DAVIS BOTANICAL SOCIETY LASTHENIA

LASTHENIA, the Newsletter of the Davis Botanical Society, is published in collaboration with the staff of the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory UPCOMING EVENTS! and Center for Diversity. Editor: Ellen Dean Issue Contributors: E. Dean, M. Star- buck, E. LoPresti, J. Shepard, E. Sando- val, C. Burton, D. McNair, K. Keatley Sat. April 8 Arboretum/Conservatory Plant Sale Garvey, A. Ryan, A. Shapiro, R. Thorpe Sat. April 22 Picnic Day herbarium and conserva- Design: Susan Gloystein tory open houses Layout: Ellen Dean DBS OFFICERS, 2016-2017 Sat. April 29 Arboretum/Conservatory Plant Sale President: Judy Jernstedt President-elect: Neal Williams Tues. May 2 Spring Meeting and Speaker, NOTE Membership Vice President: Tom Starbuck, Johanna Kwan, & Kate CHANGE IN SPEAKER: Tonya Kuhl will speak on Mawdsley the engineering of coffee roasting! Secretary: Ellen Dean Treasurer: Robert Rhode Sat. May 20 Field Trip to the Santa Rosa Plain Past President: Andrew Latimer Members at Large: Cherilyn Burton, Brenda Grewell Student Member at Large: Eric LoPresti Ex officio: Dan Potter, Ernesto

Sandoval, Ellen Dean

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Davis, CA 95616 95616 CA Davis,

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8 No. 47 Winter 2017 LASTHENIA NEWSLETTER OF THE DAVIS BOTANICAL SOCIETY

BLISS AT TAHOE: ANOTHER FLORA EXPLORED In 2016, Daniel McNair and I per- is dry upland mixed conifer forest and formed a floristic and vegetation survey montane chaparral. In fact, a large part of D. L. Bliss State Park on the western of the park is barren rock outcrop with shore of Lake Tahoe. Located just north sparse conifer/shrub cover, some of of Emerald Bay State Park, D. L. Bliss which is on steep slopes. is a popular destination for hiking and Despite this dry terrain, there was camping. During mid-summer, the more orchid diversity in this park than parking lot at Lester Beach, at the north the others we have surveyed. This was end of the park, is usually full. due to the numerous streams that drain In past issues of this newsletter, we to Rubicon Creek in the northern part have described our experience survey- of the park and an unnamed creek ing other state parks in and around in the southern part of the park that the Tahoe Basin (Sugarpine Point, drains into Lake Tahoe. These drain- Washoe Meadows, and Grover Hot ages and seeps support alder thickets Springs) where we encountered many and small meadows with very diverse wet to moist vegetation types. D. L. assemblages of species including Bliss differs from those parks, because manna grass (Glyceria elata), arrowleaf the dominant vegetation at D. L. Bliss ragwort (Senecio triangularis), lady fern Twayblade orchid flower. Photo: D. McNair

CULTIVATING THE CONSERVATORY (Athyrium filix-femina), swamp onion Even though the Botani- (Allium obtusatum var obtusatum), bog cal Conservatory has been orchid (Platanthera sparsiflora), Sierra around for over 50 years, bog orchid (Platanthera dilatata var. we’re constantly refining leucostachys), broad leaved twayblade our strategies to get the (Listera convallarioides), Pacific enchant- most out of our greenhouse er’s nightshade (Circaea alpina), starry and outdoor spaces so as to false lily of the valley (Maianthemum meet the demands of being stellatum), ruffled starwort Stellaria( a teaching collection, while crispa), bog wintergreen (Pyrola asarifo- at the same time, keep- lia), Fendler’s meadowrue (Thalictrum ing our as happy as continued on page 6 possible. The Botanical Conser- vatory (officially desig- Introductory biology, BIS 2C, students present their IN THIS ISSUE nated as GH 61) is one of findings to their classmates in the Conservatory work- Bliss at Tahoe...... 1 the many areas used for room after collecting data in the Conservatory. growing plants for a variety Photo: E. Sandoval Cultivating the Conservatory ...... 1 of courses at UC Davis, Biodiversity Museum Day...... 3 especially for those in the College of Biological Sciences. The Conservatory functions as a museum of living plants. Every quarter, hundreds of BIS 2C stu- Wildflower Viewing...... 4 dents (600-700) and Plant Sciences students (ca. 120) visit the Conservatory to Two Rare Coastal Plants...... 5 do data collection exercises and participate in guided tours respectively. There A Day in the Marsh...... 7 continued on page 2 1 CONSERVATORY (CONT. FROM PAGE 1)

