Vol. 29, No. 1 January 2001 FREMONTIA

A Journal of the California Native Plant Society

in this issue:

Finding Home by David Fross / 3 • Thoughts on Gardening with Native Plants by Carol Bornstein / 9 • Connections—School Gardens and Native Plants by Carol J. Baird / 12 • The Intersection of Conservation and Gardening: An Overview of the Consequences of Growing California Native Plants by Bart C. O’Brien / 16 • Growing Listed Plants under Federal Law by Jim A. Bartel / 24 • Native Plant Horticulture Resources: A Starting Point for Native Plant Gardening by Sue Rosenthal and friends / 26 • Index to Fremontia: Growing California Native Plants, Volumes 1–28, April 1973–January 2000 Compiled by Vivian Parker / 28 • Natives for Your Garden by Marjorie G. Schmidt / 30 • Growing Coast VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 1 Redwood and Giant Sequoia by Lori Hubbart / 32 • California Redwood: What Is the State Tree? by Allan A. Schoenherr / 34 • Notes and Comments / 36 • Books Received / 36 California Native Plant Society FREMONTIA www.cnps.org MEMBERSHIP VOL. 29, NO. 1, JANUARY 2001 Dues include subscriptions to Fremontia and the Bulletin. Copyright © 2001 California Native Life ...... $1,000 Supporting ...... $75 Plant Society Benefactor ...... $500 Family, Group, International . . . $45 Patron ...... $250 Individual or Library ...... $35 Linda Ann Vorobik, Editor Plant Lover ...... $100 Student/Retired/Limited Income $20 Bart C. O’Brien, Convening Editor Bob Hass, Copy Editor ADDRESSES CHAPTER PRESIDENTS Beth Hansen-Winter, Designer Memberships; Address Changes; Of- (AND DIRECTORS) ficers; General Society Inquiries; Alta Peak (Tulare) . . . . Janet Fanning CALIFORNIA NATIVE Fremontia Advertising: CNPS, 1722 J Bristlecone (Inyo-Mono) . . . . Vacant PLANT SOCIETY Street, Suite 17, Sacramento, CA Channel Islands ...... Lynne Kada 95814. Tel: (916) 447-CNPS (2677); Dorothy King Young (Gualala) . Lori Fax: (916) 447-2727 Hubbart Dedicated to the Preservation of Executive Director: Allen Barnes, East Bay ...... Barbara Ertter the California Native Flora [email protected] El Dorado ...... Amy Hoffman Fremontia (Editor): Dr. L.A. Vorobik, Kern County . . . . . Laura Stockton The California Native Plant Society c/o UC & Jepson Herbaria, 1001 Val- Los Angeles/Santa Monica Mountains (CNPS) is an organization of laymen Vacant and professionals united by an interest ley Life Sciences Bldg. #2465, Berke- ley, CA 94720-2465. (360) 468-3188, Marin County ...... Robert Soost in the native plants of California, open Milo Baker (Sonoma County) . . . . . to all. Its principal aims are to preserve vorobik@ rockisland.com Bulletin: Steve Tyron, Editor, Bulletin Leana Sims the native flora and to add to the Mojave Desert ...... Tim Thomas knowledge of members and the public [email protected] or US Mail to CNPS Office (listed above) Monterey Bay . . . Rosemary Donlon at large by monitoring rare and en- Mount Lassen ...... Jim Bishop dangered plants throughout the state; Rare Plant Botanist: David Tibor, 1722 J St., Suite 17, Sacramento, CA Napa Valley ...... Marcie Danner by acting to save endangered areas North Coast ...... Kim Hayler through publicity, persuasion, and on 95814. (916) 324-3816, dtibor@cnps. org Orange County . . . Daniel Songster occasion, legal action; by providing Redbud (Grass Valley/Auburn) . . . . expert testimony to government Vegetation Ecologist: Julie Evens, CNPS, 1722 J Street, Suite 17, Sacra- Karen Callahan bodies; and by supporting financially Riverside/San Bernardino counties . . and otherwise the establishment of mento, CA 95814. (916) 327-0714, [email protected] Katie Barrows native plant preserves. Much of this Sacramento Valley . . Jennifer Hogan work is done through CNPS Chapters Earth Share Liaison: Halli Mason, 4728 Rosita Place, Tarzana, CA 91356. San Diego ...... Sara Steinhoffer throughout the state. The Society’s San Gabriel Mountains . . Lyn McAfee educational work includes: publication (818) 345-6749 Legal Advisor: Sandy McCoy. (510) San Luis Obispo ...... John Nowak of a quarterly journal, Fremontia, and a Sanhedrin (Ukiah) . Charles Williams quarterly Bulletin which gives news 644-2900 x107; email: wbmccoy@ earthlink.net Santa Clara Valley . . Mary Simpson and announcements of Society events Santa Cruz County . . . Kim Hayes and conservation issues. Chapters hold EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Sequoia (Fresno) . . . . Jeanne Larson meetings, field trips, and plant and President ...... Sue Britting Shasta ...... Craig Martz poster sales. Non-members are Sierra Foothills (Tuolumne, Cala- welcome to attend. VP, Administration . . . . Jim Bishop VP, Finance ...... Steve Hartman veras, Mariposa) . . . . . Patrick Stone The work of the Society is done South Coast (Palos Verdes) . . . Ellen mostly by volunteers. Money is VP, Conservation . . David Chipping VP, Rare Plants ...... Ann Dennis Brubaker provided by the dues of members and Tahoe ...... Michael Hogan by funds raised by chapter plant and VP, Vegetation . . . Deborah Hillyard VP, Education ...... Carol Baird / Willis L. Jepson (Solano) . . . . Mary poster sales. Additional donations, Shaw bequests, and memorial gifts from Lorrae Fuentes VP, Publications . . . . . Greg Jirak / Yerba Buena (San Francisco) . . Randy friends of the Society can assist greatly Zebell in carrying forward the work of the Susan D’Alcamo-Potter Society. Dues and donations are tax- VP, Legislation. . . . . David Magney MATERIALS FOR deductible. VP, Development . . . Sandy McCoy PUBLICATION VP, Chapter Relations . Patt McDaniel Fremontia logo (by L. Vorobik) reprinted Members and others are invited to Recording Secretary . . . Joan Stewart submit material for publication in from The Jepson Manual, J. Hickman, Past President ...... Jake Sigg Ed., 1993, with permission from the Jepson Fremontia. Instructions for contribu- Herbarium, UC. © Regents of the Univer- DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE tors can be found on the CNPS web page, www.cnps.org, or request this sity of California. Charlice Danielsen, John Game, information by contacting Fremontia Diana Hickson, Janell Hillman, Mary Editor, Linda Ann Vorobik, vorobik@ Simpson, Dirk Walters. THE COVER: Native plant garden rockisland. com, or c/o UC and Jepson with leafy reed grass (Calamagrostis CHAPTER PRESIDENTS are also Herbaria, 1001 Valley Life Sciences foliosa). Photograph by D. Fross. members of the Board. Bldg. #2465, Berkeley, CA 94720-2465

2 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 Upper Salinas Valley. Photograph by D. Fross. Finding Home by David Fross

eturning home last spring I ing a long, steep slope up to the longing drew them up that hill? Rtook back roads to the Cen- larger drifts of flowers. Groups com- What is it we seek from these wild tral Coast looking for wild- ing down the hill offered encour- places? flowers. Near Gorman, just beyond agement to those just beginning. I We might take this thought fur- the intersection of Interstate Five watched this procession for a while, ther and ask ourselves another fun- and Highway 138, I stopped to ad- catching pieces of conversation and damental question. Why do we con- mire the broad fields of California laughter on the wind. In their slow, tinue to encourage and promote the poppies covering the hills. Car af- deliberate movements up the slope, use of native plants in our gardens ter car stopped to view the poppies they appeared as pilgrims crossing and landscapes? The question is es- on that windy afternoon. After brief a great floral tapestry, their labor pecially relevant in light of the conversations, the people who were taking them ever closer to some wealth of non-natives available, gathered near the cars began climb- distant shrine. I wonder still, what their clear suitability in our climates

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 3 and soils, and the ubiquitous ex- names: Theodore Payne, Lester remain at the edge of our commu- amples of their successful use in the Rowntree, Howard McMinn, Louis nities and most Californians must California landscape. Certainly Edmonds, Ken Taylor, James Roof, travel for miles to see spring wild- there are compelling ecological, aes- Gerda Isenberg, Austin Griffiths, flowers. thetic, and functional reasons for Dara Emery. Of course there are Why do generic landscapes, the use of California natives, but others—parents who encouraged with no reference to place, domi- something more is at work here. gardening, botanists who coaxed us nate our communities? In much of There is a dimension to this topic over the next hill, or the enthusiastic California we are forced to look to that remains largely unspoken and neighbor with the muddy clump of the distant hills to experience this yet can be found in the ordinary bulbs she insists you must have. I innate sense of belonging. desire to be among the poppies on a suspect we are all linked in this and I believe the answer to these hillside near Gorman. like Antaeus1, we are lost without a questions is clear: we have yet to There are groups and institu- fundamental connection to the earth. make California, or the rest of the tions dedicated to the work of pro- With such a rich history and West, home. We came to this di- moting the use of native species, as evolved wisdom to draw on, why verse and fragile landscape from well as individuals who have been at does so much of the cultivated Cali- earlier frontiers where conditions this work most of their lives. Collec- fornia landscape look like some were not unlike those of northern tively this work has encompassed other place, or like no place at all? Europe. We found this place dif- every habitat and soil imaginable in Why haven’t the medians of our ferent from our experience and were a state famous for its diversity. This highways been filled with native quick to misinterpret and misuse lineage of knowledge is even more grasses? In our Mediterranean cli- the landscape because we entered it comprehensive when the influence mate, with its long summer drought, carrying habits that are inappropri- of teachers and mentors is consid- why does turf cover hundreds of ate and expectations that have ered. Their wisdom and influence is square miles? Why haven’t we fea- proven excessive. We set about re- memorialized in some of our culti- tured the majesty of our native oaks interpreting the landscape in an ef- var names. Rich and carefully re- in the center of our communities? fort to fit our baggage. We asked membered stories surface with their The magnificent annuals of the flora our engineers to build a more fa- miliar landscape and correct the dry 1Antaeus was the son of Gaia and Poseidon. He was a frightful giant who compelled all strang- summer. The dams, canals, con- ers to wrestle with him and defeated or killed them all. He was invincible for as long as he crete riverbeds, and storage basins remained in contact with his mother (the earth), as she supplied him with his strength. Heracles discovered his secret and lifted Antaeus from the ground and strangled him. of our complex water system dem- onstrate the enormity of this effort. The losses are seldom mentioned; All-native landscape, Santa Ynez. Photograph by D. Fross. riparian woodlands, granitic can- yons, and broad wetlands were the price we paid. The impertinence of our culture can be heard in the words of William Mulholland as the first water poured from the Owens Valley into Los Angeles. “There it is, take it.” As a boy growing up in Long Beach, I did not encounter a single native plant in my neighborhood. My memories of home are full of camellias, eucalyptus, and the smell of orange blooms blowing in on Santa Ana winds. It was in the back corner of my grandparents’ Arcadia home that I found the single thread, a massive coast live oak, that would connect me to the native landscape. Wallace Stegner2 suggested in Wolf Willow that whatever landscape a child is exposed to early on will

4 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 become the sort of gauze through which he or she will see all the world afterwards. If this is true, and cer- tainly it has proven so for me, then how can we expect familiarity, affection, or a spiritual affinity to develop with our native flora if the core of the landscapes in our com- munities is foreign? If we continue to remove all trace of nativity in our communi- ties, we perpetuate a legacy of con- quest and oppression set in place by the first Europeans on this con- tinent. We cannot now return our grasslands to their perennial nature, any more than the coastal plain of Southern California can be returned to a broad oak savanna of which my grandparents’ tree was a remnant. The force and magnitude of this change could foster bitterness and Deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens), Santa Ynez. Photograph by D. Fross. regret. How can we possibly counter this loss and find a broader play out across our fields. And why My daughter grew up playing a understanding of community, an not? What do we stand to lose? game in the deer grass, Muhlen- understanding that would include Why shouldn’t our communities bergia rigens, planted next to our our native flora? wear a veneer of the exotic? These house. In the backyard, her swing We might begin with gestures exotics have served us well and de- set sits under a large coast live oak, of regard, reintroducing native spe- fine much of our urban core. Cer- much like the oak from my grand- cies back into our communities and tainly we have more pressing con- parents’ home. The remembered gardens. Oaks and other native trees cerns than the regional character of landscape of her childhood will be could line our boulevards and free- our landscapes. filled with these and other familiar ways. We might plant neighbor- Perhaps. Yet I know for some, native species. She has learned the hoods, corner lots, parks, and in- this issue is worthy of a life’s work rhythm of the acorns, the timing of dustrial complexes with natives un- to which they bring a commitment deer grass panicles, and the names til our communities include, rather founded in a love of place. Not an of the birds living there. The smell than exclude, our flora. We could abstract love, but a precise love for of the wet winter soil under oaks then say, “This is how we make our particular canyons, bluffs, head- will bind her to this place just as the gardens here; these are the species lands, and valleys. Love that requires plants will form her view of the that tell us we are home.” stands and acts, that is tangible in landscape. When she has a home of This could be misinterpreted as its success and painful in its failure. her own, I believe she will seek out xenophobic. Others will point to all these plants the way my mother the native species in the hills be- Oak acorns. Drawing sought out camellias, remembering yond the urban border and say, by C.Z. Taylor. the carefully tended plants from her “Enough!” They might suggest that father’s garden. we should be magnanimous and It is easy to imagine native land- welcome all plants and garden styles, scapes and philosophize about their letting the great global landscape use, but realistic, practical matters remain. The generic landscape is a 2Wallace Stegner’s Wolf Willow, a history, a story, and a memory of the last Plains frontier, was clear demonstration of the practi- published in 1967. I paraphrase Stegner’s memory of his childhood and his conviction that cal. Foliage color provides a suit- this period of his life and the Plains landscape colored the remainder of this life. Stegner was able example of an issue that results a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner, and directed the Stanford University writ- ing program for 25 years. He became a spokesman and defender of the American West. His from the use of natives. Olive, gray, Wilderness Letter of 1960 begins, “Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever silver, and gold are not traditional let the remaining wilderness be destroyed . . .” garden colors for most California

