© Project SOUND

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants Project SOUND - 2010

© Project SOUND

The Name Game:

Taxonomy, Local

& Island Endemic Plants

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve

March 6th & 9th, 2010

© Project SOUND

What’s in a name?

Common names

Are the names that most gardener’s (and others) use

Developed from common use, over time

Often describe some distinctive feature of the plant - or where it came from

Problems with common names:

The same name may be used to describe several, very different plants

Do not imply any relationship between plants – loss of important information

Catalina Snapdragon

Gambelia (Galvezia) speciosa

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Scientific names Scientific names were developed to

get around some of the limitations of common names

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778)

Swedish botanist and physician

Considered the “father” of modern taxonomy

Was a keen observer of plants

Described nature as a Divinely-inspired harmonious system in which every organism fulfills a specific role to maintain the general balance

Named approximately 4,400 species of animals and 7,700 species of plants.

Was the first to consistently use a binomial system of classification, giving organisms a one-word general name (called the genus) associated with a one-word specific epithet.

http://www.library.otago.ac.nz/exhibitions/linnaeus/walls/wall_linnaeus.jpg

His many publications encouraged the standardization of binomial nomenclature

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What’s in a name? Taxonomy: the systematic

study and classification of plants and animals

‘Artificial’ (for convenient ‘pigeon-hole’ing)

‘Natural’ (reflecting underlying biologic/evolutionary connections)

Linnaean taxonomy was actually an ‘artificial’ system – but he was an excellent observer, so it did reflect natural connections (ie, things that are genetically related often tend to share physical (morphologic) traits)

True ‘Natural’ systematics required 1) better microscopes; 2) increasing interest in plant morphology; 3) an understanding of the concept of species & evolution – e.g., Charles Darwin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species_Plantarum

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Charles Darwin and ‘The

Origin of Species’

Insights:

The environment shapes which individuals survive & pass on their genetic material (genes)

Given enough time, new species can arise from ancestral ones

There are true biologic relationships – in the past – between some species.

You can determine these relationships through studying similarities and differences

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Plant Systematics: the interrelationship

between ‘natural’ taxonomy, evolution and

phylogeny

http://www.anbg.gov.au/asbs/newsletter/book-review-74a-a.gif

http://www.alonnissos.org/page9/files/taxonomy%20tree.jpg

© Project SOUND

The scientific name

Ideally, a new species is given a formal, scientific name

The generic name is listed first (with its first letter capitalized), followed by a second term, the specific name (or specific epithet)

International Code of Botanical Nomenclature – specifies the format and conventions

U.S. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) - facilitates sharing biologic info. by providing a common framework for taxonomic data

Sometimes regional experts don’t agree with ITIS

Catalina Snapdragon

Gambelia speciosa Nutt.

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Kingdom Plantae – Plants Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons Subclass Asteridae Order Scrophulariales Family Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family Genus Gambelia Nutt. – greenbright Species Gambelia speciosa Nutt. – showy greenbright

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What is a species?

Some definitions of species

Biological Species Concept - they cannot interbreed & produce viable offspring; interbreeding studies

Morphospecies Concept - they are different morphologically and do not come in contact for interbreeding

Genetic Species Concept – still working on this – how similar must they be to constitute a species?

Practical definition - Practically, biologists define species as populations of organisms that have a high level of genetic similarity.

The field of taxonomy is changing with our increasingly sophisticated tools

Lyonothamnus floribundus

ssp. aspleniifolius

Lyonothamnus floribundus

ssp. floribundus

© Project SOUND

How do species arise/develop? How

does this relate to island species?

Speciation: The evolutionary formation of new biological species, usually by the division of a single species into two or more genetically distinct ones.

Allopatric Speciation -- speciation occurs in geographic isolation

Founder Effect Speciation -- a special kind of allopatric speciation in a small isolated population on the edge of a species range

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The Channel Islands of California are

unique places

The four Southern Channel Islands are San Nicolas, Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, and San Clemente.

Catalina - 26 miles & in many ways our closest neighbor

San Clemente – 49 miles – a bit more distant in several ways

http://www.channelislandsrestoration.com/sci/endemics.htm

© Project SOUND

Channel Islands – magical places that some people never want to leave

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jensenl/visuals/album/2006/catalina/IMG_1349.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www-

personal.umich.edu/~jensenl/visuals/album/2006/catalina/&usg=__z0Gzu8ecXJHx5dzfWJdpegGFwQM=&h=500&w=800&sz=158&hl=en&start=280&itbs=1&tbnid=NQDkmxmRitZD3M:&tbnh=89&tbnw=143&prev=

/images%3Fq%3Dcatalina%2Bisland%2Bcalifornia%26start%3D270%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D18%26tbs%3Disch:1

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The Tongva people lived on Catalina Island for over 7,000 years.

http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/catalina/ http://www.laurelcanyon.org/Images

/EarlyPhotos/TongvaCanoeEtching.j

pg

Traveling by ti-at

© Project SOUND

What is unique about islands?