are a number of plants that, because amount of light. They are of unique growing conditions in this then cycled into the Conser- greenhouse, are only grown in Room vatory (Room B) where they A, the cool climate room. After unsuc- can be displayed for visitors. cessfully growing Amborella trichopoda, If left more than a week or the most ancestral of all the flowering two in this display space, plants, we’ve now found a perfect spot they slowly die or lose vigor in Room A for this species. Multiple from a combination of lack plants are currently being propagated of sunlight and overstimula- so that Intro Biology students can see tion (folding) of the leaves. them in one of their labs. On a side note, when grown Some of you may be familiar with as a houseplant, Venus fly the 3rd floor greenhouse on top of the traps usually die in a matter Sciences Laboratory Building (SLB). If of weeks from insufficient the Conservatory is a museum, then light and/or overstimula- Conservatory interns plant South African bulbs and Cali- the SLB greenhouse is a combination of tion. Nepenthes, carnivorous fornia native annuals at the BOG in late February, 2017. production facility and small farm. Er- low light understory plants Photo: E. Sandoval nesto and Marlene regularly propagate from Southeast Asia—better and grow crops in SLB for the current suited as houseplants, are also grown in examples of camouflage in plants. or upcoming quarters. For example, Room B to display their varied pitch- Moreover, we have discovered that corn plants have to be planted every ers and methods of obtaining nutrients many plants, especially as they approach quarter 60 days before they are needed, from a variety of prey. maturity, grow much better outdoors and teosinte plants, the perennial ances- Outside areas with varying amounts and in ground beds than they do in any tor of corn, are divided and placed in a of protection and exposure round out of the greenhouses, either as a result of short day chamber 75 days before they our ability to grow a diverse array of diurnal temperatures and/or appropriate are needed. The plants are then brought plants for teaching purposes. Outside, light levels. The South African cycad, out into the SLB-GH two weeks before between GH 61 and 62, a variety of Stangeria eriopus, which makes cones they are seen by students in their labs. subtropical and other more temperate nearly year round and is used in Plant All this is done so that students can species thrive. Mature Sarracenia, a tem- Development and several other courses, see living, flowering specimens of both perate to subtropical genus of pitcher has been doing quite well in the breeze- species and compare domesticated and plants from eastern North America, are way between GH 61 and our adjacent wild-type in Lab 5 of BIS 2C. grown outdoors to provide appropri- workroom. We’re considering planting Adjacent to and east of the Botanical ate diurnal temperatures and seasonal it out in a shady area at the southwest Conservatory is yet another greenhouse climate changes. When grown indoors corner of Storer Hall so that this plant (GH 62) where a variety of plants are under insufficient light, these plants can further reach its growth potential. grown for teaching purposes that, for are much more susceptible to thrips. Last are the various outdoor plant- several reasons, cannot be grown in the In addition, the indoor plants can’t at- ing beds and areas around the Sciences other two greenhouses. Venus fly traps, tract insects to digest like those grown Laboratory Building, the south and west of which we have multiple varieties, are outdoors; therefore the leaves of the sides of Storer Hall, and the developing grown in the middle room of GH 62 so outdoor plants are brought in for gory Biological Orchard and Garden (BOG) that the plants can receive an abundant display to show insectivory on tours. adjacent to the Mann Lab. A number Potted Ginkgo trees are also grown of plants used in BIS 2C and 2B as well outside in this area and cycled into the as multiple upper division courses are SLB greenhouse on a quarterly basis to grown on the east side of the Science guarantee leafy specimens all year round Laboratory Building. This includes the for BIS 2C and several other courses. biodiversity sampling beds adjacent to Over the years, we’ve discovered the Center for Plant Diversity. that many species from subtropical and Want to see for yourself? The out- temperate climates will also grow and door growing areas around the Sciences perform better when grown outside Laboratory Building and Storer Hall and rather than in the greenhouses. On the BOG are, of course, always open, the west side of the Conservatory a and the greenhouses are generally open number of stone plants (Lithops) and to the public Monday-Friday from 9-5 related Aizoaceae are grown outdoors and on weekends by special arrange- The loss of this majestic Coast Live Oak in to receive their seasonal temperatures. ments such as paid group tours. We front of Storer Hall due to an unidentified Doug Walker, who recently retired, has also open the Conservatory for campus Phytopthora infestation was a major loss. been volunteering his time to bring back wide events each year like Biodiversity However, the absence of this tree opened up the quantity, quality, and diversity of Museum Day and Picnic Day. more sunny beds for planting. these species since they are a favorite of Photo: E. Sandoval his (and of visitors) as well as excellent E. Sandoval 2 RECENT GIFTS