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 5 A commonly planted California endemic, Aesculus californica (California buckeye), shown here in its native habitat. Photograph by D. Fross. gardeners. “As moonlight unto sun- distinctive verdant green. In con- other California colors is under- light is the desert sage to other trast, the olive-blue hills at the ur- standable. In her professional life greens,” wrote Wallace Stegner. In ban fringe remain a refuge for na- she suddenly faced these colors this case he was referring to basin tive colors—colors muted and hard- daily; they became familiar and, I sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, but ened by drought, colors enduring would guess, settling, even endear- he might just as well have been and western. ing in their seasonal rhythms. But speaking of the greens of the Medi- In a recent essay Carol Bornstein what of others who arrive with a terranean and desert regions of Cali- remarked, “As a transplanted Michi- memory of green or who, like my- fornia. These colors remain foreign gander, it took a few years to de- self, were raised deep in the wa- to most California gardens; it is the velop an appreciation for gray- tered urban environment? How do rich, watered colors of lawn and leaved plants. Now I am a complete we bring our western-colored na- emerald of evergreen shrubs that convert, and am always looking for tives to the garden and reveal the permeate our communities. “It is a new silvery specimen for my own remarkable beauty of these colors strange how deeply colors seem to jam-packed garden.” As Director to those with such a long tradition penetrate one, like scent,” said of Horticulture at the Santa Bar- of green? And what of the colors of George Eliot, and the aroma of the bara Botanic Garden, her conver- dormancy: amber, buff, brown, and cultivated California landscape is a sion to these grays as well as to saffron? Many of our native plants

6 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 are summer dormant and demon- careful, informed plant selection. this drought tolerant preconception strate this cyclic wisdom just when Regrettably, our literature tends to is the common use of native plants we are most customarily in our gar- focus on the larger category of na- in the driest situations. They are dens. It is difficult to convince the tives while omitting some of the best repeatedly asked to shoulder the gardening public with little or no choices for smaller gardens, genera most difficult work in the garden, tradition with these plants that the such as Heuchera, Ribes, Eriogonum, while sites with more generous wa- silvered silhouette of California Dudleya, and Carex. ter budgets or better soils are re- buckeye, Aesculus californica, in their Historically, native plants in served for a wide expanse of turf or August garden has an evolved beauty California have been closely associ- another exotic mix of species. of its own; that from this dormancy ated with three issues that have, in Warnings about the special comes seasonal elegance unique to my opinion, harmed their perfor- needs of natives, whether a water our Mediterranean climate. mance in the landscape and con- issue or the necessity of well drained The cultural requirements of tinue to restrict their use. First, na- soils, can steer gardeners to other many native plants pose challenges tives are usually grouped as water plants. Caution in the extreme may and specific garden concerns. Some conserving, creating a preconcep- also convince gardeners to restrict genera, Arctostaphylos and Ceanothus, tion that can and many times does water to the degree that the aes- for example, come from well drained work against them. Clearly, a large thetic of the garden is compromised. upland habitats and are often planted share of the Mediterranean climatic We have sacrificed much at the al- in heavy, poorly drained valley soils, portion of our flora is drought tol- tar of water conservation. Many of thus predisposing the plants to prob- erant and that characteristic is car- our native plants are drought toler- lems. Many of our most reliable cul- ried into the garden from the wild. ant, but to prove their worth they tivars have been selected and tested Some species, Fremontodendron for need not be forced to endure con- for garden tolerance and disease re- example, will require a period of tinual stress. sistance in an effort to overcome summer drought for any chance of Maintenance, or the lack some of these contradictions. Some success in the garden. Most, how- thereof, is the second issue. Again, native plants are short-lived or fail ever, are much more flexible in the native plants have been grouped in in these situations. The chorus that garden, and some will grow in tra- a “low maintenance” or “no main- follows these failures is, “Natives ditionally watered gardens as if they tenance” category, and again a gen- are not dependable.” had evolved there. The result of eralization has harmed their respec- What do we say to the enthusi- astic gardener who bought a flan- Native shrubs in spring, many of which are common in California gardens. Photograph nel bush, Fremontodendron, only to by D. Fross. have it die a quick death in the heavy soil of his or her watered yard? We might suggest grasses, bulbs, selected wildflowers, or per- haps even a cottonwood or sy- camore if they have the room. Each of these alternatives offers a spe- cific garden challenge, as well as a departure from traditional garden- watering methods. Many of our most popular na- tive plants are simply too large for most gardens in urban and subur- ban landscapes. The Ceanothus thyr- siflorus ‘Snow Flurry’ in my garden was 18 feet tall and 35 feet wide after fifteen years. Genera such as Prunus, Fremontodendron, many Ceanothus, Rhus, and Sequoia will quickly dominate and overwhelm a small yard. Our flora is rich with species that will accommodate the smallest of gardens and requires only

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 7 many times the aesthetic of the plant is compromised by the site. There are native plants suitable for all gar- den styles and conditions and they can be utilized to serve most land- scape functions from the common ground cover and flowering shrub to formal hedges and turf. We need only re-examine our expectations and re-evaluate the generalizations to imagine a more generous role for our native flora in the cultivated landscape. It was over a hundred years ago that Theodore Payne began collect- ing wild species from the canyons and hillsides of Southern California with the idea of using these plants in California gardens. A long legacy of advocacy has followed his lead. Today there are hundreds of culti- vars and species being used in west- ern gardens and availability has be- come commonplace; many growers Plants of the coastal scrub, here from Pt. Arguello. Photograph by D. Fross. carry the better-known species and cultivars. Rare and unusual items tive performance in gardens. It is communities and a few have signs can be found at botanic garden sales difficult to generalize about main- that boldly proclaim that they are or the different native nurseries lo- tenance, since site, budget, plant native gardens. When they are cated up and down the state. Serv- palette, and personal taste will de- poorly maintained, or fail com- ing both aesthetic and functional termine the specific amount of pletely, they damage public accep- needs, natives offer a palette as di- maintenance required. My one-acre tance of native plants and can cre- verse as the people who have sought garden of mostly native plants re- ate a perception that is difficult to to make California home. quires about ten hours of mainte- counter. The success or failure of We have an opportunity with nance each week, and my garden natives in the garden is dependent our gardens to renew and rediscover taste falls on the wilder side of the on regular, informed maintenance. the native landscape. Consider it an issue. A twelve-acre development Pruning dead wood, monitoring act of regard. The principle require- in Santa Ynez designed with natives insect populations, replanting, dead ment is patience. It begins with the requires approximately eighty man- heading, cutting back grasses, weed- simple act of planting and need not hours of maintenance a week and is ing, shearing, and managing irriga- be grandiose: a Dudleya in a clay pot finished in a tidy style. Both gar- tion is as necessary with natives as it or a small drift of basket grass. With dens are far from being maintenance is with any other group of plants each gesture we open ourselves to a free. used in cultivation. richer meaning of community and Native gardens can be found The third issue is expectations: begin a long journey home. growing in many communities what can we and do we expect from across the state. Community groups, these plants? Traditionally, they [Editor’s note: This article first ap- institutions, and individuals plant have been selected for use in the peared as, “Finding Home, the Evolv- them with great enthusiasm, and most problematic situations. ing Native Garden,” in Rancho Santa recent renewed advocacy has pro- They are usually the first plants Ana Botanic Garden Occasional Pub- moted native gardens in public chosen for use on steep slopes with lications, No. 2, symposium proceed- schools. In my community a twelve- little soil remaining or are com- ings, Out of the Wild and Into the acre native garden has been created monly planted in the driest of gar- Garden, 1995.] using plants from a strict regional dens. They have served admirably palette. Some of these gardens are in these situations and have proven David Fross, 379 West El Campo Road, located in prominent places in our their tenacity and durability, but Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

8 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 Thoughts on gardening with native plants by Carol Bornstein

“If we continue to remove all trace of include Lester Rowntree, Theodore they believe that using natives would nativity in our communities, we will Payne, Carl Purdy, Kate Sessions, heighten awareness and apprecia- perpetuate a legacy of conquest and Howard McMinn, Louis Edmunds, tion for California’s increasingly oppression set in place by the first James Roof, Dara Emery, and Ralph threatened flora, thereby helping Europeans on this continent.” Cornell. I often wonder what it was to curb the seemingly relentless —David Fross about our native flora that inspired destruction? them. Was it the beauty of an indi- A plethora of gardening books or almost a century, the voices vidual species or the context of its and articles in shelter magazines Fof several passionate individu- natural habitat that made them ad- extol the virtues of gardening with als have spoken of the horticul- vocates for natives in the garden? native plants across America. Why tural merits of California’s native Were they intrigued by the chal- is this such a hot topic today? Per- flora. Some of these visionary hor- lenges of propagating and cultivat- haps a look at why we garden in the ticulturists and landscape designers ing these little-known plants? Did first place would be revealing. Our

Calamagrostis foliosa (leafy reed grass) in perennial border at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Photograph by C. Bornstein.

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 9 gardening was and is manipulative (indeed, the phrase “natural garden” is a bit of an oxymoron), an artistic and scientific attempt to control the environment, tame the wilderness, and beautify one’s surroundings. Once the sole domain of the privileged class, today anyone with modest resources can have a gar- den. A sign of our democratic culture, we garden for the same aforementioned reasons, but also for mental therapy and physical exercise. For some, there is the chal- lenge of successfully growing a fin- icky gem. For others, gardening provides an outlet for creative expression or garnering the admi- ration of our fellow gardeners. And for the native enthusiast, there is the personal reward that comes from enriching the natural world. The stakes are different now than in biblical times, however. Much of the world is a mess, envi- ronmentally speaking. Ecosystems are threatened everywhere and biodiversity continues to decline at an alarming rate. And there is no question that our gardening prac- tices contribute to the problem. Pesticides poison intended targets, but may also harm beneficial or- ganisms and us. Fertilizers—often produced by questionable meth- ods—promote exuberant growth that winds up in landfills instead of being returned to the soil as valu- able compost. Quarrying of stone or decomposed granite for patios and paths, harvesting peat moss to amend soils, and downing trees to build fences and decks, all deplete and scar the natural landscape some- where, invariably out of site of con- sumers. All these activities strongly suggest the need to live more lightly Arctostaphylos insularis (island manzanita) in grove of Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. on the land, to garden more re- aspleniifolius (fern-leaved Catalina ironwood) on Santa Cruz Island. Photograph by C. sponsibly. Bornstein. What can we as gardeners do? By creating ecological gardens— gardening heritage is thousands of in Persia, where the garden became replicas of natural plant communi- years old, beginning with the culti- a place to seek shelter from the ele- ties in our front and back yards— vation of food crops. Later, the con- ments and indulge one’s senses, as we can provide habitat for plants cept of the pleasure garden evolved well as to grow food. The very act of and animals that used to thrive in

10 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 our areas, thus restoring a bit of For example, a coast redwood [see O’Brien article, p. 16], wherein the natural environment. This is is certainly not drought-tolerant natives might be more inappropri- surely a compelling reason to land- when planted in hot interior val- ate to plant than weedy exotics. Plant scape with natives. It is, however, a leys, nor is a manzanita adaptable natives, but only certain kinds, and major departure from the tradi- to poorly drained soils. One must not over there! This mixed message tional approach to gardening, consider the natural range of a spe- demands clarity from the experts. where plants are selected primarily cies instead of ascribing these quali- Occasionally, a student suggests based upon their ornamental quali- ties to all California natives. Such that using native plants is a way to ties, without regard to their ori- sweeping generalizations cause celebrate the surrounding natural gins. It is also new territory for confusion and misconceptions landscape: “We live in California, garden makers, and benefits from about their care, not to mention not the tropics, not England, but an understanding of some complex fostering their reputation for be- here in this Mediterranean climate.” biological processes, as well as ac- ing temperamental garden plants Ahh. Another voice extolling sense quiring a different aesthetic. (albeit justified for some species). of place instead of the homogeniza- For those who find the natural- Another misconception is that na- tion of our landscapes. istic garden style too wild and radi- tives need not be pruned. Any Rarely, however, is versatility or cal, where do native plants fit in ecologist can rattle off the natural beauty mentioned, and I am dis- their gardens? When we can grow forces “pruning” away in the wild: mayed by this. I like to think that so many exotic species, why choose animal browse, wind damage, fires, there are native plants suitable for a native one? As an instructor, I etc. Why can’t we follow suit? So any garden style or cultural situa- pose these questions to my students many natives would become more tion. We are only limited by our whenever I teach a course on land- acceptable as garden subjects if lack of imagination! (Of course, scaping with California natives. The tended in more traditional ways. availability is an ongoing frustra- answers are fairly commonplace in Gardeners simply need better ex- tion.) As for aesthetic value, who some circles: natives are touted for amples and information to assist would dispute the sculptural beauty the low-maintenance, drought- them in this task, whether pruning of a manzanita, the majesty and tolerant garden and for their adapt- for cosmetic or rejuvenation pur- quiet strength of a venerable oak, ability, wildlife value, and low poses. Why withhold the care that the incredible blues of Ceanothus, fertility requirements. All good rea- would make them thrive, even if the intricate yet delicate branching sons, to be sure, although each they can tolerate neglect? patterns of buckwheats, the sweet attribute is dependent upon which Complicating the matter further perfume of hummingbird sage or natives are chosen for a garden. is the issue of genetic contamination yerba buena? At some point, I hope the ques- Ceanothus hearstiorum (Hearst’s ceanothus) and Dudleya brittonii (a Baja California tion “Why use natives?” becomes live-forever) with citrus tree in private garden. Photograph by C. Bornstein. obsolete, that gardeners will no longer think they must choose between having an “environmentally correct” garden and a beautiful one. Instead, they will opt for both, and at the same time concentrate on im- proving their horticultural practices, double their efforts to preserve what remains of the natural landscape, and embrace the artistry and restorative aspects of gardening in harmony with nature. Let the skeptics be won over to natives by their beauty, a concept we can all relate to, despite our personal biases. For isn’t beauty one of the fundamental reasons we garden, after all?