Separated from the mainland by water Sometimes for

great distances Sometimes for

long periods

May have different climate

Moister – more fog and rain

Warmer – insulated by ocean

http://www.catalinachamber.com/images/Photos/High/CatalinaIslandWest.jpg

http://www.uptake.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/channelislandsca1.jpg

© Project SOUND

What is unique about islands?

May have unusual/steep terrain – are really mountain peaks

May have different rocks & soils from mainland

May have limited area Limits the number of species & individuals

Increases the effects of human interventions

http://www.synergygis.com/geog/rs/images/Catalina_CA_USGS_DEM_Overview.jpg

© Project SOUND

What is unique about islands?

Often have unique flora and fauna – and fauna may effect flora. Example: plants may not be subject to certain diseases or to large herbivores (sheep)

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Some species are endemic to Catalina

Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. floribundus 20,000 years ago, this unique sub-species of ironwood tree grew abundantly on the mainland. Now, this tree exists nowhere else in the world but Catalina.

Cercocarpus traskiae The rarest of the Catalina endemics. Only seven of these small shrubs or trees occur naturally in a single canyon.

Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum Grows on dry, rocky slopes throughout Catalina's interior. Changes with the seasons - from white in the spring, to beige, light brown, then deep russet in the fall

.

© 2006 BonTerra Consulting

© Project SOUND

Also endemic to Catalina

Dudleya hassei The only Catalina endemic which is a succulent. Look for it on the slope at the foot of the Wrigley Memorial.

Arctostaphylos catalinae When the manzanita fruit ripens, its color resembles the brilliant wine-red bark - and the ground squirrels love it.

Galium catalinense ssp. catalinense A perennial herb found mostly on rocky outcroppings on the lee side of Catalina.

http://www.uncledougs.com/Dudleya_hassei.jpg

© Project SOUND

Other common Catalina plants are more widely

distributed…including on the mainland

Heteromeles arbutifolia - Toyon

Rhus integrifolia – Lemonadeberry

Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii This sub-species is a Catalina endemic.

Ribes viburnifolium Used in landscaping as a native ground cover for shady areas. Extremely fragrant. Grows in San Diego Co. as well as on Catalina

Eriodictyon traskiae This evergreen shrub has a pungent fragrance and sprawling growth habit. Yerba Santa occurs on Catalina and in coastal Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties.

Solanum wallacei A member of the deadly nightshade family, the Wild Tomato also occurs on other Channel Islands and Guadalupe, off the coast of Mexico.

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/prunus-lyonii

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Catalina Ceanothus - Ceanothus arboreus

Native to Catalina. Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz & Guadalupe Islands

Source of many commercial cultivars – ‘Ray Hartmen’ is C. arboreus X C. griseus hybrid

http://www.channelislandsrestoration.com/sci/endemics.htm

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Big-pod Ceanothus – Ceanothus megacarpus

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Big-pod Ceanothus – Ceanothus megacarpus

http://www.calflora.net/recentfieldtrips/upperzumacanyon09.html

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Big-pod Ceanothus – Ceanothus megacarpus

var. insularis

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Ceanothus+megacarpus+var.+insularis

var. megacarpus

Coast of S. CA from Santa Barbara to San Diego Co. – CA endemic var. insularis – Channel

Isl. (Catalina & San Clemente in south)

var. megacarpus – mainland (Santa Monica Mtns our nearest)

Dry, chaparral slopes below 2000 ft.

© Project SOUND

var. insularis

Sometimes a bit shorter

Leaves opposite and slightly larger

Grows on most of the Channel Islands

http://www.channelislandsrestoration.com/sci/endemics.htm

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences

© Project SOUND

var. megacarpus

May be slightly larger

Leaves, generally alternate and slightly smaller

Grows on the mainland

??? Other, as yet unknown differences (chemicals; disease resistance; heat resistance; etc)

In Santa Monica Mountains

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adenostoma_sprsifolium_and_Ceanothus_megacarpus.jpg

© 2001 CDFA

© Project SOUND

Characteristics of Big-pod Ceanothus

Size: 4-16 ft tall

8-10 ft wide

Growth form: Upright (more common) or

sprawling woody shrub

Compact & dense

Young bark reddish

Foliage: Simple leaves – rounded to

wedge-like – typical Ceanothus leaves

Leaves are upright on branches

Roots: shallow; not basal burl, so no re-sprouting after fire

http://www.calflora.net/recentfieldtrips/upperzumacanyon09.html

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Project SOUND

‘Covered with snow-like flowers’

Blooms: In winter to early spring; usually

Jan.-March

Bloom period - weeks

Flowers: Clusters of small flowers

Petals white to slightly pink or purple

Dark purple center

Fruits: Lumpy spherical capsule

Red-green & sticky

In three parts; each part holds a seed

http://www.calflora.net/recentfieldtrips/upperzumacanyon09.html

© 2009 Gary A. Monroe

© Project SOUND

Why the ‘soapy’

flowers?

