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GUALALA CA PERMIT NO.21

THE

PO Box 577, Gualala CA 95445 CALYPSO $5.00 per year, non-members Volume 2004, July/Aug 04 Printed on NERecycled Paper

NEWSLETTER OF THE DOROTHY KING YOUNG CHAPTER CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

CALENDAR Directions: Take Hwy. 101 to a couple of miles

north of Crescent City; take Hwy.199 towards July 17-25 – Botanical fieldtrip to the Western Grants Pass, Oregon. Proceed a few miles through Siskiyous with Peter Warner. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park into the Explore the rich coniferous forests and serpentine village of Hiouchi; the general store is on your left. woodlands of Del Norte and Siskiyou Counties on For further information contact Peter Warner this weeklong fieldtrip. See dozens of rare plant (707) 937-2278, [email protected] or species, up to 20 conifer species, Darlingtonia Lori Hubbart at 882-1655, [email protected] bogs, and the recovering remains of the Biscuit Fire in 2002 that burned over 1/2 million acres. We’ll September 7. Tuesday 7:00 –9:00 PM – meander along back roads near the Oregon state Sierra’s Club’s Great Coastal Spaces Campaign line, and depending on botanical conditions, we could spend a day or two in the vicinity of the Please join Mark Massara and the Great Coastal Marble Mountain Wilderness. Very likely, all Places Campaign, Sierra Club’s statewide coastal camping will be in unimproved roadside locations in network, on Tuesday, September 7th at 7:00PM at national forests. the Town Hall (363 North Main Street) in Fort

Bragg. All participants need to provide all their camping needs, including shelter, water, toilet needs, food, For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to and fuel. Summer rainfall is possible. Carpooling hear Mark speak, or just haven’t seen him in a in dirt road-ready vehicles is recommended. Roads while, this is an amazing opportunity to hear from a are generally in good condition, but carry a spare coastal protection legend. Mark has spent his life tire. During the week, we will have a couple of protecting and enjoying California’s coast. He has opportunities to replenish food and supplies. been personally involved in many coastal protection

victories and always gives an informative and We’ll meet at the Hiouchi General Store on entertaining presentation. Saturday, July 17 at 3 p.m. We will leave there no later than 4 p.m. for an indefinite destination up Mark and the 5,000 members of the Great Coastal Low Divide Road, northeast of Crescent City. All Places Campaign have just had a hugely participants must contact Peter Warner @ (707) successful year, which brought, among other 937-2278 for updates and further information; if you things, a major victory from the California Coastal don’t contact Peter, he will not know you’re Commission. After almost two years work the attending, and you could be left behind. He will not Commission passed a historic resolution on the be avaiIable later than July 14 to reply with updating of Local Coastal Plans. The resolution information. asks Sacramento to give the Commission more power to update these plans and require up-to-date habitat, pollution and population levels be the spring. An event such as this high water level considered before any coastal development can in the lagoon offers a chance to observe natural proceed. landscape processes in action.

Local Coastal Plans and their update are very important here in Mendocino County tying in with issues like stopping “monster homes”, preserving coastal views, and protecting coastal access trails.

Joining Mark will be Michele White, former Mayor of Fort Bragg and member of the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club’s Mendocino Group. Michele is working right now to create exciting new opportunities for coastal advocates to get involved and protect our threatened local coast. Please join Mark and Michele to learn what little things you can do to help protect our coast for future generations.

For more Information or to RSVP write to: Owen Gualala River Barrier Lagoon on 5/16/04. Sand barrier is Bailey, 3435 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 660 visible near the center of the photo. Gary Hundt ©2004 Los Angeles, CA 90010 or [email protected] Water was actually covering some of the plants that Visit Sierra Club's Great Coastal Places we had come to see. Although we were not able to @ http://www.sierraclub.org/ca/coasts/ view western lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis occidentalis) and the aquatic plant, wigeongrass (Ruppia

