The

CALYPSO NEWSLETTER OF THE DOROTHY KING YOUNG CHAPTER CALIFORNIA NATIVE SOCIETY

P.O. Box 577, Gualala, CA 95445

$5.00 per year, non-members

Volume 2018, Jul-Aug ‘18

ThThTheTh e Cape Vizcaino Hike: by Rhiannon Korhummel On June 24, a crowd of plant enthusiasts ranging in age from 22 to 90, explored the trails of Cape Vizcaino. Included were local Mendo residents, staff of Save the Redwoods League, Mendocino Land Trust interns, and the land managers hired by the League.

Our first destination was to see the Leprechaun Tree (also called the Octopus Tree), a grand fir, Abies grandis, whose branches and trunks have been beaten by wind to make for a gnarly but amazing sight. We got to experience the wind which the grand fir is exposed to first hand.

The remainder of the walk was along a trail through mixed evergreen forest, coastal grassland, and redwood forest. observed were typical residents of those habitats. One species of note that was observed was redwood lily, rubescens. We saw many shoots, some with buds, although most had been munched by the deer. While it was a cool, windy and foggy day, the company and conversation were warm and sunny. Cape Vizcaino’ s grand fir Octopus Tree with CNPS member Sonya Popow. Jim Gibson photo.

Photos from the Mendonoma Coast Wildflower Show Gualala Community Center, May 26 and 27.

Clockwise from upper left: Nancy Morin sharing plant information, Mario Abreu in front of his poster and book display, Kathleen Chasey’s Dudleya poaching display, Jon Thompson discussing plants, and a close up of the book display.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE by Nancy Morin

We all enjoyed another successful Wildflower Barbara’s work involved researching historical records, Show—our 7th annual! Thanks to everyone mapping possible sites, developing helpful materials, who volunteered, collecting plants, setting up, training people on plant identification and identifying, creating displays, welcoming documentation, and coordinating forays one or more guests, and, of course, taking down and days a week throughout the growing season. Barbara cleaning up. We had about 200 people who created a Citizen Scientist poster for the CNPS Rare Plant came in to view the 150 species that were on offer over Conference in 2015, and her project has served as a Memorial Day weekend. model for other chapters and especially for other It is surprising how long our local species have been communities. We really blooming this year. Folks on the plant walk at Kruse will miss Barbara and are Rhododendron State Reserve near Salt Point in mid-May deeply grateful to her. saw Trillium and Calypso still flowering; it has been a Barbara enlisted Amy bumper year for Lilium maritimum , our coast lily, which is Ruegg (at right) to take still blooming in places. Wyethia angustifolia started over as TSR Rare Plant blooming way early and is still going great guns, while liaison to the DKY Chapter, Helenium bolanderi got a late start and wasn’t available which is such good news. when we collected for the show. Some areas where we Many thanks to Amy for typically collect had been recently brush-hogged, wiping being willing to take on the position. out many plants, although some will recover. Note: we  only take a flowering stem from plants, without causing The Chapter lost a good friend and supporter with the any real damage when collecting for the show. The death of Ken Montgomery on March 27, 2018. Ken and Wildflower Show is educational and always reflects the his wife, Susan Bridge-Mount, moved to Anderson Valley reality of the year and we all learn a lot. in 1978 and created the Anderson Valley Nursery. He was

The Wildflower Show is also a time when we can chat a great plantsman and had been on staff at the Los with DKY members and discuss how the Chapter can Angeles County Arboretum and University of California, Los Angeles before moving to northern California. improve. Several people suggested expanding our events so they have more activities. We’ll do this for the plant sales this fall by offering short lectures during the sale on topics like propagation, assessing your growing conditions, and tips on growing native plants. We’ll focus more on having plants for sale that do well in our area and are especially interesting. We are looking at this as a “Gardening with Native Plants Festival” rather than solely a plant sale and hope to have a great selection of books and other native plant-related items for you as well. A One of Ken’s cul tivars, team of DKY members is organizing the Festival. If you Lavandula 'Lisa Marie', would be willing to help please let me know. Ken Montgomery 1944 -2018 named after his eldest daughter.