Ceanothus flowers (& sometimes leaves) were used to make a mild soap or shampoo – preferred soap for washing babies

Rub the flowers in warm water – get a soapy, nice-smelling froth

Why? saponins - plants that contain quite high concentrations of saponins have often been used as an alternative soap.

Other examples – CA natives: Soap Lily (Chlorogalum

pomeridianum) roots Yucca roots Mock Orange (Philadelphus

lewisii) flowers & leaves

http://www.fotolog.com/treebeard/56541746

© Project SOUND

Big-pod Ceanothus

reproduces by stored seeds

Cannot reproduce by re-sprouting after a fire – relies on seeds stored in the ‘natural mulch’ (duff) - ~ 2 million seeds/acre

Seed pods burst open, flinging the heavy seeds

Seeds have thick, tough seed coat – can lie in waiting for years (probably hundreds of years)

Ceanothus seeds only germinate in response to range fires and forest fires in the wild.

http://www.hazmac.biz/seedphotoslistgenus.html

© Project SOUND

Big-pod Ceanothus

is a chaparral shrub Soils:

Texture: rocky or sandy best – needs well-drained soil

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to light shade

Benefits from afternoon shade in hot inland gardens

Water: Winter: needs good winter

rains

Summer: low needs – Zone 1-2 (water very infrequently, if at all, once established)

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils; likes an organic mulch

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3275037528_782b3c6c8f.jpg?v=0

© Project SOUND

Big-pod Ceanothus – spectacular

in bloom, pretty the rest of the

year

Nice as an informal hedge – or include it in a hedgerow

Can prune to shape into a small tree

In a chaparral-themed garden

Anywhere you need a large, water-wise shrub

As a habitat plant - CA Hairstreak, Green Hairstreak larval food

http://www.ssseeds.com/database/db_testvv.php3?uid=103

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Project SOUND

Big-pod Ceanothus teaches us 5

things about S. CA island

species

1. Sometimes the same species is found on both the islands and on the mainland

2. Variants are similar enough to be grouped in the same species – yet different enough to be considered the different variants.

3. Differences between variants can reflect the fact that the variants have not interbred for some time (have ‘drifted’ apart); alternatively the ‘founder’ plants could have differed from the original (usually mainland) population in significant ways

4. Taxonomy based on morphologic (physical) traits can be difficult – what’s important?

5. Sometimes it makes sense to preserve variants – particularly those from unusual sites. They may have important differences that we don’t even know about

http://www.calliebowdish.com/SBPlaces.htm

© Project SOUND

Blair's Wire-lettuce – Stephanomeria (Munzothamnus) blairii

Donald Myrick © California Academy of Sciences

© Project SOUND

Blair's Wire-lettuce – Stephanomeria (Munzothamnus) blairii

Endemic to San Clemente Island

Rocky canyon walls in island bluff scrub

The only problem is, what genus does it belong in?

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,1868,1869

© Project SOUND

Stephanomeria/Munzothamnus blairii

When a species is named, it is placed within a genus. From a scientific point of view this can be regarded as a hypothesis that the species is more closely related to other species within its genus – may change with new information

© Project SOUND

What is the appropriate genus?

Has been placed in several taxonomic homes.

Initially placed in Stephanomeria;

Transferred to Malacothrix (P. Munz 1935).

P. H. Raven (1963) considered it "clearly a relictual and highly isolated genus," based on leaf shape & vegetative architecture, which are significantly distinct from those found in any species of Stephanomeria or Malacothrix. He erected Munzothamnus for it. Recent genetic studies suggest he may be correct – not similar to Stephanomeria

Others emphasized similarities to Stephanomeria - concluded that the species belongs in Stephanomeria (G. L. Stebbins et al. 1953). : similar number/appearance of chromosomes certain similarities between their pappi

(number and "coarseness") pollen size and sculpturing

Malacothrix – Cliff Aster

Stephanomeria – Wire-lettuce

© Project SOUND

Blair’s wire-lettuce/Munzothamnus - attractive sub-shrub

Size: 2-4 ft tall

3-4 ft wide

Growth form: Sub-shrub with woody base and

herbaceous new growth

Semi-evergreen (stress deciduous)

Stems thick & fleshy

Foliage: Bright to medium-green leaves

– medium size

Mostly clustered at the base or at ends of branches

Quite attractive, even when not blooming

© Rick York and CNPS

© Project SOUND

Flowers are lovely

Blooms: In summer - usually July-Aug,

but possible into Sept.