Carol Bornstein, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93105

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 11 CONNECTIONS— SCHOOL GARDENS AND NATIVE PLANTS by Carol J. Baird

he combination of kids with ten through college level, recog- •■ Providing an introduction school gardens used to be nize the value of immediate and to living things. T ■ almost a cliché, but now is total involvement of kids in gar- • Understanding nutrition. more of an oxymoron. In fact, for dening programs. Even the State •■ Meeting specific science more and more urban, suburban, Superintendent of Education, curriculum requirements. and rural Californians under the Delaine Eastin, has become an en- •■ Creating a sense of place. age of 20, the touch and feel of thusiastic advocate of school gar- •■ Recreating natural habitat. Mother Earth is an alien phenom- dening programs. For one thing, enon! (Try the quiz on page 14 on gardens are a great hook for science The type of garden that educa- your child and on yourself and see and social studies curricula. For an- tors envision is of course limited if you agree!) As alarming as this other, long-term experience with somewhat by the physical con- state of affairs may be to horticul- gardening can quite naturally ex- straints of the schoolyard. But it is turists and plant enthusiasts, it is of pose students to other disciplines also limited by the goals and objec- tives set by the educator. If all that a teacher wants to provide for her students is experience with plants or an understanding of where their food comes from, a small vegetable garden might suffice. But gardens can offer students more in-depth learning if they include native plants. Here is where CNPS can play a vital role, both by providing guid- ance to educators, and by providing resources for obtaining appropriate California native plants.

Why Use Natives?

Without question, working with native plants will help to develop young people’s understanding of Proud students posing in their Engelman oak grove in El Cajon. Photograph by D. native wildlife habitat. Clearly, how- Hohimer. ever, it offers additional benefits: gaining a sense of place, becoming even greater concern to educators, such as mathematics, fine arts, and conscious of natural cycles, learn- who must deal with the disconnect language arts. School gardens fit ing about the inter-relatedness of between the natural world and their well with The California Native all living things, and of course, students on a daily basis. Plant Society’s (CNPS) mission of becoming aware of California’s first attracting educators to the plant remarkable diversity! world, and then to the world of The temptation for teachers The School native plants. Gardens Remedy What do educators hope to School garden with Encelia californica in achieve as they commit time, en- the foreground in El Cajon (opposite, One response for school per- ergy, and funding to gardens at their top). Fujidama shade structure and birdbath at Cajon Valley Middle School sonnel is to develop school gardens. schools? Among the various goals (opposite, bottom). Photographs by D. Many educators, from kindergar- articulated by educators are: Hohimer.

12 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 13 to provide CNPS chapter volun- teers and teachers with information about establishing successful school garden projects, especially those that use California natives. To that end, we have sponsored two weekend workshops, one in the Bay Area, the other in Southern California. We were delighted that 45 of you showed up at the Bay Area work- shop, and another 25 at the South- ern California weekend! We worked with the staff of the Aquatic Outreach Institute (AOI), a local nonprofit that spe- cializes in teacher workshops, to Mural in school garden with Encelia, Ceanothus, and Baccharis at Cajon Valley Middle develop the Bay Area workshop. School, El Cajon. Photograph by D. Hohimer. AOI originally had focused on workshops about riparian systems, may be to rely on common garden- The CNPS School but not long ago expanded its ing practices that, in the long run, Garden Program offerings to include school gardens. are actually harmful to the environ- The jointly sponsored Kids in ment: using plants inappropriate to One of the much-heralded pro- Gardens Workshop provided an the landscape, excessive fertilization, grams of the new Statewide Educa- opportunity for CNPS educators heavy year-round irrigation, and tion/Outreach Committee has been to learn how to integrate their indiscriminate use of toxic chemi- its on-going School Garden Pro- knowledge of native plants and gar- cals. Doing so creates an unhealthy, gram. What we hoped this program dening into the school curricula. artificial environment that requires would accomplish was to help constant maintenance in order to CNPS members and others inspire thrive. Even more serious is the educators and students to develop A Glimpse of a negative impact of such gardening an awareness, understanding, and Workshop practices on the environment as gar- love of California’s native plants and den chemicals seep into the ground- natural habitats within a school gar- Teachers and gardeners are emi- water, harming native flora, fish, den setting. The Committee wanted nently practical. At the CNPS Kids and other wildlife, and polluting waterways. In contrast, when the curricu- Quiz: lum involves the use of native plants appropriate to the landscape, com- 1. Where does your tap water come from? bined with healthy soil creation, 2. Where does your garbage go? drought-appropriate planting tech- niques, and natural control of pests, 3. How many days until the moon is full? students are afforded countless op- 4. When was the last time a fire burned your area? portunities to observe locally evolved 5. Name five edible plants that used to be found in your region. ecological processes in action, to study interactions, and to partici- 6. Name five resident and five migratory birds in your area. pate in conservation activity through 7. From where you are right now, point north. gardening. With its emphasis on 8. What river basin (watershed) do you live in? natural habitats, students also are able to learn more about how native 9. What kind of soil are you standing on? birds, insects, and other wildlife have 10. What creek runs closest to your school? evolved with these native plant spe- cies, making it possible for them to [Reprinted with permission from Co-Evolution Quarterly (now Whole use the fruits, nectar, pollen, and Earth); L. Charles, J. Dodge, P. Michael, L. Millman, & V. Stockley.] microhabitat these plants provide.

14 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 Ponds with circulating stream and bridge at Cajon Valley Middle School. Photograph by D. Hohimer. in Gardens Workshop, we learned A group of hands-on activities Betsey Landis’s Southern California that being able to demonstrate con- demonstrating propagation tech- Native Plants for School Gardens. cepts to kids counts a lot more than niques, aptly named “Plant Parent- simply saying things. The workshop hood,” was perhaps the most popu- was organized in a manner that clev- lar part of the two-day workshop. Future Plans erly interspersed concepts with We fashioned origami-pots for hands-on exercises. For instance, planting California poppy seeds. We From discussions with CNPS following a presentation on soils, learned how to do divisions of yar- members around the state, we have participants conducted experiments row and cuttings of Salvia clevelandii. learned that there is a need for more on porosity and water retention us- And we learned that some natives of these workshops, so the Educa- ing an array of different soil ingre- are more durable (i.e., kid-proof) tion/Outreach Committee is plan- dients. Later that same day, we dis- than others. ning to offer at least two each year, cussed mineral content and soil On the second day, we explored in the northern and southern re- amendments and then went out- the science of composting, and then gions of the state. In our letter to doors to conduct chemical tests of created composting bins that use red the general membership, we share various soils. worms to turn kitchen waste into the CNPS vision of a future in which Three teachers from local rich soil. We were also treated to a native plants and habitats are widely schools offered presentations about very practical introduction to but- appreciated as essential for human their own school gardens. They cov- terfly gardening, given by a local well-being. To realize this vision, ered how the programs got started, expert. We were able to provide par- we must plant and nurture in young problems in planning and organi- ticipants with two binders: the Teach- people the seeds of an enduring zation, finding people to help con- ers Resource Kids in Gardens binder relationship with the natural world. struct the planting beds, the stu- containing 450 pages of resources, dents’ response to the program, and activities, ideas, and management Carol J. Baird, California Institute for creative ways of integrating school suggestions for integrating school Biodiversity, 47 Quail Court, #111, curricula with school gardens. gardens into the curriculum, and Walnut Creek, CA 94596

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 15 A native sedge (Carex subfusca) used in a California garden. Photograph by D. Hohimer. The Intersection of Conservation and Gardening: An Overview of the Consequences of Growing California Native Plants by Bart C. O’Brien

[Editor’s note: Common names have at a time when our native flora is about our horticultural activities and been included more sparingly than typi- under such aggressive assault from choices. cal in this article because so many plants the consequences of our ever- Each population of native plants are mentioned.] expanding population. In our col- in California is the result of com- lective desire to do the right thing, plex interactions between that however, we must also be aware of population’s genetic heritage (as ex- Introduction the possible negative consequences pressed in the individual plants) and of growing California native plants the environment. Environmental in- n recent years public awareness in gardens and landscapes through- fluences include the biota that share Ihas been growing regarding the out our state. The purpose of this the population’s environment, and positive attributes of native plant article is to provide an overview of the physical aspects and biological horticulture. We are indeed fortu- these issues so that we, as individu- processes of their native locality [e.g., nate to be experiencing this trend als, may make informed decisions geology, erosion, fire, floods, land

16 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 subsidence, mountain building, From a strict conservation per- are collected. Usually the others are growth, death, soils, fertility, aspect, spective, the paragon of responsible not, and these include the seeds that slope, climate, etc.). Human activi- horticultural use of California na- were first to ripen and drop out of ties also impact these populations, tive plants lies in the creation of the seed capsule and those from the but in ways that often are not in gardens and landscapes using only highest or lowest parts of the plant. harmony with ongoing natural pro- site specific plants. But the ques- cesses. Taken as a whole, however, tion remains: how do our other it is a dynamic system that is readily native plant horticultural activities influenced, but is difficult, if not affect the greater landscape of impossible, to thoroughly manage California? in an appropriate manner. In my opinion, all land in California is “managed land” as it is under both HORTICULTURAL the direct and indirect influence of PRACTICES human activities, and thus self- sustaining landscapes or unchang- The act of propagating and ing environments do not exist. growing plants for use in gardens, Each individual garden, regard- landscapes, restoration projects, and less of its size or content, is a other purposes can also have un- microcosm of these interactions and foreseen consequences. The propa- processes. Planting, weeding, wa- gules (cuttings, seeds, divisions, etc.) tering, mulching, feeding, fencing themselves may carry one or more Silk tassle bush (Garrya eliptica). Photo- or caging, pest and disease control, viruses, fungal pathogens, or other graph by D. Fross. pruning, and other horticultural diseases that may infect their wild activities have their parallels in the relatives. Similarly, the soil mix in The selection process is further in- care and maintenance of native eco- the container that the plant is grow- fluenced by growing the seeds un- systems. Stop weeding and the ing in may harbor any number of der nursery conditions, which favor average garden will soon be filled pathogens that may affect other those that germinate quickly and with weeds. Stop watering and the plants. respond best to conditions in your average garden will soon be com- A number of our native geo- nursery (watering regime, soil mix, posed primarily of dead plants. Put phytes (“ground lovers” such as fertilizing regime, pest control in the wrong plant for a particular plants with bulbs) are particularly methods, chemical use, growing in spot or plant it at the wrong time of sensitive to viral infection. The nursery containers, etc.). The end year and it probably won’t survive. genus Lilium is particularly suscep- result is a group of plants that has Spray the garden too often with tible to tobacco mosaic virus. Vig- been selected to grow under that pesticides and you may end up elimi- orously growing plants frequently particular set of conditions. These nating the beneficial insects that do not show symptoms of the virus, plants are not necessarily the best or could have kept the undesirable ones but stressed plants will show the most representative plants to use in in check. characteristic splotchy pattern in restoration, habitat creation, or Clearly the best option for the their foliage. Phytophthora and other other conservation projects. They continuation of California’s diverse root rot fungi are easily spread by are, however, likely to be good gar- flora is to ensure that the natural contaminated soils in nursery con- den subjects. processes that have produced our tainers. The fungal pathogen, flora—including fires, floods, and Botryosphaeria ribes, can be readily activities of microbiotic and macro- transported in the live tissue of con- GENETICS: SOME biotic flora and fauna—continue tainer grown plants, and is respon- EXAMPLES unimpeded. At the same time, we sible for branch dieback in manza- will need to be more diligent in man- nitas (Arctostaphylos spp.), Sierran A Theoretical Example: aging threats to the biologic integ- redwoods (Sequoiadendron), silk tas- California Poppy rity of our ecosystems, such sels (Garrya spp.), and many other (Eschscholzia californica) as the control or elimination of native plants. A simple way to think about aggressive exotic species, potential Collecting seed or other propa- the genetic consequences (genetic control of aggressive native plants, gules is part of an active selection swamping and contamination) is and control of herbivore populations process. The seeds that are easiest to consider the following theoreti- in the absence of predator species. to reach are usually the ones that cal scenario. In the vast fields of

