Tel. ______E-mail ______

MEMBERSHIP Bob Rutemoeller 884-4426

NEWSLETTER Julia Larke 882-2935 Please check, or name a chapter; CNPS will make PLANT SALE Mario Abreu 937-3155 assignment if none is specified by applicant.

PLANT WATCH OPEN I wish to affiliate with the DKY Chapter ______POSTERS Lynn Tuft 785-3392 or, other chapter______PUBLICITY OPEN

PROGRAMS Lori Hubbart 882-1655

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY RARE & ENDANGERED: Student/Limited Income $25 Coordinator Teresa Sholars 962-2686 Individual $45 Inland Clare Wheeler-Sias 895-3131 Family/International/Library $75 Sea Ranch Lynn Tuft 785-3392 Plant Lover $100 South Coast Jon Thompson 884-4847 Patron $300 Benefactor $600 VEGETATION Rhiannon Korhummel

WEBMASTER Mindy Eisman [email protected] Make check out to: All phone numbers are area code 707 California Native Plant Society

Mail check and application to:

Bob Rutemoeller, Membership Committee DKY Chapter, CNPS PO Box 577

Gualala, CA 95445

MEMBERSHIP : Renewal - renewal date is listed on the address label of your CNPS Bulletin. If you have any questions, contact Bob Rutemoeller at 884-4426 [email protected].

NEXT BOARD MEETING : The next board meeting takes place at the Annual Potluck on December 15, 1:00 PM at the Greenwood Community Center in Elk.

CALYPSO items : Send to Julia Larke, [email protected],

Lilium maritimum , Coast Lily. This photo by Mary 882-2935. You can switch to a digital version of the Sue Ittner was taken at Stornetta Public Lands on newsletter, if you wish. Send e-mail request to Bob May 30, 2013. The flowers are more orange than Rutemoeller [email protected] .

the deeper red found in populations elsewhere in

the region. 8 Nov-Dec 2013