Herbarium Endowment Herbarium Operations Davis Botanical Society Beth Lowe Corbin (in memory of June H. T. Harvey & Associates Student Grants Fund McCaskill) Johanna Kwan Kai Battenberg Lewis Feldman Bruce & Heather Westlund Barbara Monroe Russell Huddleston Alan Yen Mandy Tu & Philip Rogers (in memory Julie Knorr of L. Mitich) Sue Nichol Herbarium Gifts in Kind Shannon Still Gerald Dickinson Jack Major Student Grant Fund Mandy Tu & Philip Rogers Anonymous Roberto Urtecho Conservatory Endowment Mary Hektner J. Giles Waines (in memory of G. Tom Rost Webster) Georgie Waugh (in memory of N. Conservatory Operations Crosby) Reynotta Hoberecht Thank you for Alan Whittemore Carole Ludlum Carol Witham Jade Neely your support! Gary Zamzow San Francisco Succulent & Cactus Society

BIODIVERSITY MUSEUM DAY 2017 IN THE HERBARIUM

Over 750 people visited the Center for Plant Diversity herbarium on February 18th for the annual UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day. In five years of putting on this event, this was our largest crowd, and attendees came from over two hours away. The Botanical Conservatory had an equally impressive showing this year along with the other collections that participated. Herbarium visitors got to watch and ask questions as our student workers, Binh, Mai, and Sarina demonstrated the specimen mounting process. Our volun- teers, Lahari, Jennifer, Hong, and Juliana, were also a huge help with directing visitors to the herbarium and assisting with our conifer exhibit and pine cone petting zoo. Ellen Dean and I led tours of our collections area and explained why herbaria are essential resources for identifying plants and studying their biology. I have to say, one of my favorite things about giving tours is seeing the looks on peoples’ faces when we take out a still-green specimen that is over 100 years old. It’s a nice attention-getter and provides a great opportunity to talk about the long-term scientific value of natural history collections. D. McNair A tour group being led through the herbarium collections area. Photo: D. McNair

Volunteer and graduate student Jennifer Haskell shows attendees The herbarium pine cone petting zoo. how to look at a pine pollen cone through the microscope. Photo: K. Keatley Garvey Photo: K. Keatley Garvey 3 WHERE CAN I GO TO SEE WILDFLOWERS NEAR DAVIS?