Some of you know that Barbara Rice, our In the mid-90s he was executive director of the Sea Ranch rare plant Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. He served as a chair,is moving to consultant and mentor for Jug Handle Creek Farm and Pittsburgh soon. Nature Center. After returning to Anderson Valley, he Barbara did an collaborated with the high school on native plant astounding job of restoration projects and on growing Native American organizing and food plants and trees. training volunteers to Ken was always very generous in his contributions of relocate rare plants plants for the DKY plant sales as well as giving many reported from TSR. Barbara Rice at the 2015 CNPS programs over the years. For a wonderful overview of Conservation Conference Ken’s life, see the Anderson Valley Advertiser, November

20, 2014 issue: http://theava.com/archives/37281



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members of the public were encouraged to attend and CONSERVATION UPDATE: learn more about the process, the proposal, and the steps Current anandd Proposed OHV necessary to complete the studies currently underway.

Activities on MCRPD Property The public forum began with a presentation by Sarah by Renee Pasquinelli Bradley Huff (CRA, MCRPD Ad Hoc Steering Committee, and OHV grant writer), which focused on site cleanup In previous newsletters of the Calypso, we have reported work, mostly by AmeriCorps crews, to remove garbage on the off-highway motor vehicle park plans and current and debris that had been illegally dumped on the use by the Mendocino Coast Recreation and Parks District property. As evidenced by the photos shown in the (MCRPD), in partnership with the California Recreation presentation, the cleanup work is to be applauded. Alliance (CRA) on a 586-acre parcel off Highway 20 in Fort Bragg. This parcel contains some of the rarest However, it was unclear from the presentation how the associations of Mendocino pygmy cypress cleanup related to the development of an OHV park, how (Hesperocyparis pigmaea ) found anywhere in the world. OHV use could improve the property (despite such claims being made), or how development of an OHV park would To date, no environmental review has been completed prevent future illegal activities. After the formal under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) for any presentation, the public was invited to provide comments of the current use and maintenance, which includes OHV of no more than 2 minutes per person. trainings, OHV “birthday parties”, and trenching from heavy equipment to promote road drainage. The MCRPD Todd Keeler-Wolf of CDFW described the Veg-CAMP and CRA have received over $3,000,000 in grant funding surveys and significance of sensitive vegetation on the from the CA Department of Parks and Recreation Off- property. DKY Board members Teresa Sholars, Julia highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division for Larke, and myself spoke in regards to vegetation, planning and restoration, which is to include perimeter hydrology, soils, and the importance of environmental fencing. While CNPS supports fencing to exclude illegal analysis as being critical to project planning…a process OHV use, any work conducted on the property needs to that has yet to be followed. The hydrologic significance of be done carefully and in full compliance with the property was further emphasized by speakers that environmental regulations to protect sensitive species spoke of the high water table, and how OHV-related and vegetation. activities impact surface and ground water that flows into Newman Gulch, a main source of domestic water for the Since the last Calypso newsletter was published, the City of Fort Bragg. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Vegetation Classification unit (Veg-CAMP) completed full Sierra Club members described the lack of environmental vegetation surveys and mapping on the MCRPD property. review, impacting activities that are now occurring, and This scientific work was led and directed by Dr. Todd recommended that no further planning be proposed until Keeler-Wolf and Diana Hickson of CDFW, with support after the property is restored, fenced, and the remaining from local CDFW science staff and CNPS volunteers. As a garbage is removed. It is only after restoration is result of the official Veg-CAMP surveys, 89% of the completed and environmental reviews are in place that property acreage was mapped as sensitive natural planning can begin, involving all community members and communities (see map). One of the rarest of those allowing an examination of a range of property communities is a newly described association of redwood management ideas. forest, the Sequoia sempervirens -Hesperocyparis pigmaea The number of comments for and against the Provisional Association (proposed rarity rankings of G1 S1, development of an OHV park may have been relatively critically imperiled). This documented occurrence of the equal in number at the forum, however it was clear that Sequoia sempervirens -Hesperocyparis vegetation type is those opposed described irreparable impacts (to the highly significant, both in its rarity and the fact that it natural environment, to the local neighborhood, and to covers approximately 30% (173.8 acres) of the 586-acre passive recreational interests), while supporters mainly MCRPD property. want a coastal place to ride OHVs.

