About the Native Plants & Vegetation CommunitiesGo Native Invasives Are San Dieguito River Park From afar, there doesn’t seem to be much change in the River Park as the seasons pass. But the more you in the Garden! Unwelcome Established in 1989, the San Dieguito River Park visit—especially at different times of year—the more you will notice the subtle and gradual changes that Water conservation is a way of life in Southern Often planted for show or erosion control, many stretches over 55 miles from Volcan Mountain near Plants make the River Park beautiful and unique. There are four distinct vegetation communities here, exhibiting a California. You can do your part to protect the non-native species become a problem when they Julian to the ocean between Del Mar and Solana spectacularly diverse palette of textures, colors and features that make each community’s plants so well suited health of our watershed and its habitats by using escape backyards and invade natural areas. Beach and provides nature enthusiasts with striking to our semi-arid climate. Facing less than 20 inches of rain a year on average and sometimes extremes in drought-tolerant plants for your landscaping These foreign invaders degrade water quality, examples of San Diego County’s natural landscape of the temperature, these species are truly masters of adaptation. And don’t forget to look closely…small is beautiful needs. Native plants are an even better choice! increase the risk of flooding and eliminate from the mountains to the ocean. The River Park in the River Park! Many of the River Park’s prettiest wildflowers are only a few inches high, blooming right They… important habitat that is vital to wildlife by aims to permanently protect the sensitive lands and crowding out native species. You can help protect along the trails between the months of February and May. Are naturally pest-resistant water resources within a Focused Planning Area San Dieguito native vegetation communities by not planting Attract many beneficial insects and provide compatible recreational opportunities the species shown here. that gently interface with nature. Salt Marsh is characterized by very specialized by very drought- and heat-tolerant shrubby species Need no fertilizers or soil amendments River Valley plant species that tolerate saline soils and periodic that can grow to well over head high, resembling an Do well in poor soil The San Dieguito River Park is a multi-jurisdictional, “elfin forest”. Chaparral and coastal sage scrub regional greenway governed by a Joint Powers inundation as the tide or winter rains flood lower Need little to no supplemental water Authority made up of representatives from San Diego elevations. Salt marsh plants grow low to the species may intermingle in the middle elevations. once established County, the cities of San Diego, Poway, Escondido, ground and can be found in our coastal wetland Oak Woodland reaches to the highest Not a gardener? Not a problem! Less is more Solana Beach, Del Mar and the River Park’s Citizens areas, providing foraging and nesting habitat for elevations in the River Park and is interspersed with natives…the less attention they get, the Advisory Committee. The Joint Powers Authority the endangered Belding’s Savannah Sparrow. with golden, grassy meadows in late summer. Five better. A native plant garden can be designed to partners with the San Dieguito River Valley Coastal Sage Scrub surrounds our coastal different species of oak can be seen along the attract birds and butterflies, too. Penstemons, Conservancy, the Friends of the San Dieguito River wild lilacs, sages, fuschia-flowered gooseberry Valley and other organizations to accomplish its wetlands and extends inland to about 1500´in Five Oaks Trail on Volcan Mountain. California elevation. Waist-high, drought-tolerant plants Incense Cedar, in the cypress family, is a remnant and California fuschia are just some of the Canary Island Date Palm goals of preservation, interpretation and public colorful choices that will bring winged wildlife Phoenix canariensis of the region’s wetter past. access to the rich and varied natural and cultural dominate this vegetation community, which is an to your doorstep. resources the River Valley has to offer. important complement to wetlands such as the Riparian species are water-loving and can be Formed in 1986, the San Dieguito River Valley intertidal marshes found in the San Dieguito Lagoon. found throughout the River Park along its streams, You can further optimize your water use by Conservancy is dedicated to preserving the natural Coastal sage scrub is rapidly disappearing with grouping plants according to their water needs ponds and in the finger canyons that drain to the and replacing thirsty lawns. A drip irrigation resources of the San Dieguito River Valley through development along the coast. valley bottom. The Arroyo Willow is an important system will provide additional water savings for land acquisition, public outreach and education. Chaparral is found in the inland areas of the nesting tree for the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo. those areas that need it during the dry months. The Conservancy also promotes public stewardship River Park, extending from approximately 1000´ to Sandy-bottom, slow-moving streams provide critical Monitor your irrigation system for overspray, of the precious gifts of clean water, wildlife 3500´ in elevation. This community is characterized habitat for the Arroyo Toad. particularly onto hard surfaces, use mulch to habitat and biodiversity the River Valley sustains. shade bare soil and avoid watering during the It encourages the involvement of homeowners, hottest part of the day. Fountain Grasses government agencies, other non-profit partners Pennisetum spp. and our youngest citizens in protecting them. Because the watershed varies in climate, soil We welcome you to visit the San Dieguito With special thanks to and elevation, visit your local native plant Also avoid ice plant varieties such as hottentot River Park to explore and enjoy all it has to offer! the Metropolitan Water nursery to find out what plants will do best in fig (Carpobrotus edulis) and Mesembryanthemum your area. Better yet, take a walk in the River spp., pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), Visit www.sdrp.org to learn more about the District and its Community Park to see what your recommended selections Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle), castor River Park and the many opportunities to get Partnering Program for a generous grant that made look like in a natural setting, especially in winter bean (Ricinus communis) and Mexican fan palm involved through current activities or as a volunteer. and spring when natives flourish. And, encourage (Washingtonia robusta). Visit www.sdrp.org to this brochure possible. Please visit www.sdrvc.org to find out how you neighbors or your homeowners association to find out how you can assist the River Park in can become a member and help us secure our use low-water landscaping techniques…the removing non-native plants and restoring native natural legacy. watershed will love you for it! habitats as a volunteer.