PRESIDENTS CORNER maritima), we were fortunate to observe the by Jon Thompson ecological processes demonstrating that these plants have evolved to survive significant periods of On Saturday May 16 we had a joint field trip to the inundation. Gualala River Barrier Lagoon with the Milo Baker Chapter from Sonoma County. We apologize to Non-native invasive species such as velvet grass those who might have gone had they received the (Holcus lanatus) and bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Calypso in a timely manner and we hope to avoid on the other hand, cannot tolerate prolonged this situation in the future. inundation and are naturally controlled by the high water levels. In a relatively short time, inundation I would like to thank Dr. Peter Baye, Botanist and has done what would take much effort (and more Coastal Plant Ecologist from Annapolis Field money!) using conventional weed removal Station for an invigorating walk and highly methods. Peter Baye calls it “on the cheap marsh informative discussion of the unique ecosystems enhancement!” and plant communities found at and near the mouth of the Gualala River. Driftwood has helped form the nearby foredunes by trapping sand and allowing native plants like sand Peter explained that compared with most other verbena (Abronia latifolia) and beach bur (Ambrosia lagoons and estuaries there is a greater array of chamissonis) to colonize and persist in the dunes. plant species at the Gualala Barrier Lagoon We also observed American dune grass (Leymus because it is essentially a fresh water system. mollis), a species that once occupied a larger range Plants like common tule (Scirpus acutis) and slough but is now only found inhabiting bluff seeps that are sedge (Carex obnupta) are present in the fresh believed to be refugia for this plant. We also were waters of the sand barrier lagoon. Such plants are shown a small population of the uncommon Pacific absent in more typical brackish water estuaries that dune grass (Leymus pacificus) that was unusual have a mixture of fresh and salt water. because it occurred in beach habitat.