Despite the findings and public release of the Veg-CAMP Following the public forum comment period, two survey results and map of the property, the MCRPD and representatives of MIG, Inc., the consulting firm hired by the CRA continue to promote and pursue actions to the MCRPD with funding from the OHMVR Division of further the development of the OHV park and continue State Parks, briefly discussed the EIR and financial OHV trainings. On June 28, 2018, the MCRPD and CRA feasibility study that are being prepared for the proposed held a public forum at Cotton Auditorium in Fort Bragg. OHV park. Victoria Harris, CEQA lead for MIG, Inc., had The purpose, as described on the MCRPD website, was to little information to offer regarding the EIR, as they have discuss the proposed Off-Highway Vehicle Park and all conducted no environmental studies for the project to 3 Jul-Aug 2018 date. She thanked the CDFW for preparing the vegetation information on the OHV park proposal, the environmental map of the property and commented how it would be processes necessary to complete the EIR, how public useful in preparing the EIR. Ms. Harris also stated that opinions would be considered, or when or if the she is preparing a constraints analysis for the proposed regulatory agencies would be consulted. project as part of the EIR. The Draft EIR and the financial feasibility study for the After being pressed, the consultants agreed that the proposed OHV park are expected to be released for public results of the EIR, including mitigation requirements, comment in December 2018. An obvious realization for would be used to inform the financial feasibility study. many in attendance at the public forum was that OHMVR John Huff, MCRPD board member was questioned Division money (obtained primarily from OHV license regarding the use of heavy equipment to drain the roads fees) is driving this focus on OHV development and use. without CEQA; he denied having directed such activities This funding bias ultimately inhibits opportunities to until he was challenged by those in attendance that had pursue alternative non-OHV related uses for the MCRPD observed the impact and had spoken with the equipment property. A next step for CNPS will be to collaborate with operator. other environmental organizations and the agencies to investigate funding options aimed at protecting the Overall, there was frustration expressed by many in property’s significant natural environment. attendance that the public forum offered little to no

4 Jul-Aug 2018

Reyes in Marin County, in “Ledum swamps” and fens by Peter Baye BOTANICAL GEMS between Inverness and the Bull Point. The Bull Point Lilium maritimum Kellogg, COAST LILY locality is the southern limit of the species, where some Photos by Peter Baye individuals of the population are today quite atypical,

Coast lily ( Lilium maritimum ) is the one of the most exhibiting suspect, intermediate traits of more emblematic rare flowering plants in the CNPS Dorothy widespread species like L. pardalinum. King Young Chapter’s Mendocino-Sonoma Coast territory. Though not quite endemic to the Mendocino-Sonoma, its twin coastal centers of geographic abundance occur on marine terraces between Salt Point to Point Arena, and Albion to the vicinity of the Ten Mile River north of Fort Bragg. It is usually found in poorly drained sandy to peaty flats (seasonal wetlands; “low black peaty meadows” in Sereno Watson’s 1880 Botany of California, volume II), or gently sloping terrain including sedge meadows, moist coastal prairie, “Ledum swamps” (fens with western Labrador-tea, Rhododendron glandulosum assemblages), and moist swales or depressions in coniferous forest.

Lilium maritimum showing some traits that grade to L. pardalinum.

Pictured at right is a "Lilium maritimum " variant taken at Bull Point trail west of Schooner Bay, Drakes Estero, Point Reyes, Marin County. The Bull Point plants show resemblance to L. occidentale (absent the yellow-green center) and also to intermediate L. pardalinum . 7/22/2008 Lilium maritimum plants at a large population off Iversen Rd, June 2018.

The oldest Mendocino specimens of coast lily were collected before the type was published: Henry Bolander Traditionally (Jepson and Munz manual eras), the collected coast lily from “Noyo swamps” in 1860, and his northern limit of coast lily was in Mendocino County, undated specimens from “swamps near Albion River” and around the Ten Mile River. But lilies in the coastal “meadows near coast, Mendocino” were probably from Humboldt-Del Norte-southern Oregon range of western the same collecting trip. He identified the plant as “ Lilium lily ( L. occidentale ) have been identified as coast lily, and canadense var. parviflorum ” in the primordial California intermediates and hybrids (which are not rare in Lilium ) botanical exploration era. The precise type locality of may be part of the history of its taxonomic boundaries. coast lily isn’t quite clear: Kellogg’s type specimen came The famous Pitkin Marsh lily (currently treated as L. from “California Coast near San Francisco” in 1876. The pardalinum subsp. pitkinense ) population near Vine Hill locality was described as “near” but not “in” San (Sebastopol) in Sonoma County, had plants that were Francisco, so the “nearest” habitat where historical (and treated by botanists in the 1950s as either coast lily (G.T. modern) relict populations of coast lily occur is Point Robbins, U.C. Berkeley) or western lily (Peter Rubtzoff,