Spring wildflower season is here! again this year. A plant list for the ranch While Stebbins Cold Canyon is always is included in the Cache Creek Natural spectacular, in the interest of giving you Area Report available at the herbarium some options, we asked a few Davis website under plant lists and floras flower-fanciers about their favorite spots (http://herbarium.ucdavis.edu). The within an easy drive (an hour or so) of meadow has tidy tips, goldfields, lark- Davis. Here are four interesting places spur (Delphinium), clovers (Trifolium), to check out from people who know monkeyflowers (Mimulus), and many best. other wildflowers. The hillside has Ithu- For Sacramento Valley species, riel’s spear (Triteleia laxa), golden fairy Robbin Thorp, professor emeritus of lanterns (Calochortus amabilis), and entomology, recommends Jepson Prairie Chinese houses (Collinsia heterophylla) (managed by the Solano Land Trust and between the burned shrubs of the the UC Natural Reserve System) which chaparral. At this writing, Highway 16 is located along Highway 113, 12 miles is closed at the Yolo/Colusa County line south of Dixon. Jepson Prairie abounds due to a mudslide, and so you might with spectacular showy vernal pool Houndstongue (Cynoglossum grande) have to drive there via I-5. flowers, such as goldfieldsLasthenia ( ), along County Road 53 in spring 2017. For Sierran Foothills wildflowers, tidy tips (Layia), and meadowfoam Photo: J. Shepard Art Shapiro, UC Davis Professor of (Limnanthes). April is probably the peak Ecology and Evolution, suggests head- month for bloom. Jepson Prairie also display. Take Rt 16 from Woodland ing northeast from Davis along I-80 has many less showy flowers that are of through the Capay Valley to Guinda. to Iowa Hill Road, just SSE of Colfax. special interest due to their rarity and The Guinda Post Office will be on your Drivers get off at the Colfax/Grass Valley endemism. The self-guided trail next right, a general store on the left. Go left exit and make their way to Iowa Hill to the parking lot is open to the public on Forest Ave and continue straight from dawn to dusk every day. Guided until you see the signs: No parking past tours by trained docents are provided this point. If you cannot park before the on Saturday and Sunday mornings start- signs, you’ll need to go back, park in the ing in March and continuing to about Post Office lot, and walk back. After Mother’s Day or whenever the biting the signs, the road turns left and there flies come out. More information is is a gate and a stile. There may be loose available at: http://www.solanolandtrust. longhorn cattle. Dogs must be leashed. org/JepsonPrairie.aspx It is required to stay on the road (county For Northern Coast Range special- right of way), as the area is all private ties, another great accessible wildflower property. The route is accessible by foot. Students at Bear Creek Ranch in 2016. hotspot within a short drive of Davis It dead ends at about 4.7 mi from the Photo: D. McNair was suggested by UC Davis Center for first gate and features a view of the falls Plant Diversity Collections Manager, (when there is water) and views of the Road via Canyon Way. Iowa Hill Road Jean Shepard. She hikes County Road valley as the road climbs about 1000 dips into the American River canyon 53 in Yolo County several times each ft. There are many spring wildflowers and there are places to park along the spring to view the changing wildflower including shooting stars (Dodecatheon), roadside to view the many species of warrior’s plume (Pedicularis), pipevine wildflowers growing on the serpentine (Aristolochia), blue dicks (Dichelo- soils which peak in late April to late stemma), lupines and more. Watch for May (depending on the weather). There poison oak. is excellent serpentine at Burnt Flat (but Ellen Dean, UC Davis Center for there is tremolite asbestos; be warned!). Plant Diversity Curator, says that one of The many cliffs and N-facing slopes her favorite spots is Bear Creek Ranch before the American River crossing, as (this large BLM property is open-access well as the WSW-facing slopes after the land located southwest of the intersec- crossing, offer an immense variety of tion of highways 16 and 20 in Colusa things with a seasonal succession Febru- County). Easy access to the ranch is ary to June. Flowers seen during previ- available along Highway 20 just west ous outings include numerous species of 16. There is a large turn-out on the of lupine, including harlequin lupine north side of Highway 20 opposite the ( stiversii), and multiple species Chinese houses, Ithuriel’s spear, and golden ranch’s corral. The large meadow and of lotus (Acmispon), gilia, and monkey- fairy lanterns blooming in profusion in hillside facing Highway 20 burned in flower, as well as several genera of lilies. burned chaparral at Bear Creek Ranch in the summer of 2015, and the colorful E. LoPresti, E. Dean, J. Shepard, April, 2016. Photo: E. Dean wildflowers were spectacular in late R. Thorpe, A. Shapiro April and May last year and will be great 4 STATUS REVIEW OF TWO RARE COASTAL PLANTS

