In Search of California Wildflowers
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V O L 3 7 / N O 1 J A N U A R Y – M AR C H 2 0 0 7 CALIFORNIA N ATIVE PLANT SO C IETY BUllETIN wildflowers are at the southern end of the In Search of California Wildflowers park, and up through the center among Something—I suppose it is really just plain curiosity—thrusts me off my hillside early every spring, stands of unique and threatened cismon- after a winter which was to have been so nice and long and which has turned out to be so desperately tane juniper woodland. short. In February, just when my own garden is beginning to look its prettiest, off I go again chasing In the south one finds Fritillaria biflora, flowers, wandering all over California and not coming home to stay until late in the autumn. Zigadenus fremontii, Sanicula bipinnatifida, —Lester Rowntree, Flowering Shrubs of California and Their Value to the Gardener (1948) Lomatium dasycarpum, Lasthenia coro- naria, Leptosiphon dianthiflora, Chorizanthe BY BARBARA EISENSTEIN polygonoides var. longispina, Delphinium parryi, and most special, Allium munzii hough most of us do not (Munz’s onion), a Riverside County abandon all responsibili- endemic, and a federal and state T ties for months at a time to listed endangered species. The juniper drive, walk, and ride a burro through woodlands have many annuals includ- the mountains, valleys, and deserts of ing Camissonia bistorta, C. graciliflora, California, as Lester Rowntree did, and Leptosiphon lemmonii. the attraction of spring wildflowers Liebre Mountain is a long ridge sends many out into our ever dimin- situated between Santa Clarita and ishing wildlands. Valencia on the south, I-5 on the Finding wildflower sites has become west, and the westernmost end of something of a sport. Information is the Antelope Valley/Mojave Desert shared on hotlines and websites. (For on the north. In addition to masses of a list, go to www.rsabg.org.) California’s California poppies, one can see huge Wild Gardens, A Guide to Favorite Bo- stands of Coreopsis bigelovii, Salvia tanical Sites, edited by Phyllis Faber, is columbariae, Salvia carduacea, Layia another excellent source of outstand- glandulosa, Plagiobothrys nothofulvus, ing wildflower sites. and Amsinckia menziesii, as well as In this article, five leading Cali- perennial lupines and other goodies. fornia native plant aficionados share their favorite wildflower places not STEVE EDWARDS, RegIONAL PARKS listed in Faber’s book. Their descrip- BOTANIC GARDEN: tions convey a love and appreciation Spectacular flaming fields of annual wild- Two great wildflower spots are of California’s native flora. flowers in Antelope Valley, following in the San Antonio Valley. The first, in the March miracle rains of 1991. Flowers Santa Clara County behind Mt. Hamilton, include: California poppies (Eschscholzia FAVORITE PLACES californica)–orange, desert coreopsis (Co- in good years has the best displays of field STEVE BOYD, RANCHO SANTA ANA reopsis bigelovii)–yellow, and globe gilia wildflowers in the nine bay area counties. (Gilia capitata)–blue. Photo: Bart O’Brien BOTANIC GARDEN: The fields vary tremendously and unpre- There are many places that qualify, southern flank and the crest of Liebre dictably in species composition from season but two of particular interest are Harford Mountain. to season, so one can never say, “I’ve seen Springs County Park in the Gavilan Harford Springs County Park is most it.” There are many rare and endangered Hills, western Riverside County, and easily accessed off Gavilan Road from plants close to the roads leading away from Liebre Mountains, particularly the Cajalco Expressway. However, the best (continued on page 6) CALIFORNIA N ATIVE PLANT SO C IETY • V O L 3 7 / N O 1 J A N U A R Y – M AR C H 2 0 0 7 From the Executive Director: A More Strategic Approach to Conservation n the process of these decisions are made without good 2006 Conservation Conference was our of revising plant science and effective conservation first step in addressing this priority. JeffreyJorgenson Iand updating planning at the state and regional levels. As we continue to develop ways to the scope of the CNPS Conservation Pro- As a result, the needs of unique habitats increase the skills of our volunteers, the gram, I realized that CNPS now needs a and species that often define California’s Conservation Program is identifying more strategic approach to its conservation natural environments are not adequately regional priorities on which to focus our efforts. We need to identify key habitats considered. research and conservation actions. The and priority areas, integrate our programs Science-based conservation planning at conservation of vernal pool systems and better, strengthen collaboration between a regional scale is essential to promote land- grasslands is one area to which we have state CNPS programs and the chapters, use policies that protect native species and turned our attention. In doing so, our foster collaboration among