Flowers open over several weeks

Flowers: Aster-like (or Wire-lettuce-like)

heads

Lovely pale pink or purple – nice, old-fashioned color

Nectar attracts hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other

insects

Seeds: Small, sunflower-type

Seed-eating birds love them

Robert Potts © California Academy of Sciences

© 2005 Dieter Wilken

© Project SOUND

Likes a coastal climate Soils: Texture: sandy or rocky,

well-drained soils

pH: any local

Light: Full sun to part-sun; suggest

some afternoon shade in hot gardens

Water: Winter: needs good winter

rains – starts to grow with the rains

Summer: wide tolerance: quite dry (Zone 1-2) to Zone 2 (possibly even 2-3 in sandy soils)

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

http://www.theodorepayne.org/gallery/pages/S/stephanomeria_blairii.htm

© Project SOUND

Blair’s Munzothamnus is a

nice flowering perennial

Has not been used much in gardens due to rarity.

Lovely in an old-fashioned mixed native perennial bed. Looks like an English garden plant.

Try with Cirsium occidentale, Delphinium cardinale, Mimulus aurantiacus, Eriophyllum nevinii (another island endemic)

Does fine in a large pot (at least for several years)

Flowers make nice cut flowers

© 2005 Dieter Wilken

Also a good habitat plant

© Project SOUND

Why do names keep changing?

Traditionally, researchers relied on observations of anatomical differences and interbreeding studies to distinguish species. This information is still used in helping to define species.

Thanks to advances in research

techniques, including DNA analysis, a great deal of additional knowledge about the differences and similarities between species has become available in the last few decades.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Ehret-Methodus_Plantarum_Sexualis.jpg

© Project SOUND

Why do names keep changing?

Many populations which were formerly regarded as separate species are now considered to be a single taxon, and many formerly grouped populations have been split.

Any taxonomic level (species, genus, family, etc.) can be synonymized or split, and at higher taxonomic levels, these revisions have been still more profound.

Lump with Stephanomeria or

does it deserve its own

genus?

© Project SOUND

Lessons from Stephanomeria/Munzothamnus blairii

1. Island species can be very different from local mainland species

2. Taxonomists can disagree – and often do so over time

3. New scientific tools can change the classification of a plant

a. Scanning electron microscope – seed & pollen details

b. Molecular genetics (DNA analysis) – can look for similarities in actual genetic code; allows construction of genetic trees that may be closer to the actual course of evolution

4. Taxonomic classifications are becoming more ‘natural’ over time (reflect underlying biology/evolution). This can be frustrating for the gardener, but invaluable for our understanding of plants. © Rick York and CNPS

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Catalina Island Mountain Mahogony – Cercocarpus traskiae

http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/CPC_ProfileImage.asp?FN=872b

© Project SOUND

Catalina Island Mountain Mahogony – Cercocarpus traskiae

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?6677,6695,6705

A single population in an arroyo on Santa Catalina Island

Slopes of a steep-sided, narrow, dry arroyo in a coastal sage scrub community

Named in honor of Blanch Trask naturalist – 1865-1916

On both U.S. and CA Endangered Species lists

© Project SOUND

Catalina Mountain Mahogany

Size: 10-15 ft tall

8-12+ ft wide

Growth form: Large evergreen shrub or

small tree

Branches erect to spreading

Long-lived

Foliage: Leaves leathery, shiny above

and wooly beneath

Very prominent lateral veins beneath – very different from Island Mountain Mahogany C. betuloides

© 1993 Dean Wm. Taylor

http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/collection/CPC_ProfileImage.asp?FN=872b

© Project SOUND

Threats to endemic ‘Island’ plant species

Large introduced herbivores have historically altered the flora and the landscape of Santa Catalina, San Clemente & other Channel Islands.

Goats, pigs, bison, and deer were noted at the time of listing of C. traskiae as a threatened species. The small size of the current C. traskiae population is attributed to the historical presence of goats, deer, and pigs

Invasive non-native plants pose as increasing threat now & in the future – increase fire threat

Threat of hybridization – ‘genetic assimilation’

Threat of limited genetic diversity – sometimes a small population becomes too inbred to be able to survive

© Project SOUND

The problem of hybridization:

can be insidious.

Cercocarpus traskiae has hybridized locally with C. betuloides var. blancheae, which also occurs naturally on the island.