The water level in the lagoon is the highest it has Dense stands of yellow bush lupine (Lupinus been for some years because the river has not arboreus) occupy areas near the dunes and nearby breached the naturally formed sand barrier at the bluffs of the Gualala River. It is a relative newcomer mouth of the river. The most likely time for the river to the Northern California coast region and is an to break through is in the fall after the first big aggressive invader of dune habitat outside of its rainstorms, however, breaching can also occur in native range in the central and southern coast 2 July/Aug’04 regions of California. According to Peter, in 1869, it Keep Those Letters Coming! Letters from citizens was utilized as a dune stabilizer in order to form to our legislators and public agencies are vital to land for Golden Gate Park. Many Northern our efforts to influence public policy. While the California lighthouse grounds were also planted DKY Chapter does send letters on local and state with this species. Reports from 1923 indicate that it issues, what really counts is volume. That means was scarcely a component of coastal Northern the more letters received from individual members California dune communities, yet, some 80 years of the public, the better. later, it is on the California Invasive Plant Council’s One recent example is the Governor’s “No Tree (Cal-IPC) regional list of Most Invasive Wildland Left Standing” rider on the state budget. This rider Pest Plants. would pretty much give timber interests carte Lupinus arboreus adversely affects native dune blanche to cut trees without review by the public or communities by altering soil characteristics through the California Department of Fish and Game. its nitrogen fixing capabilities. The nitrogen- Individual letters can really make a difference in a enhanced soils further the spread of annual exotic case like this. To subscribe to the CNPS Action weeds and other non-dune species into dune Alerts! email list, send an email to ActionAlerts- habitat. Yellow bush lupine also has a long-lived [email protected] with the word subscribe as the seed bank that hinders eradication efforts. Many of subject. Leave the body of the email blank. northern California’s sand dunes are now overrun Sonoma County Residents – Speak Out! Much of by yellow bush lupine. northern Sonoma County is rural, and sparsely It was well worth braving the coastal winds to be populated, yet important conservation policy is able to accompany Peter Baye and a hardy band of being made there. If you live there, please write to the CNPS members on this exceptional fieldtrip. you Board of Supervisors and state legislators when local issues come up. You can get excellent CONSERVATION information on issues like timber harvest plans and by Lori Hubbart rules, and vineyard conversions from Friends of the Gualala River. If you haven’t already joined this fine Fort Bragg Golf Course Update A new Draft local group, please consider doing so. Contact: Environmental Impact Report should be out in www.gualalariver.org, P.O. Box 1543, Gualala, CA September. This document need not specify how 95445. nutrient-laden water flow will be kept out of the sphagnum bog and pygmy forest areas. All it has Local activity to do is state the Mendocino Coast Park and The DKY chapter sent a letter to the County of Recreation District’s intent to keep nutrients out of Mendocino, with copies to the Department of Fish the sensitive habitat areas. The details of how to do and Game and State Parks on development that are part of the grading plan, and funding for the permits for the area north of Fort Bragg and west of grading plan is dependent on approval of the EIR. Highway One. While our letter focused on one housing project, it also brought up conservation Also, while there are several good mitigation ideas issues for that entire portion of the coast. With 11 that would go a long way toward protecting rare rare plants and one rare bryophyte nearby, it is not plants and sensitive habitats, the Rec. District appropriate or effective to deal with building permits board of directors must approve any mitigations. on a project-by-project basis. We know the They are likely to go for mitigations that are low in Department of Fish and Game is looking at this cost, and that make sense to them. area, too. DFG may be looking for “mitigation” The general scheme for keeping nutrients and opportunities in nearby State Parks. That pesticides out of the sensitive areas hinges on approach, however, doesn’t do much for the rare computer-controlled irrigation. This system would plants outside the parklands. We have asked that measure moisture in the turf and apply only as DFG and the County come up with an overall plan much water as needed, and no more. So, from an for that area that will protect natural resources. environmental point of view, the whole undertaking Follow-up to City of Ft. Bragg wetland site is a rather risky business. A legally defensible In addition to the DKY letter on a Coastal Statement of Overriding Considerations could Development Permit for a wetland/rare plant site, obviate the need for protecting the bogs and pygmy the City received extensive comments from the habitat at all. Look for another update next issue of Department of Fish and Game and the CA Calypso in late summer. 3 July/Aug’04 Regional Water Quality Control Board. The City our area with manzanitas: “Interbreeding flourishes advised the project proponents that the project where two or more related species share common must be re-designed with the recommended ground. Scientists refer to these areas as hybrid modifications, including setbacks and stilt zones. Novel DNA arrangements can arise in construction. The project can be re-evaluated only hybrid zones and then spread into the larger when the new, detailed plans are submitted. The populations of each species. In a process that’s City appears to be awaiting a response from the thought to be especially common among plants, a project proponents. Meanwhile, CNPS would be hybrid population may ultimately evolve into a new thrilled if a local land trust would simply purchase species.” the property. Joining us on the Haven’s Neck field trip was Bert Jackson Demonstration State Forest – State Johnson, longtime staffer at the East Bay Regional Senator Wes Chesbro introduced a bill, SB 1648, Parks Botanic Garden in Berkeley, and something that would re-define and broaden the charter for of a manzanita maniac. Bert shared with us the state forests. It does not eliminate logging, but theory that bear-berry manzanita is a species left instead mandates better preservation of natural over from a time when the coast was colder and resources, to be reflected in logging activities and wetter. With a warmer and dryer climate, this research projects. The Mendocino County Board of manzanita is largely restricted to the cold, windy Supervisors voted to oppose the bill. The Fort sea bluff edges, often growing where there is Bragg City Council also planned a formal resolution moisture drip from nearby pines or small drainages opposing the bill, but were persuaded by Chesbro’s to supply extra moisture. So, we have a plant office to postpone it. Letters are needed to the Fort whose requirements include some moisture, good Bragg City Council in support of SB 1648. The drainage, a cold site, and not too much competition State Assembly is next. Ask your friends residing from other plants. Add ongoing and inevitable in the State Assembly Districts 6, 8, 11, 17, 20, 21, erosion of the coastal bluffs to the mix, and it’s no 23, 24, 28, 30, 43, 51, 53, 57, 58, 61, 69, or 79 to wonder the plant is uncommon. write. Those districts include “Mod Squad” Then there’s the hybridization for which manzanitas Assembly members – moderate Democrats who are well known. At Haven’s Neck, we saw many band together to oppose legislation that could be manzanita plants that appeared intermediate seen as detrimental to the economy. between two or all three of the species present. Much of the apparent Arctostaphylos uva-ursi BEAR-BERRY MANZANITA AND RARITY actually looked like crosses with A. nummularia. by Lori Hubbart On a private property a mile or so north of Haven’s On our recent field trip out to Haven’s Neck, we Neck, there was no pure A. nummularia, but its were greeted by colorful wildflowers and lush influence was obvious in the manzanitas there. mounds of creeping manzanita. The manzanita Bees and hummingbirds get around! Again, we species present were a low-growing form of hairy found very little of the classic A. uva-ursi. manzanita, Arctostaphylos columbiana; Fort Bragg Photo by Robert Potts manzanita, A. nummularia; and bear-berry ©2001 California manzanita, A. uva-ursi. We tend to think of bear- Academy of Sciences. berry manzanita as a fairly common plant along the Labeled Arctostaphylos coast, yet, there are not really all than many uvaursi var. coactilis. occurrences, and some apparent A. uva-ursi plants Photo taken at UC are actually hybrids. Berkeley Botanical Garden. Notes indicate As we learned a few years ago in a presentation by plant may be originally from Humboldt County, California…source: CalPhotos. Mike Vasey of San Francisco State University, manzanitas tend to have few reproductive barriers. Is this photo possibly of a genuine Arctostaphylos This means they tend to hybridize rather freely, uva-ursi"? given the chance. These hybridization occurrences are fascinating in themselves, and of scientific What about bear-berry populations further up the importance, too. coast? Is the Arctostaphylos nummularia influence present at Manchester State Beach, Point Cabrillo This excerpt from Science News, May 22, 2004, by and points northward? It may turn out that A. uva- Bruce Bower reflects the state of affairs we have in ursi is pretty rare in Mendocino County. At the very