The San Dieguito Lake Henshaw Watershed &
Coast-to-Crest Trail Cleveland Map National Forest The San Dieguito Watershed covers 346 square OCEANSIDE Anza Borrego miles and is the fourth largest in San Diego County. Desert The San Dieguito River Park’s Focused Planning VISTA State Lake Wohlford Park Area encompasses 80,000 acres—over one third of the watershed—and aims to protect the San Legend Dieguito River from its headwaters at over 5,000 SAN MARCOS feet on the Pacific Crest to the San Dieguito San Dieguito Watershed Pamo Lagoon, one of the last remaining coastal wetlands Valley Volcan San Dieguito River Park Mountain in California. Focused Planning Area CARLSBAD Boden 9 As you travel along the San Dieguito River’s Oak Woodland Canyon path, you will encounter a remarkable variety of ESCONDIDO Sutherland Chaparral Reservoir 8 plants across four vegetation communities—these SANTA YSABEL Wild Animal are color-coded in the map at the right. Besides Coastal Sage Scrub Park incredible biodiversity, the highlight of the San 5 Dieguito River Park will be its Coast-to-Crest Trail, Salt Marsh Lake Hodges Bernardo San Pasqual LA COSTA Mountain Valley winding over 55 miles from the top of Volcan 6 JULIAN Mountain to the beach between Del Mar and 3 Solana Beach. Open Trails ENCINITAS San Dieguito 12 RAMONA Over half of the Coast-to-Crest Trail is already in Reservoir 1 2 RANCHO Lake Ramona place, giving River Park visitors the chance to see 1 Piedras Pintadas 7 Riverpath Del Mar RANCHO BERNARDO each of these special plant communities up close CARDIFF SANTA FE 10 San Dieguito River Park year-round. Most of the Park’s trails are multi-use, 2 Highland Valley 8 Volcan Mountain BY THE SEA Focused Planning Area open to hikers, bikers and equestrian users. Please North Shore Santa Ysabel Open 3 9 respect adjacent private property and protect Lake Hodges Space Preserve SOLANA BEACH natural areas by staying on designated trails. And Crest Canyon Santa Fe Valley Cleveland 4 10 San Dieguito National Forest please remember, the collection of plant or animal 11 POWAY 5 Clevenger Canyon 11 Lagoon Boardwalk Watershed specimens is strictly prohibited. North & South 7 Visit the River Park website at www.sdrp.org for 6 Mule Hill/San Pasqual 12 Del Dios Gorge 4 San Dieguito detailed information about the trails shown on the Lagoon DEL MAR map at the right. Enjoy your visit! CARMEL VALLEY
San Dieguito River Park SALT MARSH COASTAL SAGE SCRUB CHAPARRAL OAK WOODLAND 18372 Sycamore Creek Road • Escondido, CA 92025 • (858) 674-2270 Alkali Heath RIPARIAN Frankenia salina
Low, spreading; OAK WOODLAND tiny succulent leaves; small pink to purple radial flowers with five SALT MARSH petals Salt Heliotrope Blue Dicks Canyon Live Oak Englemann Oak Heliotropium curassivicum Dichelostemma capitatum Quercus chrysolepis Quercus engelmannii Low, spreading; light green linear Small light purple to white flowers in Massive, broad tree with spreading Light, scaly bark; light grey-green leaves; small white star-shaped Arroyo Willow dense cluster atop slender stalk; few trunk; ovate leaves with smooth leaves with smooth edges; drought flowers with purple or yellow centers Salix lasiolepis grasslike leaves edges; large acorns with thick cupule deciduous Long, elliptical leaves; yellow-green spiked catkins turning fuzzy; deciduous Grape Soda Lupine Lupinus excubitus Low, spreading shrub with grey- green palmately compound leaves; numerous light Pickleweed Saltwort purple flowers on Coast Live Oak Mexican Manzanita Salicornia virginica Batis maritima tall stalks Quercus agrifolia Arctostaphylos pungens Low, growing into mats; succulent Low, spreading into mats; medium- California Sycamore Dark green serrated veined