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 17 California poppy at Antelope Val- detriment of the population as a five populations are quite distinct ley there are nearly always a few whole, influencing it in a negative from one another. plants with white- or cream- way (genetic contamination). At this Due to its fast growth rate, the colored flowers. If seeds from these point in time, there is no way of Monterey pine has become a very flowers were collected and grown knowing what the long-term result important source of wood and wood in Monterey in vast quantities and of the interaction of the two forms by-products in the southern hemi- all the orange-colored flower forms would be, because there are too sphere. Forestry officials in New were removed, the result would many variables. Zealand obtained seeds from all five be a huge seed crop of white- or wild populations and have used cream-colored California poppies. them in their efforts to produce the A Case History: Monterey Pine If this huge seed crop was then best trees for plantation forestry (Pinus radiata) added back to the original popula- purposes. To achieve these ends, tion of orange-flowered plants in Rare and endangered species the genetic material from the five Antelope Valley, there would be an that occur in several discrete popu- wild populations was mixed. The immediate effect—a disproportion- lations that have known genetic vari- resulting seed crops were then used ate number of plants with white- ability, or that have not yet been to generate the large scale forestry and cream-colored flowers. If the surveyed genetically, make up the plantations that are seen through- white- and cream-flowering plants bulk of the plants in the CNPS out the southern hemisphere today were present in large enough num- Inventory. Pinus radiata has a long in New Zealand, Australia, South bers, and were vigorous well- history of commercial and horti- Africa, and Chile. Up to this point adapted plants, the long-term cultural use both in California and everything is fine—the genetically result could be that there would be abroad. The Monterey pine is re- mixed plants are in the southern more and more vigorous well- stricted to five localities worldwide. hemisphere and the five wild popu- adapted plants with white- and The three Californian native popu- lations have not been affected— cream-colored flowers (genetic lations are found at Año Nuevo in but there is more to this story. The swamping). San Mateo County, the Monterey seeds from the mixed New Zealand But what if the plants with peninsula in Monterey County, and plantations continued to be har- white- and cream-colored flowers the Cambria area in San Luis vested and sold, and since they were were not as vigorous or were poorly Obispo County. The two Mexican cheaper and more readily available adapted to the conditions in Ante- localities are located at the north- than seed from any of the five wild lope Valley? Their genetic heritage ern end of Cedros Island and at the populations, they were purchased would still mix with the orange- higher elevations of Guadalupe and grown commercially in Cali- colored flower form, possibly to the Island in Mexico. Genetically, the fornia. The resulting trees have been planted throughout coastal California. There are a number of compelling reasons why this activ- ity is ill-advised. Physically connecting discrete populations of rare plants can have dire consequences. The planting of large numbers of Monterey pine trees that essentially bridged the existing geographic gap between the Monterey peninsula and Año Nuevo populations has clearly had unex- pected consequences as the arrival of the pine pitch canker (Fusarium subglutinans) has so aptly illustrated. This lethal non-native fungal patho- gen was able to quickly spread throughout the Monterey penin- sula and Año Nuevo populations due to the extensive presence of planted pines (Monterey pines and California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) at Antelope Valley. Photograph by L. Vorobik. other susceptible pine species) in

18 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 the intervening area where there be a high conservation priority. Sec- age up to three miles, therefore, had been no native pines. ondly, the source of material of this ideally there should be no other The planting of large numbers shrub for landscape and garden pur- Arctostaphylos species or hybrids of new trees of unknown origin poses is not of particular concern. planted within the “bee-forage” within or adjacent to a native wild The only exception would be that buffer zone from the Vine Hill population can adversely affect the all plantings in the vicinity of the Preserve. native population. Planting large one genetically diverse population Plantings of non-clonal Arcto- numbers of Monterey pines should be grown from seed col- staphylos densiflora, grown from seed throughout the Monterey penin- lected from throughout that popu- collected from the preserve should sula has led to a mixing of geno- lation. This particular species may be particularly encouraged in gar- types that may overwhelm the rarer be vulnerable to genetic swamping dens and landscapes on the acidic elements of the population and may from other Berberis (Mahonia) spe- sand deposit where it originally lead to the elimination of these un- cies that could hybridize with it— occurred, and within the afore- usual attributes. particularly from B. (M.) fremontii, mentioned buffer zone. Plantings B. (M.) haematocarpa, and B. (M.) of named cultivars (even those at- higginsae. tributed to this species) should be Genetically Depauperate discouraged because the few sur- Taxa: Nevin’s Barberry viving individuals of Arctostaphylos (Berberis nevinii) densiflora at the Vine Hill Preserve Few of our native plants have could be genetically swamped by thus far been shown to have re- planted cultivars in the buffer. markably low genetic variability. Solely from the perspective of pre- These plants are relatively immune venting genetic contamination, it to genetic swamping from mixing Vine Hill manzanita (Arctostaphylos would likely be in the best interests densiflora) drawn by Emily Reid for The individuals among the populations. Jepson Manual, reprinted with permission of the rare species that closely re- Berberis (Mahonia) nevinii has been of UC Regents. lated common species of the same in cultivation for decades through- genus be actively eliminated from out California, and it is the most the buffer zone. It is interesting Rare Taxa Known from a commonly grown rare plant of the (and disquieting) to note that an- Single Locality state. It has, almost without excep- other rare manzanita (Arctostaphy- tion, been grown from seed. People A number of horticulturally de- los bakeri) also occurs naturally at in the nursery industry have long sirable native plants are currently the Vine Hill Preserve. been aware that all the plants of this known from only one locality and species look alike—even as young are members of genera that are Monospecific Taxa with seedlings there is no apparent dif- known to hybridize. These plants One Extended Population: ference among the plants. Berberis may be especially sensitive to ge- Bush Anemone (Mahonia) nevinii is the best known netic swamping and contamination. (Carpenteria californica) case of a Californian rare and en- Examples include: Arctostaphylos dangered species that is relatively imbricata, Brodiaea pallida, Calo- A few of our native plants are widespread geographically (it is chortus tiburonensis, Cercocarpus monospecific genera (one species known from Los Angeles, San Ber- traskiae, Clarkia imbricata, and in the genus) that are found in one nardino, Riverside, and San Diego Heuchera abramsii. If any wild popu- local or extended population. The counties). All but one of these natu- lation of these plants are known to use of these plants in gardens and ral occurrences is composed of one be in the vicinity, no other plant of landscapes is not of particular con- to a few individuals. Unpublished that genus should be planted. A cern, especially when the plants are molecular studies from the early good example of this condition is grown from seed collected with ap- 1990s concluded that there is al- Arctostaphylos densiflora, known only propriate permits. The only excep- most no inherent genetic variabil- from the CNPS-owned Vine Hill tion to this would be if the plants ity in this species. In fact, only one Preserve in Sonoma County. Arcto- were to be planted out in large quan- population, at Vail Lake in River- staphylos densiflora was most likely tities in or near the immediate vi- side County, contained demon- always restricted to an unusual soil cinity of the wild population or if a strable genetic diversity. type: a deposit of acidic upper clonal selection was to be planted The implications of this study Pliocene marine sands. Arctostaphy- out in quantity in or near the im- are twofold. The one population los are generally bee-pollinated mediate vicinity of the wild popula- that contains genetic diversity must plants, and bees are known to for- tion. The best example of this con-

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 19 dition in California is Carpenteria widely disjunct populations, or oth- tion the generic circumscription of californica, the bush anemone, from erwise separate subpopulations of these plants. one nearly continuous population these common plants, it is recom- Similar to the situation with in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mended that site specific or near monospecific taxa is the case of in Fresno County. Typically site specific material be used in gar- plants that are the only native rep- Carpenteria is grown from seed, and dens and landscapes. For most resentative of a particular genus in the number of plants that could be other garden and landscape our native flora. There is, however, planted in or adjacent to the wild projects, the use of plants of un- an additional caveat, as these plants plants is not considered to be sig- known provenance would likely not may hybridize with their non- nificant. However, there are several be of critical conservation concern. native congeners. California native There are exceptional cases where plants in this category include: intergeneric hybridization involv- Amsonia tomentosa, Aralia californica, ing some of these monospecific Aristolochia californica, Calocedrus plants are known to occur in the decurrens, Calycanthus occidentalis, wild (see below). The fact that these Cephalanthus occidentalis var. hybrids are known to exist does californicus, Corylus cornuta var. lead one to speculate on the possi- californica, Heracleum lanatum, bility of introgression (hybridiza- Justicia californica, Ptelea crenulata, tion followed by backcrossing to Pycnanthemum californicum, Staphylea one of the parent species) between bolanderi, and Torreya californica. closely related genera, or to ques- Some of our rare native plants

Some widespread, monospecific taxa of California

Scientific name Common name

Achyrachaena mollis Blow wives Bush anemone (Carpenteria californica). Anisocoma acaulis Anisocoma Photo credit unknown; its use courtesy Anemopsis californica Lizard tail of the Jepson Herbarium, UC. Bergerocactus emoryi Golden cereus Chamaebatiaria millefolium Fern bush clonal selections (cultivars) of this Chilopsis linearis Desert willow plant that are produced in large Cneoridium dumosum Bushrue quantities. The most common cul- Coleogyne ramosissima Black brush tivar is ‘Elizabeth’ and it has been Darmera peltata Indian rhubarb propagated at a rate of between Fallugia paradoxa Apache plume 1,000 and 5,000 plants per year. If Hesperocallis undulata Desert lily all of these were planted in or near Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon the wild population, they would Leucocrinum montanum Sand lily definitely impact the population Malosma laurina Laurel sumac genetics and dynamics of this na- Oemleria cerasiformis Indian plum tive population. Olneya tesota Ironwood Pickeringia montana Chaparral pea Other Genera with One Native Salazaria mexicana Paper-bag bush, bladder sage Species and Monospecific Taxa Sequoia sempervirens Coast redwood Common monospecific plants Sequoiadendron giganteum Giant sequoia in our native flora present an inter- Sphenosciadium capitellatum Ranger’s buttons esting challenge to the conserva- Tellima grandiflora Fringe cups tion-minded gardener. Most of Tolmiea menziesii Pig-a-back plant California’s plants have not had Umbellularia californica California laurel their genetic diversity thoroughly Venegasia carpesioides Canyon sunflower assayed. In the case of narrowly or

20 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 velutinus var. hookeri), Penstemon parishii (P. centranthifolius×P. spec- tabilis), ×Pachgerocereus orcuttii (Bergerocactus emoryi×Pachycereus pringlei), Elymus multisetus ×Pseudo- roegneria spicata, and Tellima grandi- flora×Tolmiea menziesii. Several cul- tivars of our native flora are hybrids of wild origin: Arctostaphylos ‘Sun- set’, Ceanothus ‘Coronado’, Encelia ‘Cadiz Reveille’, Erigeron ‘W. R.’, Iris ‘Valley Banner’, Lewisia ‘Mar- Chaparral pea (Pickeringia montana), a garet Williams’, Rhododendron ‘Or- monospecific taxon in California. Drawing by L. Vorobik from A Flora of egon Queen’, Ribes ‘Pseudo- Santa Cruz Island (Junak et al), with sanguineum’, and Sedum ‘Silver permission from L. Vorobik. Moon’. Examples of spontaneous hybrids Many of our common native that have occurred in gardens in- plants show a wide degree of vari- clude: Eriogonum blissianum (E. Blow-wives (Achyrachaena mollis), a ability through a portion of their arborescens×E. giganteum), Garrya monotypic genus in California. Drawing × by L. Vorobik from A Flora of Santa Cruz natural distribution or throughout issaquahensis (G. elliptica G. fre- Island (Junak et al), with permission from their native range. Plants that would montii), Penstemon bryantae (P. L. Vorobik. fall into this category include palmeri×P. spectabilis), and ×Cupresso- Heteromeles arbutifolia, Rhamnus cyparis leylandii (Cupressus macrocarpa are not closely related to any other californica, Eriogonum umbellatum, ×Chamaecyparis nootkatensis). Many native plants and are found in spe- and Pinus sabiniana. In these situa- of the cultivars of California native cific geographic areas of the state. tions, the best alternative is to use plants are also chance hybrids of gar- The use of these natives is not a plants of local origin. den origin: Arctostaphylos ‘Canyon genetics concern unless they are Blush’, Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’, planted in or near their wild popu- Heuchera ‘Lillian’s Pink’, Romneya lations. In all cases, the garden or HYBRIDIZATION ‘White Cloud’, and Salvia ‘Allen landscape use of these plants near Chickering’. or adjacent to wild populations Hybrid plants are created by the should be restricted to plants de- sexual or genetically engineered rived from local origin. There are interaction of two different plant many examples of this condition in genera, species, subspecies, or our flora. Lyonothamnus floribundus varieties. The number of hybrids ssp. floribundus, Lyonothamnus that are produced in a given area is floribundus ssp. asplenifolius, and dependent upon a number of vari- Galvezia speciosa are native to the ables. Chief among these variables California Channel Islands and can are the following: 1) the more closely be used anywhere on the California related that the two plants are, the mainland without fear that they will more likely they are to produce hy- genetically interact with any other brids; and 2) fertile pollen must native plant or with the wild popu- reach a receptive stigma, therefore lations. Similarly, the use of Dirca periods of flowering must overlap occidentalis would not present a ge- and an appropriate vehicle for move- netics problem if it were planted ment of pollen to stigma must exist. outside of the San Francisco Bay Hybrids are frequently produced Area counties where it naturally oc- both in the wild and in the garden. curs. Neviusia cliftonii is only known Examples of spontaneous hy- from Shasta County, though it may brids found in the wild include the Fringe-cups (Tellima grandiflora) and be grown without the possibility of following: Arctostaphylos media (A. × pig-a-back plant (Tolmiea menziesii) will adverse genetic consequences columbiana A. uva-ursi), Ceanothus spontaneously hybridize to this interme- throughout the rest of the state. mendocinensis (C. thyrsiflorus×C. diate form. Drawing by L. Vorobik.