The hybrids have been characterized morphologically as well as by enzyme (allozyme) and DNA differences.

Morphological assessments of hybridization have not always agreed with the genetic results

Bottom line: only six genetically “pure” Cercocarpus traskiae trees in existance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cercocarpustraskiae.JPG

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplan

ts/islandmountainmahogany.html

© Project SOUND

What makes a species susceptible to genetic

assimilation? Cercocarpus traskiae is a case study

Small number of individuals compared to other local species

Ability to hybridize with local species – and close geographic proximity to those

Low genetic diversity – may limit reproduction within the species

Low geographic diversity/lack of space – common problem for Channel Island species

Invasion by species with hybridization potential

© Project SOUND

Management strategies for

endangered plant species

Remove species that may hybridize with the desired species

Remove other pressures to reproduction – e.g. herbivores that eat seedlings, other stressors – protect the remaining individuals as source plants

+/- Remove hybrid plants/seedlings

Save seeds – long-term storage

Vegetative propagation to create more individuals

Plant out in appropriate sites: Local area Otherwise appropriate conditions No potential hybridizing species

© Project SOUND

What genetic resources should we conserve

(and why)? For aesthetic/moral reasons

Because we don’t know all the ‘services’ provided by individual species (medicines; habitat value; etc)

Because more diversity means more likely that species will survive changing conditions – in the near future

Loss of species uniquely adapted to certain conditions – we may need those genes sometime

Outbreeding/hybridization depression

Probably other reasons – need to study more

http://www.hazmac.biz/090218/090218Cercocarp

usTraskiae.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/sets/72157604510160123/

© Project SOUND

Nevin’s Gilia – Gilia nevinii

© Project SOUND

Nevin’s Gilia – Gilia nevinii

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Gilia+nevinii

Endemic to the Channel Islands – specifically Catalina & San Clemente Islands and Isla Guadalupe (Baja)

Uncommon in nature

Grows on rocky, grassy slopes, coastal canyons in coastal shrublands & CSS

Named after the Reverand Joseph Cook Nevin (1835-1913), of Los Angeles, a brilliant linguist and botanical collector, one of the first to collect on Catalina Island

© Project SOUND

San Clemente Island

© Project SOUND

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tierradata.com/photocorecapweb1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tierradata.com/corecapweboutreach.htm&usg=_

_am3z-EUbQKb3KDDSYghnFbRg9ww=&h=400&w=294&sz=22&hl=en&start=27&itbs=1&tbnid=cjb-

xVNWpVZ78M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=91&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsan%2Bclemente%2Bisland%2Bcalifornia%26start%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2

%26ndsp%3D18%26tbs%3Disch:1

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072402466/student_view0/chapter18/virtual_vista.html

49 miles from the mainland

© Project SOUND

Sheep, goats and

naval artillery

Since 1934 the U.S. Navy has administered San Clemente Island.

Their objective in the 1970's was to re-establish the native ecosystem as much as possible.

This included the removal of feral goats - the last goat was exterminated in April 1991.

© Project SOUND

Many plants endemic to San Clemente Island

Brodiase kinkiensis Triteleia clementina Erigonum giganteum formosum Delphiniam kinkiense Delphinum variedatum thornei Lithophragma maximum Astragalus nevinii Lotus argophyllus adsurgens Lotus dendroideus traskiae Malcothammus clementinus Camissonia guagalupoensis

clementina Castilleja grisea Galium catalinense acrispum Munzothammus blairii Probabaly others

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/earth/usa/clemente-cliff-browse.jpg

http://abdulazeem.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/WindowsLiveWriter/ConsequencesOfPola

riceMeltingRisingSeale_E394/clip_image006%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg

© Project SOUND

Nevin’s Gilia - pretty little plant that’s tougher than it looks

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Project SOUND

The genus Gilia

~ 25-50 species of flowering plants - family Polemoniaceae

Temperate/tropical regions of the Americas, from the western U.S. to northern Chile

Occur mainly in desert/dry areas.

Herbaceous annual, rarely perennial

The leaves are spirally arranged, usually pinnate (rarely simple), forming a basal rosette in most species.

The flowers are produced in a panicle, with a five-lobed corolla, which can be blue, white, pink or yellow.