individuals. Primary threats to this spe- cies include habitat destruction, tram- pling, and bluff top erosion. Encroach- ment of invasive ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis) is also threatening the coast yellow leptosiphon population. A small housing development is planned on the property immediately adjacent to the coast yellow leptosiphon population, which could result in habitat modifica- tion and impacts to this species due to altered runoff patterns, introduction of chemicals such as herbicides, fertilizers, or pesticides, and increased human use of the area. Coast yellow leptosiphon is highly vulnerable to extinction because of its limited distribution and small popula- tion size, and any change or modi- Coast yellow leptosiphon. Photo: C. Burton fication of its habitat could result in Lassics lupine. Photo: A. Ryan extinction of the entire species. The Two plant species, coast yellow leptosi- property that supports the coast yellow sics lupine were also negatively affected phon (Leptosiphon croceus) and Lassics leptosiphon colony is located within the by the Lassics Fire in July and August of lupine (Lupinus constancei), are cur- Fitzgerald Marine Reserve owned by San 2015. Monitoring and research of this rently candidates for listing as endan- Mateo County, but the site is currently species indicates the populations are gered under the California Endangered unmanaged. declining. Species Act. The Lassics lupine is an herbaceous The California Department of Fish Coast yellow leptosiphon is a low- perennial plant in the pea (Faba- and Wildlife (CDFW) is currently con- growing annual plant in the Phlox ceae) that was first described in 1983. ducting status reviews for coast yellow family (Polemoniaceae) that produces This species is low-growing (up to six leptosiphon and Lassics lupine. At the dense heads of bright yellow flowers. inches tall) and produces dense clusters conclusion of the status review, CDFW It is only known from one population, of pink and rose-colored flowers that will produce a peer-reviewed report which is located on Vallemar Bluff in bloom in July. Lassics lupine grows on for each species evaluating whether Moss Beach, San Mateo County. This open barren slopes in and near serpen- continued existence is in serious danger population is located in coastal prairie tine soils among a scattered assemblage or is threatened by habitat destruction. habitat atop a sea bluff at the edge of the of shrubs and forbs. Portions of the Other threats that will be evaluated will coastline on a marine terrace. Its habitat populations are found at the edge of include habitat modification, over- supports a diverse array of perennial or within Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi)/ exploitation, predation, competition, grasses and annual and perennial forbs, incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) disease and/or other natural occurrences including two other rare plant species: forest or growing under an overstory of or human-related activities. The Fish Blasdale’s bent grass (Agrostis blasdalei) Jeffrey pine. and Game Commission, based on that and johnny-nip (Castilleja ambigua var. The Lassics lupine is only known report and other information in the ad- ambigua). from two populations on the slopes of ministrative record, will then determine When first described by botanist Mount Lassic and Red Lassic within Six whether listing each species as endan- Alice Eastwood in the early 1900’s, coast Rivers National Forest in Humboldt and gered is warranted. yellow leptosiphon was observed cover- Trinity counties, at elevations between A petition to list Lassics lupine as ing the ground for several acres. Since 5,200 and 5,700 feet above sea level. endangered under the federal Endan- then, much of the coastal prairie habitat Both populations together were reported gered Species Act has also been submit- has been eliminated as a result of ag- to occupy an area of less than four acres ted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service riculture, urban development, habitat in 2014. Primary threats to this species and is currently under review. fragmentation, and non-native plant include seed predation by small mam- For more information on these and encroachment. Currently, the coast yel- mals, herbivory by deer and/or rab- other California Endangered Species Act low leptosiphon population occupies bits, forest encroachment, and climate threatened and endangered species list- an area that is approximately 0.04 acre change. In addition, the area occupied ing petitions please visit the California (1,800 square feet) in size, which is less by Lassics lupine in the saddle of Mount Fish and Game Commission website at than half the size of a basketball court. Lassic has diminished since 2002, www.fgc.ca.gov/CESA. Estimates of population size conducted potentially as a result of high levels of C. Burton in 1998 and 1999 noted between 400 solar radiation and virtually snow-free and 1,000 plants, with the most recent winters, which could be linked to cli- estimate in 2015 reporting less than 500 mate change. Both populations of Las- 5 BLISS AT TAHOE (CONT. FROM PAGE 1)