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California Academy of Sciences). Was this just an artifact nurse plants of coast lilies as well as competitors, just as of the weak Jepson (1909, 1925) Lilium keys of the day, western azaleas ( Rhododendron occidentale ) can function based on flower color and flower posture? Intriguingly, as facilitative “nurse plants” providing structural support Rubtzoff identified a single colony of L. pardalinum and partial herbivore shelter for leopard lily, Lilium (before the subspecies pitkinense was distinguished) at pardalinum subsp. pardalinum . Pitkin Marsh, which suggests the possibility of dynamic Coast lily flowers over a long season, usually May through population hybrid back-crosses among relict populations July, varying with local microclimate and soil drainage. over time – perhaps like the isolated Point Reyes coast lily The distinctive, diagnostic features of coast lily are easily population. observed when the plant is in flower: though its flower The dense swampy, woody thickets in which mature, buds “nod” (droop), open flowers are held at near- flowering coast lilies sometimes grow are not the typical horizontal or slightly ascending. The tepals (petal-like habitat for seedlings and vegetative juvenile plants. perianth segments) range from orange-scarlet to darker Seedlings and juvenile coast lilies tend not to establish red (varying with stage of development/age, and pigment under deep shade and leaf litter of dense scrub, but variation among individuals), with relatively few darker colonize vegetation gaps in scrub, sedge meadow, or maroon spots mostly on the inside of the flower (inner coastal prairie in favorable years with wet winter and face of tepals). The maroon spots are not surrounded by spring months. Our current post-drought conditions, with strongly contrasting wide yellow-orange halos as they are residual vegetation dieback patches (gaps with reduced in leopard lily flowers (see photos below). competition) seem to be providing brief windows of disturbance opportunity for coast lily seedling establishment and juvenile growth in moist coastal prairie or sedge meadows, and disturbed temporary openings in swampy scrub. But the rewards of reduced competition and shading in vegetation gaps come with risk as well, such as exposure of visible shoots to browsing deer – a significant cause of reproductive failure and loss of growth for coast lily.

The lea ves of coast lily are not

usually whorled Lilium maritimum flower s are held at near horizontal as in leopard lily and tepals recurve less than a third of length of the but on very large bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flower. plants, they shift from scattered to

a whorled arrangement.

Coast lilies grow through canopies of surrounding plants, up to a height of about four feet, and rarely a spectacular 6 foot height. Bolander reported that in “sheltered situations” coast lily grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet, “bearing numerous flowers”. Semi-shaded leaves beneath sedge or shrub canopies are often out of sight from deer. The shoot segments that emerge above canopy height This Lilium pardalinum flower shows a characteristic droop have a chance for better light exposure, flowering, and and tepals recurve to near the base of the flower (generally more than half their length). Haupt Creek, tributary of set, as long as they escape herbivory. Associated Gualala River Wheatfield Fork. shrubs like western Labrador-tea can sometimes act as

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Coast lily flowers often have a glossy look and waxy feel, Native Trees of unlike the matte finish of leopard lily flowers. I can find no ttthethehehe Gualala River Watershed reference to fragrance in coast lily flowers, and I have detected none. Most coast lilies bear one to six flowers per plant, and a maximum of about 12.

The conservation issues for coast lily are unfortunately too familiar, and too numerous. Residential development and drainage of seasonally wet meadows on marine terraces, timber harvests with inadequate plant surveys and protective measures are among the most widespread threats. Ground (soil) disturbances that trigger invasions of non-native grasses and broadleaf weeds are a common cause of habitat degradation. It is difficult to detect coast lilies in surveys unless they flower, and flowers are not likely to be observed (or identifiable to Western Hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla ) L. Baker photo