4 July/Aug’04 least, we should add it to our Locally Rare and Marin County at Point Reyes National Seashore is Special Plants list. Maybe it warrants a place in the heartening, but development of coastal prairie CNPS Rare Plant Inventory, too. Definitely more farther north continues to be a threat. fieldwork is needed, not to mention further genetic The combination of nodding habit and campanulate analysis. Are there any graduate students out perianth with rolled sepal and petal tips is unique there wanting to do DNA and RNA work on A. uva- among the North American lilies. Hybrids with ursi and its hybrids? We look forward to the day Lilium pardalinum are known; these can be clonal when these genetic mysteries are resolved; and their flowers are morphologically intermediate meanwhile, we can enjoy all the coast manzanitas between the parents. for their stunning beauty – no mystery about that! Lilium maritimum is pollinated sequentially, first by

Allen’s (Selasphorus sasin) and Anna’s SPECIES PROFILE: hummingbirds (Calypte anna ), and later in the Lilium maritimum Kell. COAST LILY blooming cycle by several different bumblebees...” ---Mark Skinner, Flora of North America, Vol. 26, Liliaceae

Comment on above remarks: “A couple of years ago, Doreen Smith showed slides at a DKY talk of the supposed Lilium maritimum from Marin County, and the DKY audience members all thought it looked like L. maritimum x L. pardalinum hybrids. Definitely not L. maritimum as we know it from Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. Of course, then the question arises: If the Marin plants are hybrids, where did the L. maritimum parent come from? Maybe we'll have an article on this in a future Calypso!” ---Lori Hubbart, Conservation Chair

Sources: Flora of North America, Vol. 26, Liliaceae @efloras.org, CNPS Inventory @cnps.org, and Pacific Bulb Society wiki link @dkycnps.org --- J. Larke

COME ONE, COME ALL, HAVE FUN PULLING WEEDS AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE! Photograph by Bob Rutemoeller The next DKY Chapter Board Meeting will be held CNPS list: 1B - rare, threatened, or endangered in at the Point Arena Lighthouse on Monday, August California and elsewhere. 16, 2004 at 10:00 AM. Members and friends are Habitat: coastal prairie or scrub, bogs, gaps in welcome. We’ll tackle ice plant (Carpobrotus coniferous forests; elev. 0-200 m edulis) so bring gloves and weeding tools. Native to South Africa, it is on the California Invasive Plant Blooming period: May-Aug Council’s list of Most Invasive Wildland Pest Plants.