Gilia species are larval food plant for some species of moths

Globe Gilia – G. capitata

Bird’s-eye Gilia – G. tricolor

© Project SOUND

Nevin’s Gilia reminds one of Bird’s-eye Gilia

Size: 6-20+ inches tall & about

as wide; size depends on water

Growth form: Herbaceous annual

May be upright or sprawling – depends on conditions

Delicate-looking

Foliage: Leaves lacy, fern-like,

somewhat basal – similar to Bird’s-eye Gilia

Easy to grow from seed

© Project SOUND

Gilias are all easy-to-grow

annual wildflowers Soils:

Texture: any

pH: any local

Light: Sun; perfectly fine with ½

day of sun

Water: Winter: needs good

winter/spring water – delicate when young

Summer: none after flowering ceases

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: will reseed- not as abundantly as Globe Gilia

© Project SOUND

Flowers are sweetly

old-fashioned

Blooms: In spring - usually Mar-May here

Long bloom period – at least a month

Flowers: Loads of lavender trumpets with

blue anthers – no yellow or white on throat

Just lovely

http://www.answers.com/topic/dudleya

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Bird’s-eye Gila

for comparison

© Project SOUND

Garden uses for

native Gilias

As a cute little pot plant – place it near where you sit so you can enjoy it

Massed in the front of a flower bed

Mixed with other native grasses & wildflowers

Nevin’s Gila - in an ‘Island-themed’ garden;

© Project SOUND

The connection between the Channel Islands,

mainland mountains and the Palos Verdes peninsula

Some rocks (Catalina schist) found in only 2 places – Catalina & PV

Some rocks (Poway Conglomerate – derived from ancient Poway River rocks) are found in neither place – but are on other Channel Islands

So, what’s going on here?

© Project SOUND

The earth’s crust is made up of giant plates

New molten rock is constantly being added in deep oceanic trenches – as a result, the plates collide and ride over one another.

© Project SOUND

The connection between S. Channel

Islands and mainland mountains

The North American West Coast illustrates some of the complex geology that develops along a plate boundary.

The original source of rocks in our mountain ranges (and Channel Islands) were probably ancient island arcs, similar to perhaps Japan or the Philippines.

These original island arcs were the high points (‘mountains’) of the Pacific Plate

http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/fragile_habitats/geo_of_Ca.html

© Project SOUND

Coastal mountains were formed as the Pacific

Plate moved under the N. Amer. Plate

The high areas (original islands) were compressed and ‘scraped off’ as the Pacific Plate moved under the N. American Plate

The whole area, was extensively faulted, folded, uplifted and eroded to form the current S. CA coastal topography.

© Project SOUND

Why the connection between S. Channel

Island and Baja Island species?

About 20 million years ago, the Pacific plate (which is slipping under the N. American Plate) began moving NW compared to the N. American Plate

This resulted in the formation of the San Andreas fault, among other things

http://www.geol.ucsb.edu/faculty/atwater/Research/SOCAL.pdf

© Project SOUND

Geologically, there are likely 3 ‘Island

Clusters’ off the coast of S. CA

Northern Channel Islands/Santa Monica Mountains

Catalina/PV/?? Santa Ana Mountains

San Clemente/San Nicolas/Isla Guadalupe (Baja)

Move 120-160 km to the NW – or even more.

So San Clemente Island was probably really was once off the coast of Baja – shared geology at the very least!

Of course other factors have also played a role in the intervening time

© Project SOUND

Giant Coreopsis – Coreopsis gigantea

© Project SOUND

Giant Coreopsis – Coreopsis gigantea

Alice Eastwood - May 12 1896 - Pt.

Sal Pt. Sal (near the boundary

between Santa Barbara and San

Luis Obispo Counties)

South-Central Coast, north & central parts of South Coast, Channel Islands (all)

On mainland, limited to a few peninsulas right on the coast

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,1008,1013

© Project SOUND On Anacapa Island

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anacapa-Island-Coreopsis.jpg

© Project SOUND

Like something dreamed up by Dr. Seuss…

Size: 2-6 ft tall; rarely 8-10 ft in wild

2-3 ft wide

Growth form: Perennial sub-shrub; base is woody

Trunk is succulent; secondary woodiness

drought deciduous – drops all leaves in summer. Looks like a weird sculpture

Foliage: Bright green in spring

Typical, lacy leaves of coreopsis

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2008/04/coreopsis_gigantea.php

© Project SOUND

? Is Giant Coreopsis ‘giant’ because of

mild island climates?

Islands have milder climates – less likely to experience frosts – surrounded by water

Herbaceous plants which typically die back from cold on mainland areas are released from seasonality when they become island colonizers.

In Mediterranean climates (hot dry summers) plants that store water (succulents) have a survival advantage – but they are limited in size by winter frosts.

Plants which are normally succulent may develop secondary woodiness in areas with little frost. This is seen on islands in dry regions throughout the world.

Is Coreopsis gigantea, a much larger plant than other native species of Coreopsis, ‘giant’ because it grows in ‘frost-free zones’ (Channel Islands and a few restricted sites on the mainland)?