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 21 Quercus, Rhododendron, Rhus, Rosa, gene flow. The amount of this Rubus, Salix, Sidalcea, Silene, Spi- interaction varied with distance, but raea, Symphoricarpos, Triteleia, Vitis, even those plants at the furthest and Zauschneria (Epilobium). distance showed a rate of up to 2% hybrid origin. The highest rate of hybridization recorded in this study Hybridization between Natives was 27%, and the overall average and Exotics was 10%. Other examples of crop Native plants will frequently plants hybridizing with their wild produce hybrids with closely related cousins that are cited by Dr. Arias exotic plants. Quite a number of include Cucurbita, Raphanus, and such cases are well documented. Oryza. In a 1994 conversation, Dr. Heuchera sanguinea (from Arizona) Arias stated that there would be has hybridized with the following ample opportunity for gene flow Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus flori- natives: H. elegans, H. hirsutissima, between the shrubby Mimulus bundus ssp. asplenifolius) leaf. This H. maxima, H. pilosissima, and H. (Diplacus) growing at Rancho Santa species is native only to the California merriamii (pringlei). Two exotics, Ana Botanic Garden and those Channel Islands, but is photographed here from the Rancho Santa Ana Ceanothus americanus and C. ovatus, growing in the nearby foothills of Botanic Garden, Claremont. Photo- have been hybridized with Califor- the San Gabriel Mountains (a dis- graph by L. Vorobik. nian Ceanothus. tance of four miles). Recent studies (by Arias, 1994) A number of other economi- Certain genera appear to be have shown that cultivated plants cally significant exotic plants have more prone to producing hybrids. genetically interact with their wild also been shown to hybridize with In addition to those genera listed counterparts. Dr. Arias set up rep- their Californian counterparts. The above, the following have been licates of an ingenious experiment Persian or English walnut (Juglans known to produce hybrids: Aquile- where wild types of sunflowers regia) will cross with both Califor- gia, Aster, Baccharis, Cercidium, (Helianthus annuus) were planted at nia native walnuts Juglans californica Cercocarpus, Cornus, Delphinium, intervals ranging from 3 meters to var. hindsii and Juglans californica Dicentra, Dichelostemma, Fragaria, 1,000 meters from an agricultural var. californica. One of the resulting Fremontodendron, Fritillaria, planting of a cultivar of Helianthus plants, Juglans ‘Paradox’ is now one Helianthus, Juglans, Keckiella, Lilium, annuus. Subsequent laboratory of the principal rootstocks for the Lupinus, Berberis (Mahonia), analysis of harvested seedheads con- walnut industry in California. Mimulus, Opuntia, Philadelphus, clusively demonstrated that nearly Other known cases of hybrid- Pinus, Platanus, Populus, Prunus, all of the plants showed evidence of ization between native and exotic species of the same genus include the following: Agave, Alnus, Aquile- gia, Aster, Calliandra, Cassiope, Ceanothus, Cornus, Dicentra, Erigeron, Fragaria, Fraxinus, Gaultheria, Iris, Philadelphus, Platanus, Populus, Rhododendron, Ribes, Rosa, Rubus, Sidalcea, Spiraea, Symphoricarpos, and Vitis.

NATIVE WEEDS

When one thinks of the weed flora of California, few consider that some of our native plants do fall into the weed category. A few of our best native plant horticultural subjects, particularly when grown Columbine hybrid between Aquilegia formosa and A. pubescens from Little Lakes Valley. beyond their native range, can be- Shows form of A. pubescens but color of A. formosa. Photograph by L. Vorobik. come serious weeds. The best

22 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 known of these is Lupinus arboreus swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor) decreased and began to investigate along the north coast in Mendocino is restricted in California by the the causes for the decline. Their and Humboldt counties where it distribution of Aristolochia californica, findings were quite startling—they has escaped and is outcompeting its larval food plant. By planting found that the inflorescences of the native coastal plants. Two of this Aristolochia in other areas where Eriogonum fasciculatum and those our native irises, Iris douglasiana and it is not currently found, will this of E. cinereum were poisonous to Iris missouriensis, have been catego- have an impact on the distribution the larvae of the El Segundo blue rized as noxious weeds in pasture- of the butterfly? butterfly. land. Due to their bitter-tasting fo- Some of our native butterflies They also found that the pres- liage, they are able to thrive and are equally adept at using exotic ence of Eriogonum fasciculatum was prosper in heavily grazed habitats. plants in the same plant family as favoring two native moths (Lorita The now ubiquitous pop weed their larval food plant. The anise scarifica and Aroga sp.) at the ex- (Cardamine oligosperma) is a rela- swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon) uses pense of the butterfly. These two tively recent native addition to the exotic host plants Foeniculum vulgare moth species are capable of pro- weed flora of gardens throughout (Fennel) and Citrus spp. apparently ducing more than one generation the California floristic province. as successfully as its native larval each year, but the El Segundo blue And, lest we forget, some of our hosts, Tauschia arguta, Lomatium butterfly is limited to a single gen- native plants have become unwel- dasycarpum, Lomatium utriculatum, eration per year. The moths uti- come pests in other Mediterranean and Oenanthe sarmentosa. lized the inflorescences of both climates of the world. Even our species of buckwheats as larval beautiful state flower, the Califor- food plants, and since Eriogonum The El Segundo Blue nia poppy (Eschscholzia californica), fasciculatum came into bloom about Butterfly and Problems with is a pest in Spain, Portugal, Italy, a month before E. parvifolium at “Native” Buckwheats and Australia. this site, the moths gained a com- The El Segundo blue butterfly petitive advantage over the butter- (Euphilotes bernardino ssp. allyni) is fly. The increased population of WILDLIFE a federally listed endangered spe- moths also raised the populations cies inhabiting the coastal dune of parasitoides in the area that did Some plants have well docu- habitats of Los Angeles County not significantly differentiate be- mented species specific associations. between the Los Angeles Interna- tween the larvae of the moths and The distribution of the pipevine tional Airport and the Palos Verdes the butterfly. Fortunately, the Los peninsula. The survival of this but- Angeles International Airport Com- terfly is entirely dependent upon mission provided emergency funds the inflorescences of the coast buck- to eliminate Eriogonum fasciculatum wheat (Eriogonum parvifolium). The from the area. flowerheads are the butterfly’s site for everything from egg laying to mating. The only part of the CONCLUSION butterfly’s life cycle that is not spent in or on the inflorescence is the Plants are notoriously difficult time it spends as a pupae buried in subjects to generalize about. Even the soil beneath the Eriogonum most of the case studies sited in this parvifolium plant. article are still in need of further Very little habitat remains for investigation and study. The Cali- this butterfly. In the mid 1970s, a fornia flora will survive. The ques- portion of this vital habitat was tion is, what will the flora look like graded and hydroseeded with a mix 10,000 years from now, and how of what were thought to be appro- will our horticultural and conserva- priate California native plant spe- tion activities affect the future of cies. This seed mix included the the diversity of California’s native California buckwheat (Eriogonum flora? fasciculatum), and it quickly estab- Flower of California pipevine (Aristolochia lished itself at the site. Researchers Bart C. O’Brien, Rancho Santa Ana californica), from UC Botanical Garden, monitoring the site found that the Botanic Garden, 1500 N. College Avenue, Berkeley. Photograph by L. Vorobik. butterfly population significantly Claremont, CA 91711

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 23 Growing listed plants under Federal law by Jim A. Bartel

nlike the protections pro- “Of Cultivated Origin.” The phrase up, damaging, or destroying of such U vided to federally listed “remove and reduce to possession” plants in known violation of any wildlife or fauna, Federal has been interpreted to mean the State law or regulation, or in the law does not necessarily prohibit removal of a listed plant from its course of any violation of a State the growing of listed plants. In fact, location that is held by a person as criminal trespass law. This endan- only under certain circumstances his or her own. gered plant provision was intended does Federal law affect the collec- In 1988, the ESA was amended to stop “willful acts of vandalism” tion of seeds or cuttings and the to prohibit the malicious damage and not inhibit otherwise lawful cultivation of listed plants. or destruction of endangered plants in areas under Federal jurisdiction and the removal, cutting, digging Endangered Species Act of 1973

Within the definition of “take” under section 3 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, it is unlawful, among other things, to pursue, capture, or collect listed wildlife. As such, sci- entific research permits under sec- tion 10 of the ESA are required to engage in activities that may take wildlife regardless of whether the activity occurs on Federal govern- ment land. Unfortunately, plant protection under the ESA is limited by comparison. Section 9 of the ESA and its implementing regulations (50 CFR Section (§) 17.61 for endangered plants; and 50 CFR § 17.71 for threatened plants) provide a series of general prohibitions and excep- tions that apply to all listed plants. These prohibitions, in part, make it illegal for any person—subject to the jurisdiction of the United States—to: 1) import or export, transport in interstate or foreign commerce in the course of a com- mercial activity; 2) sell or offer for sale in interstate or foreign com- merce; or 3) remove and reduce to possession any listed plant from areas under Federal jurisdiction. Seeds from cultivated specimens of threatened plants are exempt Lemon lily (Lilium parryi), locally extirpated from portions of its range, and threatened from these prohibitions provided by horticultural collecting. Drawing by L. Vorobik from the CNPS Inventory of Rare that their containers are marked and Endangered Plants, 5th and 6th Editions.

24 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 permitted land use operations (e.g., plants (including seeds) that were mining, logging). Section 4 of the taken illegally and commercially ESA allows for such protection to transported across State lines or into be granted to threatened species via the United States. future regulation. The ESA and its implementing regulations (50 CFR § 17.62 and Policy § 17.63 for endangered plants; and 50 CFR § 17.72 for threatened On September 20, 2000, the US plants) also provide for the issuance Fish and Wildlife Service and Na- of scientific research permits to tional Marine Fisheries Service (the carry out otherwise prohibited ac- Services) jointly published a final tivities involving listed plants un- policy on the role of controlled der certain circumstances. For propagation in the recovery of listed threatened plants, permits are also species under the ESA (Federal Reg- available for botanical or horticul- ister 65:56916-56922). This policy tural exhibition, educational pur- supports and promotes coordina- poses, or special purposes consis- tion between various phases of con- tent with the purposes of the ESA. trolled propagation efforts such as propagation technology develop- ment, propagation for release, Lacey Act population augmentation, reintro- Amendments of 1981 duction, and monitoring. This policy will also contribute to the The Lacey Act, as amended in efficient use of funding resources. 1981, provides limited protection The Services assert that controlled for listed plants beyond that pro- propagation is not a substitute for vided by the ESA and its imple- addressing the decline of an endan- Calico monkeyflower (Mimulus pictus), is menting regulations. Under this gered or threatened species. As a threatened by grazing in the wild, but has been successfully grown from seed. statute, it is unlawful to import, ex- result, the first priority of the Ser- Drawing by L. Vorobik from the CNPS port, sell, receive, acquire, purchase, vices is to recover wild populations Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants, or engage in the interstate or for- in their natural habitat wherever 5th and 6th Editions. eign commerce of any plant taken, possible, without resorting to the possessed, or sold in violation of use of controlled propagation. Summary any law, treaty, or regulation of the Though this policy does not neces- United States, any Indian tribal law, sarily further restrict the cultiva- Most cultivation of listed plants or any law or regulation of any State. tion of federally listed plants, it re- is little affected by the limited pro- In short regarding the cultivation quires that scientific research per- visions of Federal law and joint of listed plants, the Lacey Act makes mits under the ESA comply with policy of the US Fish and Wildlife it illegal to grow (i.e., possess) listed the policy. Service and National Marine Fish- eries Service. The Endangered Spe- cies Act and Lacey Act likely do not Web Page Resources prohibit the growing of federally listed plants except for: 1) collec- See the CNPS web site (Home Page at www.cnps.org) for more information tion from Federal land, in known about: violation of any State law or regula- Endangered Species—Internet Links. From Home Page select “Links,” tion (including State criminal tres- then “Endangered Species Act Issues.” pass law), or 2) in violation of any Federal, State, or Indian tribal law Endangered Species Acts (ESA & CESA). From Home Page select “Con- where plant material was commer- servation,” then “ESA.” cially transported across State lines Conservation Policies (including sowing wildflowers, transplanting, or into the United States. and collecting). From Home Page select “Policy Archive,” then scroll down to “Conservation Policies” under “Policies and Guidelines.” Jim A. Bartel, Field Supervisor, USFWS, 2730 Loker Ave. West, Carlsbad, CA 92008

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 25 Native Plant Horticulture Resources: a starting point for Native Plant Gardening Sue Rosenthal and friends

[Editor’s note: These lists were started by Sue Rosenthal from the resources available at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Berkeley, and added to by numerous contributors. Special thanks go to Jeanne Ateljevich, editor of Manzanita, journal of the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden, for several of the web page addresses. The resources here are presented as a starting point for learning more about native plant horticulture, and are not necessarily endorsed by CNPS. Another excellent source of “native-to-site” plants and seeds is from local CNPS Chapter plant sales.]

Nurseries that carry native SLUG Native Plant Nursery, Log Cabin Ranch, plants 650-747-9606 Suncrest Nurseries (wholesale), Watsonville, California Flora Nursery, Fulton, 707-528-8813 831-728-2595 Circuit Rider Productions (call for appointment), Theodore Payne Foundation, Sun Valley, Windsor, 707-838-6641 818-768-1802 Consentinos Nursery, Malibu, 310-456-6026 Tree of Life Nursery, San Juan Capistrano, ConservaSeed (grasses), Rio Vista, 916-775-1676 949-728-0685 Cornflower Farms, Elk Grove, 916-689-1015 Yerba Buena Nursery, Woodside, 650-851-1668 El Nativo Growers, Inc., Azusa, 626-969-8449 Wayward Gardens, Sebastopol, 707-829-8225 Elkhorn Native Plant Nursery, Moss Landing, 831-763-1207 Seed Sources: Far West Bulb Farm, Grass Valley, 530-272-4775 Floral Native Nursery, Chico, 530-892-2511 Albright Seed Company, Martinez, 925-372-8245 Freshwater Farms, Eureka, 707-444-8261 Clyde Robin Seed Company, Castro Valley, 510-785-0425 Hedgerow Farms (grasses), Winters, 530-662-6847 ConservaSeed (grasses), Rio Vista, 916-775-1676 Intermountain Nursery, Prather, 559-855-3113 Hedgerow Farms (grasses), Winters, 530-662-6847 Las Pilitas Nursery, Santa Margarita, 805-438-5992 Larner Seeds, Bolinas, 415-868-9407 Matilija Nursery, Moorpark, 805-523-8604 Pacific Coast Seed, Livermore, 925-373-4417 Mockingbird Nursery, Riverside, 909-780-3571 Mostly Natives Nursery, Tomales, 707-878-2009 S & S Seeds, Carpinteria, 805-684-0436 Native Here (East Bay natives only), Berkeley, Theodore Payne Foundation, Sun Valley, 510-549-0211 818-768-1802 Native Revival, Aptos, 831-684-1811 Native Sons Nursery (wholesale only), Arroyo Horticulture Books Grande, 805-481-5996 North Coast Native Nursery, Petaluma, Emery, Dara E., 1988. Seed Propagation of Native 707-769-1213 California Plants. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 115 pp. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (Nov.-May only), Claremont, 909-625-8767 Lenz, Lee W. and John Dourley, 1981. California Na- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara, tive Trees and Shrubs for Garden and Environmental 805-682-4726 use in Southern California and Adjacent Areas.