Threats: urbanization, grazing, horticultural Directions: The station is roughly two miles north of collecting, and habitat fragmentation. Populations the town of Point Arena. From Highway 1, turn west along Highway 1 are routinely disturbed by road on Lighthouse Road (there is a sign at intersection.) maintenance. The lighthouse is about a mile west at end of road.

Comments: “Lilium maritimum is known in Interesting facts: The original 1870’s Point Arena California from below San Francisco to about Lighthouse oil lamp was visible for approximately Westport in Mendocino County, and invariably 18 miles, the 1st Order Fresnel Lens in use from grows within a few miles of the ocean. The coast 1908 to 1977 was visible for 20 miles, and the most lily has suffered grave declines in the past century current modern rotating light can be seen for 16 and has been extirpated from the southern part of miles! For further lighthouse information: its range. The recent rediscovery of a population in http://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/ 5 July/Aug’04

MEMBERSHIP OFFICERS 2004 New Members: President Jon Thompson Rebecca Ratcliff-Jones El Cerrito 884-4847 Dina Ederer Fort Bragg Vice President Pat Howard (Acting) 937-4052 Transferred members: Secretary Claudia Hillary Michael & Mary Lynn Tuft 882-3664 from the Sacramento Chapter Treasurer Mary Hunter ---Submitted by Bob Rutemoeller 785-1150

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

AT LARGE Patricia Bauer 937-4052 CNPS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION DOROTHY KING YOUNG CHAPTER CAMPING OPEN CONSERVATION Lori Hubbart 882-1655 Membership in the California Native Plant Society is fax:882-1645; open to all. The task and mission of the Society is to Greg Jirak 882-1660 W increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation of EDUCATION Heidi Marshall 884-383 California native plants. The challenge is to preserve their natural habitat through scientific educational, and FIELDTRIPS OPEN conservation activities. Membership includes HISTORIAN Ramona Crooks 884-3585 subscription to the quarterly Fremontia, as well as our HOSPITALITY: local chapter newsletter, the Calypso.

North Coast Pat Howard 937-4052 South Coast Beverly Sloane 785-3134 Name ______Roberta Rams 884-4847 Address ______INVASIVES Joan Curry 937-1649 City ______Zip ______JUBATA ERADICATION OPEN Tel ______e-mail ______LEGISLATION OPEN MAILINGS Bobbie Penney 785-9302 I wish to affiliate with the DKY Chapter ______Or, other chapter ______MEMBERSHIP Bob Rutemoeller 884-4426 NEWSLETTER Julia Larke 964-2845 (Please check, or name one; CNPS will make assignment if none is specified by applicant.) PLANT SALE Jon Thompson 884-4847 PLANT WATCH Heidi Marshall 884-383 MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY POSTERS Mary Hunter 785-1150 Limited Income $20 PROGRAMS OPEN; Lori Hubbart (pro tem) Individual $35 PUBLICITY OPEN Family/Group $45 RARE & ENDANGERED: Supporting $75 North Teresa Sholars 962-2686 W Plant Lover $100 Inland Clare Wheeler-Sias 895-3131 Patron $250 Sea Ranch Elaine Mahaffey 785-2279 Benefactor $500 Sonoma Co. Dorothy Scherer 882-2850 Maripsoa Lily $1000

South Coast Mary Rhyne 884-3043 VEGETATION Dorothy Scherer 882-2850 Make Check out to the California Native Plant Society, mail check and application to: WEBMASTER Norm Jensen [email protected] Bob Rutemoeller, Membership Committee DKY Chapter, CNPS All phone numbers are area code 707 unless PO Box 577 otherwise noted. Gualala CA 95445

6 July/Aug’04