(Quercus vacciniifolia), bush chinquapin (Chrysolepis sempervirens), creeping snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis), green leaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula), and tobacco brush (Ceanothus velutinus). The conifer forest hosts a notewor- thy diversity and abundance of myco- heterotrophs in the Ericaceae that have no green pigment and/or lack leaves, such as snow plant (Sarcoides sanguin- ea), pinedrops (Pterospora andromedea), sugarstick (Allotropa virgata), and win- tergreen (Pyrola spp.). We were sur- Toothed wintergreen has grey glaucous prised to learn that the online version leaves that differ from white veined win- of the Jepson Manual now divides Pyrola tergreen. Photo: M. Starbuck picta into three species: white veined green (Pyrola dentata, distinguished by wintergreen (Pyrola picta, distinguished its grey-glaucous leaves), and leafless UCLA student Margaret Starbuck photo- by its white veins), toothed winter- wintergreen (Pyrola aphylla, notable for graphs the famous snow plant that burst through the asphalt at D.L. Bliss. not having any leaves). These three spe- Photo: D. McNair cies all grow at D. L. Bliss, sometimes together. fendleri), and monkeyflower Mimulus( If you are visiting the park, you can spp.). see most of these species by hiking the The most common trees in the Rubicon Trail which runs north-south mixed conifer forest are white fir Abies( along the park and affords some grand concolor), Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi), views of Lake Tahoe. In particular, at the sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), and southern end of the park, the Rubicon incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens). In trail crosses over the unnamed south- wetter and colder parts of the park, red ern drainage and is a great spot to see fir (Abies magnifica) and western white several of the orchid species mentioned pine (Pinus monticola) occur. Along the above. In general, the best time to catch lakeshore and in the dry forests there things in bloom is late June through are occasional ponderosa pines (Pinus July. More info on the park available at ponderosa) while some of the drainages www.parks.ca.gov. A list have lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ssp. for D. L. Bliss State Park, based on our murrayana). Common shrubs in the report, will soon be available at http:// chaparral and dry upland mixed coni- herbarium.ucdavis.edu/plantlistsandflo- fer forest are mahala mat (Ceanothus ras.html. Leafless wintergreen lacks leaves. prostratus), pinemat manzanita (Arcto- E. Dean & D. McNair staphylos nevadensis), huckleberry oak Photo: D. McNair LAW FAMILY ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS This year we received the first endow- (Solanaceae). She will be presenting her ment interest proceeds from The Law research at this spring’s UC Davis Un- Family Endowment. The Law Family dergraduate Research Conference and at Endowment was established by Dr. E. Botany 2017 in Fort Worth. Eric Grissell, whom we profiled inLas - John began by volunteering for us as thenia volume 41 in 2014. Interest from a specimen filer and helping with many this endowment now funds one to sev- different herbarium tasks, and we hired eral student scholarships for undergrad- him this past summer to help us label uates associated with the herbarium. collections. He is currently working on We awarded our first Law Family curating Jim Neilson’s Mayacmas Flora scholarships to seniors Mayra Huerta collections. He also works on research and John Schroder. Mayra has been with Sharon Strauss on jewel flowers working at our herbarium for a year (Streptanthus). Congratulations to these and a half. She began as a mounter, and bright young botanists! she is now carrying out a taxonomic E. Dean Mayra Huerta with a Lycianthes type research project on the genus Lycianthes specimen. Photo: D. McNair 6 A DAY IN THE MARSH