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/giantcoreo

psis.html

© 2006 Steve Matson

© Project SOUND

Flowers are a bright spot in spring

Blooms: Late winter to mid-spring - usually

March-April in local gardens

Flowers: Typical yellow Coreopsis heads –

intense gold-yellow, 3” across

Held on thin flower stalks above the bright green foliage – really striking

Bee pollinated

Seeds: Sunflower seeds; loved by birds

Vegetative reproduction: can start from pieces of broken stems

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Coreopsis_gigantea

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: well-drained, sandy soils are best

pH: any local

Fine with salt/maritime exposure

Light: full sun

Water: Winter: be careful not to

over-water in winter

Summer: quite drought-tolerant, but in nature gets summer mists; Zone 1-2

Fertilizer: fine in garden soils

Other: not frost-hardy; best along coast where danger of frost is minimal.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Coreopsis_gigantea

© Project SOUND

Giant Coreopsis adds and unusual

note to the coastal garden

As an unusual pot plant

As a specimen plant (most common use)

In a border

In a Channel Island themed garden

On sunny coastal hillsides/ slopes

Along pathways

http://www.anniesannuals.com/special_pgs/pom/0610/default.asp?account=none

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/451543125_a1f4bb7a09.jpg

© Project SOUND

Mission Manzanita – Xylococcus bicolor

http://www.cnpssd.org/plantlistpdfs/xylococcusbicolor.pdf

© Project SOUND

Mission Manzanita – Xylococcus bicolor

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3449,3616,3617

Local endemic: S. CA coastal region from L.A. to San Diego counties, Catalina Island

Hot, dry slopes, chaparral < 2000 ft. elevation

Grows on the slopes above Sunland

© Project SOUND

What is this plant, anyway?

‘At first, I couldn't figure out what it was - it had the beautiful reddish-brown twisted bark reminiscent of a Manzanita, but it also had these odd, leathery, elliptical-shaped leaves that were sort of curled or rolled under, and a profusion of little black berries. I was stumped - was this some kind of manzanita-ceanothus-oak-elderberry experiment gone wrong?’

Originally called Arctostaphylos clevelandii, part of the manzanita and bearberry genus. Name was changed to Arctostaphylos bicolor in 1923, then to Xylococcus bicolor in 1974.

© 2008 Thomas Stoughton

© Project SOUND

Mission Manzanita: ‘Manzanita in hot/dry mode’

Size: 6-10+ ft tall (usually 6-8)

6-10 ft wide

Growth form: Woody shrub

Single or multi-trunk; rounded shape

Red-brown, shreddy bark

Foliage: Similar to Coffeeberry:

leathery/waxy above, wooly beneath

Leaf edges roll in drought

Roots: re-sprouting ability – typical of chaparral plants

http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/plants/sdpls/plants/Xylococcus_bicolor.html

© 2003 Michael Charters

© Project SOUND

Flowers are like their

Manzanita cousins

Blooms: In winter, after rains begin

usually Dec. to Feb.

Flower buds form previous summer – assures quick-flowering

Flowers: Shaped like Manzanita (and

other Heaths);

Flower color may be white, pink to darker pink

Showy in bloom

Excellent hummingbird plant

http://www.kenbowles.net/sdwildflowers/FamilyIndexes/Ericaceae/EricaceaeK

ey.htm

© Project SOUND

Fruits are also showy

Fruits ripen in spring/early summer

Color varies from dark red to almost black

Look like a cross between Manzanita & Coffeeberry fruits

Loved by birds (esp. Thrashers & Jays) and humans alike Can be used to make ‘cider’ type

drink

Make a fine jelly, sauce, syrup – need a lot as fruits is thin-fleshed

Seeds: hard coat – usually sprout after trip through alimentary canal (coyote; Grizzlies) & some heat

© 2003 Michael Charters

© Project SOUND

Easy to grow & maintain Soils:

Texture: any well-drained; sandy & rocky are best, well-drained clays possible (water judiciously)

pH: any local

Light: full sun

Water: Young plants: water regularly

(Zone 2-3) for first 1-2 years

Mature plants: very drought tolerant, but looks best with some summer water (Zone 1-2 to 2 works well)

Fertilizer: none needed; likes a layer of organic mulch

Other: prune as needed or to shape; can prune severely to rejuvenate old plants

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

© Project SOUND

Mission Manzanita thrives on

hot, dry conditions

Nice choice for evergreen shrub – looks good all year with a little summer water

Good choice for informal hedge or included in a water-wise mixed hedgerow

Stars on hot, dry slopes – consider for hot, sunny gardens

Excellent habitat plant

Edible – and showy - berries

© Project SOUND

S. California’s Scrub Oaks

Scrub Oak is a general name for several species of small, shrubby, evergreen oaks, including the following species:

California Scrub Oak (Quercus berberidifolia)

Leather Oak (Quercus durata)

Coastal Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa)

Tucker Oak (Quercus john-tuckeri)

Channel Island Scrub Oak (Quercus pacifica)

Santa Cruz Island Oak (Quercus parvula)

Sonoran Scrub Oak (Quercus turbinella)

© Project SOUND

Channel Island Scrub Oak – Quercus pacifica

© 2001 Tony Morosco

© Project SOUND

Channel Island Scrub Oak – Quercus pacifica

Endemic on three of the California Channel Islands: Santa Cruz, Santa Catalina, and Santa Rosa.