species) if deer browsing pressures are high. Even Laura Baker has added the Western Hemlock, Tsuga “protected” populations can be at risk: the roadside ditch heterophylla , treatment to the “Native Trees of the bank wetland vegetation with coast lily colonies along Gualala River Watershed” link on the Friends of the Highway 1 at the south end of Salt Point were (illegally) Gualala River (FOGR) website. The treatments offer sprayed with herbicides a couple years ago. Fortunately, detailed descriptions of the species, as well as life the coast lilies have recovered, at least partially. history, ecology, uses, and conservation status, with Coast lilies do propagate from seed and from scales, accompanying photos throughout. Laura plans to if you have permission from private landowners fortunate provide treatments on each of the more than three to have robust populations. They are not much more dozen tree species native to the Gualala River difficult to start from seed or bulb scales than leopard lily, Watershed and the following are completed: but they are much more slow-growing than leopard lily. Western Hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla ) Coast lilies are much more sensitive to summer heat and California Buckeye ( Aesculus californica ) dryness than leopard lilies, and require more shade when Red Alder ( Alnus rubra ) growing inland. Like most lilies that grow from bulb-like White Alder ( Alnus rhombifolia ) scaly rhizomes, coast lilies are vulnerable to below- California Bay Laurel ( Umbellularia californica ) ground herbivores like gophers and voles. To keep native Coast Redwood ( Sequoia sempervirens ) plant horticulture of coast lilies from conflicting with its Visit: http://gualalariver.org/category/nature/trees/ conservation, don’t propagate them near riparian zones with leopard lily, which could lead to expansion of hybrid zones. 

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Join local naturalist and former MCBG Gardener, Mario Abreu, for walks in the Garden’s collections. First Mondays’ at 1:30 pm August 6 , September 3 (Labor Day), and October 1 . https://www.gardenbythesea.org/calendar/collection s-walks/ From the website: “ Shade toleran t trunks of western hemlocks grow erect rather than twisting or leaning to reach sunlight.” L. Baker photo.

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DOROTHY KING YOUNG C HAPTER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION OFFICERS 2018 DOROTHY KING YOUNG

CHAPTER PRESIDENT: Nancy Morin, 882-2528

[email protected] Membership in the California Native Plant Society is open to all. VICE PRESIDENT: OPEN The task and mission of the Society is to increase awareness, SECRETARY: Laura Baker, [email protected] understanding, and appreciation of California native plants. The TREASURER: Lloyd Chasey, [email protected] challenge is to preserve their natural habitat through scientific, COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS educational, and conservation activities. Membership includes CONSERVATION co-chairs: subscriptions to Fremontia, Flora and the chapter newsletter, the Calypso . Peter Baye, [email protected] Renee Pasquinelli, [email protected] Name ______EDUCATION co-chair Mario Abreu 937-3155 Address ______FIELD TRIPS Rhiannon Korhummel [email protected] City ______Zip ______

Tel. ______E-mail ______HISTORIAN Ramona Crooks 884-3585

HOSPITALITY OPEN Please check, or name a chapter; CNPS will make INVASIVE PLANTS Doug Forsell [email protected] assignment if none is specified by applicant.

MEMBERSHIP Bob Rutemoeller 884-4426 I wish to affiliate with the DKY Chapter ______NEWSLETTER Julia Larke [email protected] or, other chapter ______

PLANT SALES OPEN MEMBERSHIP CATEGOCATEGORYRYRYRY

PLANT WATCH OPEN Student/Limited Income $25 BOOKS & POSTERS Mario Abreu 937-3155 Individual $45 PUBLICITY Susan Wolbarst [email protected] Family/International/Library $75 PROGRAMS OPEN - Nancy Morin (temp) Plant Lover $100 RARE & ENDANGERED: Patron $300 Benefactor $60 Coordinator Teresa Sholars [email protected] Inland OPEN Make check to: California Native Plant Society

The Sea Ranch Amy Ruegg [email protected] Mail check and application to: South Coast Jon Thompson 884-4847 Bob Rutemoeller, Membership Committee VEGETATION Teresa Sholars [email protected] DKY Chapter, CNPS PO Box 577 WEBMASTER Mindy Eisman [email protected] Gualala, CA 95445

Unless otherwise listed, area code is 707. Next Board Meeting : Aug 3, Friday, 11 am to 1 pm, location TBD. For more information, please contact Nancy Morin at [email protected] , 882-2528. All members are welcome to attend Board meetings.

Calypso newsletter: If you wish, you may receive the

emailed pdf version of the newsletter rather than the

mailed hardcopy. Please contact Bob Rutemoellerat 884-4426 [email protected] . You can also view the newsletter at www.dkycnps.org .

Mimulus aurantiacus, sticky monkey flower, Save the Kathy Silva, origami artist, created this display for a July 2 Redwoods League’s Cape Vizcaino property, June 24, program she gave at Coast Community Library in Point Arena for 2018. Jim Gibson photo. the Summer Reading Program. The children learned about the poaching of Dudleya plants and we then created origami live forever plants. 8 Jul-Aug 2018