26 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 Claremont: Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 232 pp. (out of print) Lowry, Judith. 1999. Gardening with a Wild Heart. University of California Press. See review this issue p. 37. O’Brien, Bart C., Lorrae C. Fuentes, and Lydia F. Newcombe (editors). Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gar- den Occasional Publications #1 (June 1997). Sympo- sium Proceedings. Out of the Wild and into the Garden I. California’s Horticulturally Significant Plants. April 30-May 2, 1992. 212 pages. 21 papers. O’Brien, Bart C., Lorrae C. Fuentes, and Lydia F. Newcombe (editors). Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Occasional Publications #2 (June 1997). Shasta snow wreath, Neviusia cliftonii. Drawing by L. Vorobik Symposium Proceedings. Out of the Wild and into from the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants, 5th and the Garden II. California’s Horticulturally Significant 6th Editions. Plants. March 9-11, 1995. 261 pages. 21 papers. O’Brien, Bart C., Lorrae C. Fuentes and Lydia F. “Gardening and Landscaping” section of Oregon Native Plant Society web page: Newcombe (editors). Rancho Santa Ana Botanic www.npsoregon.org/pos/gard.htm Garden Occasional Publications #3 (March 1999). Symposium Proceedings. Out of the Wild and into the Native plant gardening from the Washington Native Garden III. California’s Horticulturally Significant Plant Society: www.wnps.org/gardening.html Plants. June 19-21, 1997. 133 pages.

O’Brien, Bart C. 1999. California Native Plant Gardens: Noxious weeds (what not to grow!): Care and Maintenance. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. 16 pages. www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/weeds Schmidt, Marjorie G., 1980. Growing California Native www.pwrc.usgs.gov/wlinews/sprsum99.htm Plants. Berkeley, University of California Press, 366 www.pi.cdfa.ca.gov/weedinfo/ pp. www.caleppc.org Stevens, Barbara & Nancy Conner. 1997. Where on Earth—A Guide to Specialty Nurseries and Other Re- Nurseries: sources for California Gardeners. Heydey Books, Ber- keley. 3rd Edition. Use web page search engine and search on nursery names (above) in quotes

Web sites Miscellaneous:

Botanical Gardens and Arboreta: Botanical books: huntbot.andrew.cmu.edu/CBHL/ Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden (Tilden): CBHL-Libraries.html www.nativeplants.org California native plants discussion group: Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden: www.calypteanna.com/ca-natives.htm www.cgu.edu/inst/rsa CalFlora Database: www.calflora.org Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: www.sbbg.org California Wildflower and Fall Color Hotsheet: Strybing Arboretum: www.strybing.org www.calphoto.com University of California at Berkeley Botanical Garden: Pacific Coast Iris Society: www.pacificcoastiris.org www.mip.berkeley.edu/garden Resources for San Francisco Bay Area gardeners: University of California at Davis Arboretum: www.gardens.com www.arboretum.ucdavis.edu Seed-banking: www.berrybot.org/ar_ssfuture.html Sudden oak death: www.suddenoakdeath.org Native Plant Societies: CNPS web site: www.cnps.org (see sidebar, p. 25) Sue Rosenthal, PO Box 20489, Oakland, CA 94620

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 27 Index to FREMONTIA: Growing California Native Plants Volumes 1–28, April 1973–January 2000 Compiled by Vivian Parker

When searching for a specific plant, look for both the scientific and common names, as all plants are not listed both ways. Note that some names have changed since the first Fremontia was published in April 1973. If you are looking for a specific plant, be sure to check for synonyms also.

Annuals. 5(1):8-13; Apr 77. Buckwheats. 3(3):14-19; Oct 75. Baneberry (Actaea rubra ssp. arguta). Calochortus. 2(4):25-26; Jan 75, 24(3): 2(1):25; Apr 74. 25-28; Jul 96, 25(1):20-25; Jan 97. Bibliography, gardening with natives. Carpenteria californica. 10(4):21-22; Jan 13(1):25-28; Apr 85. 83. Big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana). 8(4):23-24; Jan 81. 3(4):28-29; Jan 76. Bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa). 9(1): Ceanothus. 3(3):26-27; Oct 75, 10(3): 30; Apr 81. 24-25; Oct 82, 15(3):17-21; Oct Botanical gardens. 13(4):30; Jan 86, 87. 18(1):3-8; Jan 90. Deer brush (Ceanothus integerri- Brodiaea. 4(4):28-29; Jan 77, 8(1):24- mus). 6(1):25-26; Apr 78. 25; Apr 80, 25(4):28-30; Oct 97, Mahala mat (C. prostratus). 11(4): 26(3):29-31; Jul 98. 27-28; Jan 84. Chia (Salvia columbaria). Buckeye (Aesculus californica). 3(2): 18- Pine mat (C. diversifolius). 11(4): 19; Jul 75. 27-28; Jan 84. Dogwood. 3(3):23-24; Oct 75, 7(3):30- Rincon (C. divergens var. confusus). 31; Oct 79. 11(4):27-28; Jan 84. Eriogonum. 3(3):14-19; Oct 75. Santa Barbara (C. impressus). 4(3): 28-30; Oct 76. Evening primrose, desert (Oenothera deltoides ssp. cognata). 2(2):26; Jul Wavy-leaf (C. foliosus). 11(4):27- 74. 28; Jan 84. Ferns. Chaparral. 14(3):34-35; Oct 86. Lyman’s. 13(1):20; Apr 85. Collecting from the wild, ethics of. 3(3): 30; Oct 75, 4(2):17-21; Jul Rock ferns. 2(3):20-22; Oct 74. 76, 4(3):30-31; Oct 76, 4(4):20- Sword fern. 3(3):22; Oct 75. 24; Jan 77. Fremontias, The. 16(4):21-23; Jan 89. College campus nature trail. 13(3):23- Fuchsia, California. 24(4):27-30; Oct 24; Oct 85. 96. Coyote mint. (Monardella villosa). 7(2): Gardening with natives, A readers 14; Jul 79, 24(3):29-31; Jul 96. guide to. 8(10:19-21; Apr 80, Deciduous shrubs. 15(3):11-16; Oct 87. 13(1):25-28; Apr 85. Deer [herbivory]. 15(3):27-28; Oct 87. Gentiana oregana. 3(3):29; Oct 75. Desert bells (Phacelia campanularia). Globe lily, white (Calochortus albus). 10(2):24; Jul 82. 2(4):25-26; Jan 75. Bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa). Illus- Desert willow. 6(1):27; Apr 78. Globe mallows. 27(1):31-32; Jan 99. trations on pp. 28 and 29 by Margaret Warriner Buck, from The Wild Flowers of Dichelostemma. 25(4):28-30; Oct 97, Golden lantern (Calochortus amabilis). California by Mary Elizabeth Parsons. 26(3):29-31; Jul 98. 2(4):25; Jan 75.

28 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 Mock-orange (Philadelphus lewisii ssp. Pine, foxtail. 11(1):7-8; Apr 83. californicus). 5(3):26-27; Oct 77. Pines, California. 15(1):17-26; Apr 87. Monkey-flower, southern (Diplacus Plants for dry gardens. 5(2):8-12; Jul longiflorus). 4(2):28-30; Jul 76. 77. Native plants in horticulture. 15(3):4; Plants for hot valley climates. 6(1):27; Oct 87. Apr 78. Nemophila, spotted (Nemophila macu- Poppies, The giant. 19(4):24-26; Oct lata). 4(1):23-24; Apr 76. 91. Nurseries, native plant. Propagation. List, 1990. 18(4):76; Oct 90. Seeding. 12(2):26-28; Jul 84. New plants, new problems. 21(4): Using underground parts for. 25-27; Oct 93. 3(1):3-12; Apr 75. Some commercial sources of Cali- Vegetative methods. 12(3):26-28; fornia native plants. 5(2):25- Oct 84. 26; Jul 77. Salal (Gaultheria shallon). 6(4):20-21; Sources of native plants: nurser- Jan 79. ies, seeds, and sales. 10(3):25- Salvia. 9(2):20; Jul 81, 19(1):25-28; 28; Oct 82. Jan 91, 19(2):23-25; Apr 91. Oaks. 4(1):12-13; Apr 76, 11(3):26- School nature area. 2(4):24; Jan 75. 28; Oct 83, 18(3):105-107; Jul 90, School nature center. 4(4):14-15; Jan Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry (Ribes 24(3):20-22; Jul 96, 24(4):12-14; 87. speciosum). Oct 96. Sea dahlia (Coreopsis maritima). 2(2): Grasses. 9(1):21-28; Apr 81. Penstemon. 3(2):19-20; Jul 75, 5(2):23- 26-27; Jul 74. 24; Jul 77, 6(3):30-31; Oct 78, Heuchera. 11(1):19-21; Apr 83. Sequoia, giant (Sequoiadendron gigan- 11(2):18-19; Jul 83, 27(3):25-30; teum). 9(4):25-26; Jan 82. Hollyleaf cherry (Prunus ilicifolia). 2(3): Jul 99. Serpentine. 12(1):31-33; Apr 84. 23; Oct 74. Perennials and shrubs. 3(3):3-13; Oct Hollyleaf redberry (Rhamnus crocea ssp. 75, 14(3):34-35; Oct 86, 15(3):3- Shasta snow-wreath. 21(3):10-11; Jul ilicifolia). 1(2):11; Jul 73. 16; Oct 87. 93. Holly, summer (Comarostaphylis Phlox, western pink (Phlox speciosa ssp. Shooting star (Dodecatheon hender- diversifolia). 8(2):27-28; Jul 80. occidentalis). 6(2):30-31; Jul 78. sonii). 3(1):24-25; Apr 75. Iris. 7(1):24-25; Apr 79, 18(4):67-72; Shrubs. See “Chaparral” and “Peren- Oct 90. nials.” Ithuriel’s spear (Brodiaea laxa). 8(1):24- Silk tassel bush. 6(1):27; Apr 78. 25; Apr 80. Sisyrinchium. 20(4):26-28; Oct 92. Lewisia. 13(1):29-30; Apr 85. Snowdrop bush. 13(4):27; Jan 86. Lily. 1(3):19; Oct 73, 17(2):20-22; Jul Sugar bush. 6(1):27; Apr 78. 89, 18(1):24-25; Jan 90. Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia). 1(4): Linanthus. 12(3):24-25; Oct 84. 23-25; Jan 74, 24(1):30-31; Jan Lupine, silver circle (Lupinus albifrons 96. var. flumineus). 8(3):23-24; Oct 80. Triteleia. 25(4):28-30; Oct 97, Madroño. 20(1):24-25; Jan 92. 26(3):29-31; Jul 98. Mahonia. 4(4):27-29; Jan 8715(1):27- Wax-myrtle, California (Myrica cali- 28; Apr 87. fornica). 7(4):31; Jan 80. Manzanita. 1(1):18; Apr 73, 5(4):38- Woolly blue curls (Trichostema lana- 39; Jan 78, 13(3):26-27; Oct 85, tum). 9(3):26-27; Oct 81. 16(3):23-25; Oct 88. Woodside Library native plant gar- Mariposa lily. 24(3):25-28; Jul 96, den. 3(3):25-26; Oct 75. 25(1): 20-25; Jan 97. Milkweed, purple (Asclepias cordifolia). Vivian Parker, 6221 Shoo Fly Rd., Kelsey, 1(3):19; Oct 73. California lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus). CA 95667

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 29 Natives for Your Garden by Marjorie G. Schmidt

[Reprinted from Fremontia, Vol. 2:4, about three years to produce a flow- January 1975.] ering bulb. Plant seeds in pots or deep boxes in a friable soil-mix con- GOLDEN LANTERN taining coarse sand and oak humus, (Calochortus amabilis) or peat moss if the leaf mold is not Family: Lily (Liliaceae) available. Seedling bulblets are small white ovals, which may be trans- Other Names: Golden lily-bell, planted to fresh soil after the sec- yellow fairy lantern ond year or allowed to remain in Habit: A stout plant, six inches the original container until mature. to two feet tall, growing from a In the garden, plant the bulbs three solid, coated bulb. The stem is erect or four inches deep in well-drained or curved and is branched. soil, in either full sun or high, bro- Foliage: The basal leaf is lance- ken shade. If gophers are present, shaped, of a glossy, dark green. It is protect the bulbs by planting them often longer than the stem. On the in a shallow, oblong wire-mesh bas- stem are cauline leaves and long, ket. Golden lantern is especially pointed leaf-like bracts. suitable for pockets in the rock gar- Flowers: The flowers are nod- den, a raised border, or a sunny ding, triangular globes of overlap- spot in front of shrubs or perenni- ping petals of a deep, clear yellow. als, but should not be closely The edges of the petals are incised, crowded by other plants. It will tol- making a delicate fringe. The gland erate moderate amounts of water appears as a blister on the outside during the growing season. Golden of the petal. The greenish-yellow lantern has not persisted in my Iris macrosiphon from Tiburon ridge. sepals are long and pointed. Bloom- mountain garden at 3000 feet Photograph by S. McCormick; its use ing time is May or June. elevation. courtesy of the Jepson Herbarium, UC. Fruit. The fruits are nodding, Estimate of Garden Value: In three-winged capsules containing my opinion this is one of the gems charming contrast would be Brodiaea ample dark brown seed. among our wide range of bulbous bridgesii and B terrestris. Closely re- Culture: The golden lantern plants, with the bearing and fine pro- lated to golden lantern is Calochortus may be grown from seed; it takes portions of an aristocrat. Although I pulchellus, local to Mt. Diablo, its have not found the golden lantern flowers having thick hairs on the to be quite so adaptable as Calochortus inner face and slightly more con- albus, it is known to be amenable to spicuous fringing on the petals. cultivation, given the correct situa- Distribution: Golden lantern tion, soil, and good drainage. For a grows on loamy to rocky soils, on companion, the gardener might con- dry, brushy slopes, or in woodlands sider Iris macrosiphon, a natural com- in the North Coast Ranges from bination occurring occasionally in Marin to Humboldt Counties. West the wooded foothills and one I al- of Red Bluff, scattered colonies ap- ways planned to copy but never quite pear among upland groves of achieved. Other suitable compan- Quercus lobata and Q. douglasii, along ions might be one of the low, with a wide assortment of typical shrubby-based penstemons, such as foothill natives. Here, in garden- Penstemon parvulus or P. heterophyllus like grassy dells, it is preceded by ssp. purdyi, although their flowering glowing masses of shooting stars Figure: Golden lantern (Calochortus periods might not always coincide. (Dodecatheon spp.) and followed by amabilis). Photo credit unknown; its use Other native bulbs likely to bloom the lobster-red blossoms of Silene courtesy of the Jepson Herbarium, UC. at the same time and to afford a californica.