chapters, and natural ecosystems. Developing tools and intention is to engage in conservation establish strategic partnerships with other information to assist our volunteer base to planning in these critical habitats and institutions. This synergy will increase our participate in regional planning at the lo- develop strategic alliances with other ability statewide to conserve native plants cal level was one of the priorities identified institutions. Such actions will help us be and their ecosystems. during the visioning effort undertaken by more effective in the long-term. T We know that a large proportion of land the Conservation Program in 2004–2005. Amanda Jorgenson management decisions are made by local Our focus on regional planning at the Executive Director governments in response to their individual needs and resources. Unfortunately, many Sierra Nevada Victory! CALIFORNIA NATIVE PL ANT SOC IETY he Cottonwood Project on the Tahoe National Forest and the Larson Project on 2707 K Street, Suite 1 Sacramento, CA 95816-5113 the Stanislaus National Forest (see CNPS Bulletin, Vol. 35, No. 4, p. 5) are currently on hold, thanks to a recent court ruling that will affect Forest Service proposals Phone: 916-447-2677 T Fax: 916-447-2727 T Email: [email protected] throughout the Sierra Nevada. The two projects were the object of lawsuits brought by a Website: www.cnps.org broad coalition of conservation partners throughout the state, including CNPS. Bulletin Email: [email protected] At issue is the widespread spraying of herbicides to kill native post-fire plant com- Amanda Jorgenson, Executive Director munities, in order to hasten the growth of commercial timber. At least six different rare BOA RD OF D IREC TORS FOR 2 0 07 species of wildflowers (CNPS List 1B) occur in the projects, which together cover 18,000 Brad Jenkins, President acres of public lands. Sue Britting, Vice President In June, the Forest Service requested that the court hold both projects in abeyance pending Steve Hartman, Treasurer the outcome of a Ninth Circuit appeals court review of another case, brought by Earth Island Lynn Houser, Secretary Institute and the Center for Biological Diversity. AT- LARGE M E MB ERS In that case, the Forest Service had failed to com- Charli Danielsen, Dave Flietner, ply with the requirements of the Sierra Framework Diana Hickson, Arvind Kumar, David Magney, J. Spence McIntyre forest plan, which requires regular population monitoring of key species, called “management C H A P TE R COU NC IL indicator species” (MIS), a practice CNPS strongly Jim Bishop, Chair, Larry Levine, Vice-Chair, supports. This was also a significant issue in the Sarah Jayne, Secretary Cottonwood and Larson cases. We applaud the court’s decision and celebrate C N PS BULLETIN Bob Hass, Editor this victory—and the protection of these beauti- VivianParker Sierra Valley ivesia (Ivesia aperta var. Lisa Roth, Design ful and biologically rich native forest lands. T aperta), a CNPS 1B wildflower, occurs Ileene Anderson, Sue Britting, Vivian Parker, Conservation Coordinator in the Cottonwood Project area in the Arvind Kumar, Proofreaders Sierra Nevada National Forests Tahoe National Forest. P A G E 2 CALIFORNIA N ATIVE PLANT SO C IETY • V O L 3 7 / N O 1 J A N U A R Y – M AR C H 2 0 0 7 Guest Editorial Chapter Council Plays Key Role in CNPS Catie BishopCatie he CNPS terly Chapter Council meetings know that policy on GMOs, prioritizing conserva- Chapter the day is long and the agenda very full, tion needs in California, and whatever TCouncil because that’s when the Council handles other issues chapters or individuals may represents the chapters and members in most of its work. Deliberations can be bring to the council for consideration. CNPS, and provides overall direction time-consuming and ponderous. But All members of CNPS are welcome to for our organization. The council in- that is the nature of democracy within participate in Chapter Council meetings. cludes one delegate from each chapter, CNPS. True democracy is never tidy and Only delegates can vote, but any member plus the chair, vice-chair, secretary, and rarely efficient, but more important than can enrich and influence the discussion. two representatives to the CNPS Board “expedience” is that it be diverse, repre- Those present become engrossed in and of Directors. It elects the board, amends sentative, and therefore healthy. benefit from the good conversations, and the bylaws of the Society, and develops Currently the Chapter Council has the sharing of information and materials. policies and priorities that relate to plants. been considering four major issues, in- The people who take part are caring, the (Issues related to personnel and finance cluding a policy on how herbicides should issues are interesting, and the meetings are handled by the board.) Very impor- be used, hosting a major scientific confer- provide numerous opportunities to learn tantly, the council is the forum that en- ence, initiatives to encourage interest in and to contribute.