leaves; Woody, branching shrub with dark leaves resemble stacked pickles sized fleshy leaves and tiny white Platamus racemosa yellowish catkins and long pointed red bark and light grey-green leaves; flowers along stem Large palmate leaves; red spiny fruit acorns; Scrub Oak similar but smaller, light pink bell-shaped flowers; small turning green then brown shrub-like berries Salt Grass Salty Susan Cream Cup Sierra Distichlis Jaumea Platystemon Gooseberry spicata carnosa californicus Ribes roezlii Light green Low, spreading Low-growing; Spreading shrub alternating blades into mats; hairy leaves, stems with loose angled upward succulent leaves; and buds; showy branches, thorns; along stem reddish buds and cream-colored hanging purple radial yellow flowers with flowers; edible, flowers with yellow centers, spiny fruit numerous petals California Incense Cedar numerous California Wild Grape Calocedrus decurrens stamens Vitis girdiana Tall tree with soft, reddish bark, thin Climbing vine with tiny white flowers; leaves; flat, winged seeds; aromatic edible purple fruit COASTAL SAGE SCRUB Sticky Blue-Eyed Photos: James Dillane Spice Bush Monkey- Grass Cneoridium flower Sisyrinchium dumosum Mimulus bellum Small white aurantiacus Purple flowers radial flowers Curling linear with six pointed with four petals dark green petals and and yellow leaves on thin yellow center stamens; stems; showy with noticeable dime-sized Black Sage Deerweed non-radial stamen; slender Chaparral Yucca citrus-like fruit Salvia mellifera Lotus scoparius flowers from C leaves Hesperoyucca whipplei yellow to red Yellow-green aromatic elliptical veined Very small yellow flowers turning red Long, narrow, sharp leaves in dense
leaves with rough surface; tiny white on long spikes; few leaves; slender HAPARRAL rosette; single tall stalk with numerous to light purple flowers; heads evenly stems turn red after bloom large white edible flowers spaced along spikes Photo: Margaret L. Fillius
Bush Sunflower Lemonadeberry Torrey Pine Ramona Lilac Pearly Everlasting Toyon Encelia californica Rhus integrifolia Pinus torreyana Ceanothus tomentosus Gnaphalium californicum Heteromeles arbutifolia Medium-sized bush; bright yellow Large bush with ovate to round Only native coastal evergreen; five Large shrub; tiny bright blue flowers Straw-like white flowers with Small white flowers making up dense flower with dark brown disk; ovate leaves; pink to white flowers in small needles per bundle and large cones; in dense heads; serrated veined leaves numerous petals; yellow tip on bud, heads; slightly serrated leaves; bright
leaves clusters; tart-tasting sticky red berries grows here and on Santa Rosa Island on thin branches tan center when open red berries Printed on 50% recycled paper with 25% post-consumer content
Photo: James Dillane Shooting Star Dodecatheon clevelandii Leaves form loose rosette; dramatic white flower with yellow and California (Flat-Top) Live Forever Wild Cucumber Laurel Sumac purple center on White Sage Buckwheat Dudleya pulverulenta Marah macrocarpus Malosma laurina slender stalk Salvia apiana Eriogonum fasciculatum Chalky light grey leaves in rosette; Sprawling vine with lobed leaves, Shiny, folded leaves on red stems; Large, folded light grey aromatic Medium-sized bush with tiny white fused reddish flowers on several tall small white flowers; large spiny fruit Sugarbush (Rhus ovata) related, leaves; small white flowers; heads flowers and pink buds in clusters; stalks; clings to steep slopes farther inland evenly spaced along very tall spikes small linear leaves, lighter underneath Denotes species on San Diego County’s Undesirable Plant List due to flammability. Do not plant within 50 feet of a structure.