30 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 WHITE GLOBE-LILY (Calochortus albus) Family: Lily (Liliaceae)

Other Names: Fairy lantern, pearly globe Habit: A stout plant growing from a small, solid, oval bulb hav- ing a thin coat. Foliage: The leaves are basal, elongated, lanceolate, and a glossy, deep green. There are narrow leaves along the stem and leaf-like bracts. Flowers: The nodding, nearly globe-shaped flowers have three petals which curve in to meet at the tips. They are a satiny white, some- times faintly rose tinted. Short se- pals, often with rose or purplish tint, curve around the globe. A gland on the inner petal causes a raised, blister-like appearance on the out- side of the flower. Fruit: The fruit is a nodding, three-sectioned capsule, quite con- spicuous and containing generous quantities of black, angular seeds. Culture: White globe-lily is one of the most adaptable of the Iris innominata from Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. Photo credit unknown; its use calochortus, accepting the condi- courtesy of the Jepson Herbarium, UC. tions of a watered, shady border. Seed may be planted with no pre- flower, the long basal leaf will spring who considered it without peer treatment in a friable, humus soil in up first, followed by the flowering among wildflowers. In a shady bor- autumn, using deep pots, boxes, or stalk, the latter generally sparingly der it may be used with vancouveria, a well-protected outdoor bed. Bulbs branched and bearing one or more Iris innominata, and such garden will be mature and ready to flower flowers. In moist woodlands, plants subjects as violets, primroses, col- in about three years, and until then, are exceptionally tall and robust with umbines, any of the many low, trail- only a narrow, spear-like leaf will an abundance of flowers. In dry oak ing campanulas, and ferns. It is also appear each spring. When ready to woodlands, plants tend to be smaller suitable for a semi-shady rock gar- with few side branches. White den, a north slope, and in company globe-lily is hardy to cold and has with other small native bulbs. It flourished in my present mountain blooms in May and June. garden. Distribution: White globe-lily Estimate of Garden Value: is found on wooded slopes and There is no question of the adapt- canyons in the western foothills of ability, beauty, and worthiness of the Sierra and Butte County south- this lovely flower. In my experience ward to Madera County; in the plants persist for many years, and Coast Ranges south to Los Ange- seem not at all subject to the dis- les County; and in the San Gabriel eases and other problems which be- and Cuyamaca Mountains. It grows set the tall mariposas. Plants have a to great height and perfection in graceful bearing, and the flowers many places in the Santa Cruz White globe-lily (Calochortus albus) from have a translucent, lustrous quality Mountains. Santa Cruz Island. Photograph by D. often noted by admirers of the ge- Wilken. nus. It was beloved of John Muir, Marjorie G. Schmidt, 1905-1989

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 31 Growing Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia Lori Hubbart

Coast Redwood tings from a main (apical) branch tail product, such as Rootone, may (SEQUOIA tip, rather than side (lateral) shoots. be used if non-treated cuttings fail SEMPERVIRENS) High success rates are achieved to root. using no synthetic rooting hor- The ends of the cuttings are mone. This is good news, since there dipped in the rooting hormone, Seed are safety concerns associated with and then stuck into a medium held oast Redwood seeds are IBA (indolebutyric acid) in strong in a container. The cutting me- Cvery small, and are collected concentrations. A powder-based re- dium should be something gritty from the cones in early to mid-fall. Wild-collected seed will Old growth coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Photograph by A. Schoenherr. have a poor germination rate due to the low percentage of viable seeds. Commercial seed has been air-blown to winnow out the lighter, non-viable seeds. This is what gives commercial redwood seeds their higher germination percentage. However, when growing for resto- ration purposes, it is best to use site-specific seeds, or as close to it as possible. Unless you want to ex- periment with winnowing tech- niques to eliminate the non-viable seeds, you must collect more seed than you need to insure sufficient germination for your purposes. No special treatment of the seeds is needed, although Emery’s Seed Propagation of Native Califor- nia Plants notes that one-month cold stratification may improve ger- mination. If sowing in one-gallon pots, 10 seeds per pot is a good number. A gritty, well-drained mix is essential.

Cuttings As one would expect, coast redwood’s readiness to grow and regrow after logging or natural di- sasters makes it quite amenable to propagation from cuttings. Red- wood cuttings from side shoots may not develop the strong central stem, or “leader” necessary for its future life as a tall, straight conifer. To avoid this difficulty, always take cut-

32 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 and sterile, such as coarse sand, be induced to open and release their perlite, or a mixture of perlite and seeds, which can be done by put- vermiculite. Perlite is a white, light- ting the cones in an oven on low weight mineral product. Vermicu- temperature, and checking them lite is actually flakes of air-puffed frequently. mica. These products must be As with its cousin, the coast red- watered first and handled with care wood, giant sequoia seeds have a to avoid breathing their dust. The low rate of viability. Cold stratifica- containers can be placed on heat- tion of seeds for 60 days may pro- ing cables, which helps to stimu- duce faster germination, but is un- late root development. likely to increase the percentage of seeds that germinate. Use seed from newly opened Care of Young Trees cones, as seed viability period is Commercial tree nurseries grow short. In order to germinate and redwoods and other conifers in long, grow, seeds must have an adequate narrow tubes or bands. This pro- and regular supply of moisture and vides for vertical root space, which be protected from drying influences is more important to a young tree of air and light. Cover the seeds than lush top growth. Lacking such with 1/4" of seed medium. Note that containers, redwood seedlings can while coast redwoods occur natu- be grown in small pots and then rally in acidic soils, giant sequoia moved up into gallon cans. seeds germinate best with a neutral Redwoods in the wild grow with pH. The seed medium should have the aid of endomycorrhizal fungi, a high mineral, rather than organic associated with the roots of the trees. content. These fungal associates are essen- tial to the growth and health of red- The Grizzly Giant, an old growth giant Cuttings woods and can be included in the sequoia in Yosemite National Park. potting soil. Commercial growers Young giant sequoias may pro- Photograph by A. Schoenherr. sometimes add a fungal inoculant, duce stump sprouts as a result of Care of Young Trees but the same results may be achieved injury, but do not typically resprout by mixing in some of the soil around from stumps or roots. While giant Young giant sequoia trees must the base of wild redwoods. sequoia cuttings may root without have regular water, and they abso- Coast redwood trees grow natu- a rooting hormone, a low-strength lutely need plenty of sunlight to rally in damp canyons or fog belts, rooting product may be helpful. thrive. Many conifer species require but can even be grown in hot, dry Cuttings are usually taken from shade when young, but this is not areas if given plentiful water. Al- trees under 30 years old, though true of the giant sequoia. though young trees grown anywhere cuttings from young (but hardened Like coast redwood and many need summer water, they do not off) growth of older trees may be other forest trees, giant sequoias rely require the high-nitrogen feeding successful. As with many conifers, on endomycorrhizal fungi for regimen often given to conifers. it may take six months or more for a healthy growth, so the same treat- cutting to produce roots. ment is appropriate. It might be dif- ficult, however, to obtain soil from Growing Giant around the dripline of mature giant Sequoia sequoia trees. Further, these trees (SEQUOIADENDRON have sensitive feeder roots near the surface, which could be damaged by GIGANTEUM) digging. The addition of the appro- priate mycorrhizal inoculant might Seed be best, and these products can prob- The cones of giant sequoias are ably be located on the Internet. serotinous, or closed, and may re- Foliage and cones of coast redwood (left) main so for 20 years with the viable and giant sequoia (right). Photograph by Lori Hubbart, P.O. Box 985, Point Arena, seeds intact within. The cones must A. Schoenherr. CA 95468

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 33 CALIFORNIA REDWOOD: WHAT IS THE STATE TREE? by Allan A. Schoenherr

his is a story about names. I wood was in the genus Taxodium, tempt to signify a close relationship T got started on this topic and the Sierra redwood was in the with the genus Sequoia. Why obfus- when it was pointed out to genus Wellingtonia. Doubtless cate the relationship between the me by Bill Tweed, chief interpreter Endlicher wished to honor two species by using a common for Sequoia National Park, that Sequoyah, who developed a written name such as big tree or giant se- coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) version of the Cherokee language. quoia for the Sierra species when and giant sequoia or Sierra redwood He apparently applied both species neither name calls attention to the (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are both names to the coast redwood, but in relationship, and neither is a trans- considered the official California 1854, J. Decaisne, a French bota- lation of the genus? True, Sierra state tree. nist, transferred the name Sequoia redwoods are big or giant trees, but This apparent conundrum was gigantea to the Sierra redwood. In so are coast redwoods. Both species created by the California Legisla- honor of the giant trees of the Si- are champions in their own right: ture in 1937 when it designated erra Nevada, Sequoia National Park coast redwoods are the tallest trees California redwood the official state and Sequoia National Forest were in the world, and Sierra redwoods tree without specifying a scientific established and named, the former are the largest in mass. name. The matter was reinforced in 1890 and the latter in 1908. Names are best when they tell in 1951 when the California Attor- While explanation for the name you something, or somehow char- ney General formally declared that, Sequoia seems simple enough, the acterize an entity. Nevertheless, we without a scientific name, both trees name Sequoiadendron went through can come up with thousands of com- were officially the state tree. Fol- a long period of controversy before mon and scientific names that are lowing this decision, a report was it was accepted. It was proposed meaningless outside local use. I don’t submitted to the California Legis- originally in 1939 by John Buchholz, believe that we can change a com- lature by the State Park Commis- a botany professor at the University mon name by decree—even if the sion and the State Forester, in which of Illinois, but was not even provi- change is an improvement—but at- they officially adopted the common sionally accepted until the late 1950s. tempts are being made to modify names of coast redwood and Sierra By 1953 Donald Culross Peattie, in names such as Mormon tea, squaw redwood for the two trees. As of A Natural History of Western Trees, bush, or digger pine because of the 1951, both trees were officially still used the genus Sequoia, whereas possible derogatory implications. known as redwoods, according to Lyman Benson, in his 1957 book Giant sequoia is widely used, and it the California Divisions of Forestry Plant Classification, and Philip Munz, relates to the name of a national and State Parks and, according to in A California Flora, published in park, a national forest, and a new most taxonomists, both trees also 1959, used Sequoiadendron. national monument. It isn’t likely were in the genus Sequoia. I prefer calling the two species the common name will be changed. Calling either tree a redwood was coast redwood and Sierra redwood, These common names have become not new in 1951. Erwin Gudde, in based on their close relationship, more permanent than scientific his 1969 publication California Place and am not alone in this opinion. names. In my writing, however, I Names, notes that the name redwood Dan Axelrod, the well-known will qualify the common name of is used for more than fifty localities paleobotanist, called Sequoiadendron the Sierra Nevada species by saying along the coast and several others in Sierra redwood as recently as 1986. “giant sequoia” or “Sierra redwood.” Tulare and Fresno counties in the Certainly, the California Attorney Meanwhile, hooray for California Sierra Nevada, the latter of which General made the two terms offi- for having two kinds of champion clearly refer to the Sierra redwood. cial with his 1951 decision. None- redwood, and so what if they are The genus name Sequoia appar- theless, the Sierra species has been officially both the state tree? Cali- ently was applied to both of these called big tree, bigtree, or giant se- fornia is special for many reasons. California trees by an Austrian quoia as far back as the early 1900s. scholar, Stephan L. Endlicher, in Clearly, both species are red- Allan A. Schoenherr, Fullerton College, his 1847 treatise Synopsis Conifer- woods, and the name Sequoiadendron Natural Sciences, 321 East Chapman Av- arum. At the time, the coast red- means sequoia tree, an apparent at- enue, Fullerton, CA 92832-2095

34 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 The General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park. This Sierra sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is considered to be the largest living organism. Photograph by A. Schoenherr.