Island Chaparral, woodlands, margins of grasslands

Is a species of concern

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233501070

http://www.channelislandsrestoration.com/sci/endemics.htm http://www.channelislandsrestoration.com/sci/Quercus-pacifica1.htm

© Project SOUND

Channel Isl Scrub Oak: in many ways a typical scrub oak

Size: 6-15 ft tall

10-15 ft wide

Growth form: Large shrub or small tree

Gray, furrowed bark at maturity

Rather dense – heavily branched

Foliage: Medium-sized leathery leaves

Surfaces glandular & waxy

Have star-shaped hairs (trichomes)

larval food for Hairstreaks, Duskywings, CA Sister butterflies

Roots: Both shallow & deep roots

© 2001 Tony Morosco

http://128.253.177.182/taxpage/0/0/79/binomial/Quercus%20pacifica.html

© Project SOUND

Flowers are understated

Blooms: in winter to early spring – usually Jan-Mar

Flowers: Separate male & female

flowers on the same tree

Male flowers on long trailing catkins

Mostly wind pollinated

Seeds: Are acorns

Shorter & lighter than Q. agrifolia; thinner than Q. berberidifolia

© 2005 Dieter Wilken

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Quercus_pacifica

© Project SOUND

Island Oak: not picky Soils: Texture: well-drained soils

pH: any local

Light: full sun

Water: Winter: need adequate

winter/spring rain, particularly for good seed crop

Summer: none or very little; Zone 1 or 1-2 once established

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: leave the leaf litter in place; important for plant health & for ground-dwellers

http://128.253.177.182/taxpage/0/0/79/binomial/Quercus%20pacifica.html

Don’t over-water; susceptible to oak

root rot fungus in the genus Armillaria

© Project SOUND

Scrub Oaks – so

versatile

Excellent on dry slopes, for erosion control

May be appropriate for parking strips

Can bonsai – or trim as a hedge/screen

Superb habitat plant Butterflies

Other insects

Wide range of birds

Provides food, perches, nesting sites (CA Towhee)

© 2001 Tony Morosco

© Project SOUND

What is that scrub oak, anyway?

http://tchester.org/plants/analysis/quercus/scrub_oaks.html

© Project SOUND

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233501070

So where did this oak come from?

Closely resembles Q. berberidifolia, but differs in having consistently spatulate leaves with a narrowed leaf base, and acute-tapered fruit, with thinner cups. Leaf vestiture otherwise is similar to berberidifolia, but that species has typically square or rounded-attenuate leaf bases and blunter, heavier fruit.

Quercus pacifica also appears to be closely related to Q . Douglasii, a tree-oak, whether by direct descent or by hybridization with another species no longer extant on the islands.

© Project SOUND

Those promiscuous white oaks – difficult

to classify & understand

It is likely that Q. pacifica is phylogenetically close to Q. berberidifolia or possibly represents a hybrid between Q. berberidifolia and Q. douglasii.

Other stable hybrids suggest that widespread hybridization has occurred on the islands between the scrub oaks and either Q. lobata or Q.douglasii, neither of which occur in abundance, but are found in isolated pockets. Both of these are larges trees.

© Project SOUND

The hand of man on local islands

http://www.catalinachamber.com/mediafilming/whats-new/bison

http://laist.com/2009/03/31/new_37-mile_trail_to_open_on_catali.php

http://www.hotel-metropole.com/events

http://i.ehow.com/images/a04/qt/gg/plant-acorns-pot-800X800.jpg

© Project SOUND

Acorns: an important source of food

Jays Jays harvest acorns and

stash them for the winter – usually within 1-2 miles of the source

Credited for the wide distribution of Oaks across the Northern Hemisphere.

Humans Eat acorns as a staple food Also increase the

distribution of oaks – by transporting and planting acorns

?? Role of humans in the distribution of coastal/Island CA oaks

http://www.channelislandsrestoration.com/sci/Quercus-pacifica.htm

© Project SOUND

There are many interesting features of the flora of California’s Channel Islands

The islands – and their plant species – provide a natural lab in which to study how species form, change and even disappear

© Project SOUND

Many Channel Island species make great

garden plants