On October 8, 2016, Davis Botanical So- Distichlis spicata), ciety members enjoyed a day at South- and we learned that ampton Bay Wetland Natural Preserve although growing near the town of Benicia in the San in a wet habitat, the Francisco Bay Area delta. The field trip marsh plants need was led by expert botanists Drs. Brenda adaptations that help Grewell (current DBS board member) conserve water (such and Peter Baye, who donated their time as the C4 metabolism and energy to pull together an incred- found in saltgrass). ible wealth of information on the marsh. Also interesting was They told us about the botanical history the discussion of the of the area, and the marsh in particular, alkaline grasslands with reference to Willis Lynn Jepson, that occur on the Herbert Mason, Annie Alexander and edges of the marsh; many others. They gave us the most these grasslands have up-to-date information on the needs of numerous plants in Davis Botanical Society members listening to Brenda Grewell healthy marshlands, the history of how common with the alka- and Peter Baye at Southhampton Bay marsh. Photo: D. McNair this particular marsh was created, and line plains found in the the dismal predictions for what may Central Valley. happen to this marsh and others in the Weed control in the marsh was and Polypogon monspeliensis. Changes near future with sea rise due to climate discussed at several sites, and we were in the grass flora of its habitat have been change. shown the results of weed control of cited as one reason for its decline. We saw an abundance of marsh two invasive plants, perennial pepper Of particular interest was the discus- plant diversity, including marsh gum- weed (Lepidium latifolium) and black sion of the formation of this delta marsh plant (Grindelia stricta var. angustifolia), rush (Juncus gerardii). The ecology of during the last little ice age in the 19th fleshy jaumea Jaumea( carnosa), seaside both of these plants was discussed, and century, when fresh water inputs were milkwort (Glaux maritima), seaside we saw how weed control efforts in the high and sediment load was also high arrowgrass (Triglochin maritima), marsh have led to more plant diversity due to the gold rush. Sediment loads California sea lavender (Limonium and an increase in abundance of the rar- due to 19th century mining remained californicum), and two varieties of an- est plant in the marsh, soft bird’s beak high until about 20 years ago, and fresh nual saltmarsh aster (Symphyotrichum ( ssp. molle). water inputs have been decreasing for subulatum). decades. The salt marshes described in There were interesting ecological the late 19th and early 20th centuries by and taxonomic details provided for all Willis Lynn Jepson were very different of the plants pointed out by our leaders. in terms of salinity and had a somewhat We learned about zonation in the marsh different flora than when Herbert Mason and how a difference of one to two feet began to study them in the 1950s. They can greatly affect the dominant plants of were also different in terms of dominant the marsh. We saw plants that sequester species and diversity than the floras salt (pickleweed, Salicornia pacifica) as found in the salt marshes today. Cali- well as those that excrete salt (saltgrass, fornia’s coastal marshlands have been losing sediment and decreasing in area. When you couple that with the filling Marsh gumplant. Photo: E. Dean of marshlands for development, and the diking of some areas, preventing natural Soft bird’s beak is a hemiparasite that flooding that could deposit sediment, latches onto other plants for part of its our marshlands are in crisis, even before nutrition, especially perennial herbs. Its you begin discussing rising seas that preferred/best hosts are native perennial may gobble up our remaining coastal halophytic forbs such as pickleweed, marshlands. arrowgrass species and saltgrass. These We thank Drs. Grewell and Baye for native hosts have a lengthy life cycle their incredible dedication to this rare during the growing season to support habitat, their enthusiasm for botany the hemiparasite. Alien annual Mediter- and ecology, and their preparation and ranean grasses that emerge in the winter knowledge (and great plant list). They and die in the spring are poor hosts continued our tradition of really infor- linked to seedling mortality of soft bird’s mative and high-level field trips that are The tip of a soft bird’s beak plant with beak. Dominant annual grasses now a wonderful benefit of membership in excreted salt crystals. found in soft bird’s beak habitat include the Davis Botanical Society. Photo: D. McNair Parapholis incurva, Hainardia cylindrica, E. Dean 7