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 35 NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dear Editor, of these individuals in Strawberry Garden that has proven invasive. Like Bruce Cowan (letters to Canyon. This was a scientific experi- These include: 1) Chilean Brome Fremontia, Vol.28:2-4), I also have ment, to test his hypothesis that sim- (Bromus stamineus), which is very suc- heard that G. Ledyard Stebbins intro- ply doubling the genetic material cessful as a town weed, and which ex- duced Ehrharta erecta to California would not make the plants better hibits at least some limited ability to (specifically to the UC Berkeley cam- adapted. It probably is the source of invade natural habitats. It so closely pus and adjacent nature preserves, the misimpression that he introduced resembles some forms of California where it is abundant and has ousted the species. Dr. Stebbins and I exam- Brome (B. carinatus) that it is diffi- natives). And like Mr. Cowan, I origi- ined the sites where he had planted the cult to determine just how invasive it nally assumed the story was true. Since artificial polyploids, and he concluded may be. 2) At least two Australian the grass had no common name in that they were no longer present. Ap- oatgrasses (Danthonia spp.), one of California, I even christened it parently, they had been outcompeted which is a major problem in north “Stebbin’s Folly” (intentionally mis- by normal E. erecta plants. coastal Cailifornia. The other is so spelling Stebbins’s name to give it the Although I believe Dr. Stebbins’s successful as a Berkeley weed that it imprecision that so often characterizes version, I still like my common name seems likely to become widespread common names). of Stebbin’s Folly. If Mr. Cowan is eventually. 3) A Mediterranean wild Years later, I met Dr. Stebbins and correct, Dr. Stebbins did help spread oat (Avena sterilis), which has invaded have heard his version. He was quite the plant to the Carmel area (though natural areas in and around Berke- hurt that his name was associated, in it would have dispersed there from ley. It also has hybridized with our his view unfairly, with E. erecta. Ac- the Bay Area eventually, regardless). common introduced wild oat (A. cording to Dr. Stebbins, the grass was But to me, my common name re- fatua), possibly further increasing the common on campus, and had already minds us that we all are responsible already extreme invasiveness of the spread up into Strawberry Canyon, for plant introductions. Any indi- latter. In addition, an introduced when he first encountered it. He be- vidual who has ever traveled outside comp[osite] (Urospermum picroides), lieved it was originally introduced “in the state, and then returned, has to spreading slowly but surely and ris- P. B. Kennedy’s time,” i.e., through some small degree endangered Cali- ing to dominance in appropriate East the campus Grass Garden (in exist- fornia’s precious flora. In a global Bay habitats, probably came in origi- ence in the early twentieth century), economy, introductions of invasive nally as an “omni-Mediterranean” in which many species of grasses from species can only continue. species in the Old World, and bids Mediterranean-type climates were This example also illustrates the fair to become extremely successful planted. very serious role that botanical gar- in California in the long run. Dr. Stebbins did use colchicine to dens have played in introducing pest Mark Blumer, create E. erecta plants with double the plants to foreign lands. Stebbin’s Assoc. Prof. of Geography, normal number of chromosomes (ar- Folley is only one of a number of State University of New York, tificial polyploids), and planted some grasses introduced through the Grass Binghamton

BOOKS RECEIVED

Flowering Vines, Beautiful Climb- dening Series. Brooklyn Botanic Gar- Raven, Missouri Botanical Garden ers, by Karen Davis-Cutler, guest edi- den, 1000 Washington Ave., Brook- “. . . a must-have book for anyone in- tor. 1999. 111 pages. Though there is lyn, NY 11225. $9.95 softcover. terested in the flora of Yosemite or sur- hardly any mention of native plants An Illustrated Flora of Yosemite rounding areas. Its beautiful illustrations in this book, home gardeners will find National Park, by Stephen J. Botti. and efficient keys make for fast and reli- it a convenient, concise source of in- Illustrated by Walter Sydoriak. 2001. able identifications.” —Melanie Arnett, formation on flowering vines. There This 516-page 8.5-pound volume is Botanical Consultant for 2001 Floris- are chapters on the most popular illustrated with over 1,100 watercolor tic Inventory, Devils Postpile National blooming climbers, roses, and clema- paintings and nearly 400 black-and- Monument tis, including outstanding cultivars, white line drawings (including those Letters from Yellowstone, by Diane where to plant them, and how to care that illustrate the glossary). Smith. 1999. Penguin Books. 226 pp. for them. “This is an impressive and beauti- A delightful read that takes you back The book also has a guide for mail- ful flora for Yosemite National Park. to the late 1800s; this novel describes order sources of flowering vines. This All those who appreciate the park’s natu- the botanical adventures of fictitious handbook is No. 158 in the Brooklyn ral treasures and botanical art in gen- scientist A. E. Bartram in Yellowstone Botanic Garden 21st Century Gar- eral will enjoy this book.” —Peter H. National Park.

36 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 BOOK REVIEWS

Gardening with a Wild Heart, by fornia natives as successful landscape portant theme, while Ane Carla Judith Larner Lowry. 1999. 280 pages. plants was becoming better under- Rovetta’s attractive chapter opening 21 color photographs, 6 line illustra- stood thanks to fine books such as drawings are given fuller display. tions. University of California Press, Marjorie G. Schmidt’s Growing Cali- Gardening with a Wild Heart consists $35.00 cloth, $19.25 paper. fornia Native Plants, published by UC of many thoughtful essays that are as It’s amazing. Fifty years ago the for- Press in 1980. It seems that at last the skillfully woven together as a Native mation of CNPS was still only a real plants of our State were actually American basket. Lowry’s writing style gleam in the eyes of some Berkeley being accepted and welcomed home has the flavor of a Barbara Kingsolver folks and Judith Lowry, the author of again—what an irony. novel, so even people who are not par- this exceptional book, had not even Now the publication of Judith ticularly interested in gardening or started school. At that young age Lowry’s challenging book leads native garden books will find absorbing read- Lowry had little interest in plants and plant gardeners into the 21st century ing here. At one point Lowry finds might have been astonished to learn with a gentle but compelling logic that herself at a Mendocino hot spring. On she was destined to write one of the suggests gardening be approached climbing out of the pool she notes one major pace-setting garden books of from an entirely different viewpoint. of her hands resting on concrete and the new millennium. Her book’s subtitle, Restoring Cali- the other on native rock. She writes, Times have certainly changed. Way fornia’s Native Landscapes at Home, “Regarding the seam between the two back then a Bay Area friend of herba- shows clearly that “home” for Lowry materials, a hardened flow between ceous border fame pointed to a new is as much in her wildland garden as in substances, it occurred to me that this plant in her garden. “That,” she said her wild heart. She urges us toward a is the place where I have come to gar- in hushed tones as if introducing me new gardening ethic coming primarily den: at the seam between the wild and to the Dalai Lama himself, “is a Cali- from the native heart rather than con- the cultivated, where they merge and fornia Native.” Noticing my puzzled ventional Old World plant formulas. mingle, the shape of one giving shape look she continued. “They’re like This “must read” book is poetically to the other.” Lowry often lures read- olives, you know. They’re an acquired visionary, pointing also to a radically ers beyond that seam into California’s taste.” Unfortunately, like many other different way of thinking about land- vanishing wild garden where she gardeners new to growing natives, her scape design for the coming century. might spend a day napping in a bed of plant soon died from the lush water- Before the inevitable second edition flowering cream cups or collecting for ing and feeding diet of an English her- goes to press my hope is that more her seed company, Larner Seeds, of baceous border. telling color photographs will be cho- Marin County. Thirty years later the use of Cali- sen to fully illustrate the book’s im- Sometimes in her compelling writ-

VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 37 ing Lowry despairs at the erosion of Sally and Andy Wasowski. The publi- graphs for chapter openings that al- natural values but then at other times cation of their two latest books coin- ways complement the interesting text. suggests hopefully that overall maybe cides perfectly with the fact that now, Little wonder it was selected by the those values will prevail. “On those at long last, even the most conventional American Horticultural Society as one days when the spent blossoms of sky- thinkers appear to agree that global of the top 75 gardening books of all colored ceanothus drop on our break- warming is here for real. Thus, badly time. The book’s first section discusses fast dishes and in our hair and the designed gardens will be especially vul- attractive approaches to landscaping young oak blooms for the first time, nerable to our changing climate—one in southern areas including the sophis- on those days when pleasantness and reason why the Wasowski’s books are ticated concept of “envelope garden- goodness surround us, it seems that we so timely. They show that gardens are ing.” The second section is an exten- will.” most successful when plants are grown sive, superbly photographed glossary Certainly this timely book can only that are native to their regions and are of the many suitable landscaping spe- help Lowry’s pace-setting vision be- thus able to survive the challenges of cies that are indigenous to those re- come a reality. dramatically rugged climate condi- gions. Also included are extensive and —Nory Nisbet tions. Of course their sage ideas apply wonderfully detailed charts and a zone worldwide, but these books focus par- map to help guide plant selections for Native Landscaping from El Paso ticularly on the gardens of New Mexico numerous varied climatic regions in- to L.A., by Sally Wasowski with Andy and Arizona through West Texas and cluding Tucson, Las Vegas, and San Wasowski. 2000, 184 pages, 217 color Nevada to southern California. Diego. photographs. Contemporary Books. The Wasowskis have spread the gos- The Landscaping Revolution takes an $22.95. pel of native plants by producing no amusing, “in your face” approach to The Landscape Revolution, by less than nine books and over a hun- the serious matter of environmentally Andy Wasowski with Sally Wasowski. dred magazine articles. No wonder dumb gardening. Many people have 2000, 166 pages. 152 color photo- their website is “http://www.botanical already suggested the solution but it graphs. Contemporary Books $27.95. missionaries.com.” cannot be shouted out again too There’s nothing like being in exactly Native Landscaping from El Paso to loudly. That is why this book is suc- the right place at exactly the right time. L.A. is informative and well designed, cessful. The cover and interior graphic That happy event has happened to using handsome full-page photo- design take a sort of “wham, bam, here

38 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 I am” approach, with chapter open- ings that give you a brisk visual kick. Doubtless this visual guerilla war- Announcing the North Coast Chapter’s fare approach is designed intention- The Ecology and Management ally to wake up readers to the great importance of the Wasowskis’ mes- of Rare Plants of sage. They debunk the conventional suburban garden with its immacu- Northwestern California lately pruned shrubs that are often entirely unsuited to the area, and at- ▼ tack labor-intensive lawns that do February 6–8, 2002 — Arcata, CA nothing but waste water and gulp pes- ticides. Readers who feel trapped by this slave labor approach to garden- For more information, visit the North Coast Chapter’s website at ing will find that the shackles drop off http://www.northcoast.com/~cnps after following the Wasowkis’ advice advocating the extensive use of native plants, relaxed landscape design, and pesticide alternatives. Also included Certainly one wise way to pre- garden. As this revolutionary book’s are excellent essays on Landscaping pare for likely climate changes is, as title suggests, that will require a ma- Revolutionaries—enlightened gar- Wasowski advocates, to create a gar- jor change, or even a mutiny, by some deners who are following some aspect den that is more in tune with its sur- conventional gardeners. of the Wasowskis’ philosophy. roundings—an environmentally aware —Nory Nisbet

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VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001 FREMONTIA 39 Editorial

ne of the best ways to cel- lished in Fremontia. We invite you June McCaskill. Tributes will appear Oebrate the wonderful botani- into the garden with a special reprint in later issues of Fremontia. cal diversity of California is by gar- of Marjorie Schmidt’s 1975 “How to As the new Editor of Fremontia, I dening with natives. Bart O’Brien has Grow Globe Lilies,” and the new thank past Editor Phyllis Faber, In- helped gather material that we hope “Growing California Redwoods,” by terim Editor Diane Renshaw, and their will inspire you, and also help you to Lori Hubbart. Our final piece by Allan entire production team, for many years understand the ethical challenges of Schoenherr is a short but thoughtful of excellent reading. They have set the gardening with natives. After philo- discussion of the history behind and standard high with their hard work and sophical considerations, we offer you implication of the names of our mag- level of excellence. Our new team still resources: Sue Rosenthal and friends nificent state trees. includes Beth Hansen-Winter, de- have compiled a list of valuable books, We all note with great sadness the signer, who has created the new fresh nurseries, seed sources, and web sites; passing of four great contributors to look for Fremontia. We hope that you Vivian Parker has assembled a spe- botany in California: Herbert Baker, find it attractive and easy to read. cial index to horticultural topics pub- Lincoln Constance, Jack Major, and Linda Ann Vorobik, Editor

CONTRIBUTORS

Carol J. Baird (Co-VP of CNPS Education/Outreach Committee) is Executive Director of the California Insti-

tute for Biodiversity.

Address Service Requested Service Address

Sacramento, CA 95814 CA Sacramento,

1722 J St., Suite 17 Suite St., J 1722 California Native Plant Society Plant Native California Jim A. Bartel is the Field Supervisor for the Carlsbad office of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Carol Bornstein is Director of Horticulture at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. David Fross teaches horticulture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and is president of Native Sons Wholesale Nursery. Lori Hubbart worked at Yerba Buena Nursery in Woodside for seven years, and is past CNPS state president. Bart C. O'Brien is Director of Horticulture at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, in Claremont. Vivian Parker (Conservation Chair, Shasta Chapter CNPS) is Biologist and Resource Policy Analyst for the California Indian Basketweavers Association. Sue Rosenthal is program chair for East Bay CNPS, and board member of the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Berkeley. Marjorie G. Schmidt (1905-1989) is the author of Grow- ing California Native Plants and was a frequent contributor of Fremontia horticultural articles.

Allan A. Schoenherr is author of A Natural History of Cali- Postage U.S.

Nonprofit Org. Nonprofit Permit # 3729 # Permit

fornia and Professor of Ecology at Fullerton College. CA Oakland, PAID

Fremontia Editorial Advisory Board Ann Bradley; Travis Columbus; Susan D’Alcamo-Potter; Ellen Dean; Kathleen Dickey; Phyllis M. Faber; Bart O’Brien; John Sawyer; Jim Shevock; Teresa Sholars; Nevin Smith; Dieter Wilken; John Willoughby; Darrell Wright 40 FREMONTIA VOLUME 29:1, JANUARY 2001