Rare Plants of the Central Valley. California Native Plant Society Workshop February 15, 2011 Carol W. Witham

Rare Plants of the Central Valley California Native Plant Society Workshop February 15, 2011 Carol W. Witham

Workshop Outline Lecture Presentations Introduction/Orientation CNPS Online Inventory Handouts/Cheatsheets Lasthenia Endangered VP Grasses Juncus Limnanthes Downingia Photographic Tours Delta, Floodplain and Riparian Alkali Mesic Grasslands (Non alkali) Grasslands Vernal Pools Laboratory Exercises Lasthenia Endangered Grasses Juncus (quiz) Closing Discussions Course evaluations

Geographic Orientation

Delta, Floodplain and Riparian selected rare plants of brackish and freshwater marshes and riparian scrub and forest

Delta, Floodplain and Riparian Rob Preston Aaron Arthur Mixed stand of Lilaeopsis & Limosella Occurs primarily on intertidal mudflats, but can occur in rip rapped areas Best surveyed for by boat during low tide Lilaeopsis masonii Apiaceae Leaves septated Limosella subulata Scrophulariaceae (???) Leaves not septated

Delta, Floodplain and Riparian Kristiaan Stuart Doug Wirtz Doug Wirtz Hibiscus lasiocarpus var. occidentalis Marshes Often in areas with tidal influence Cordylanthus mollis ssp. mollis Coastal salt or brackish marshes Suisun Marsh Cirsium hydrophilum var. hydrophilum Salt marshes Suisun Marsh

Delta, Floodplain and Riparian Chris Winchell Eryngium racemosum Riparian scrub Primarily San Joaquin delta, often alkaline Mark Fogiel Lathyrus jepsonii var. jepsonii Fresh or brackish marshes Riparian scrub James Reiter Aster lentus (Symphyotrichum lentum) Fresh and brackish marshes Suisun Marsh

Alkali Mesic Grasslands selected rare plants of alkali mesicgrasslands including scalds and slickspots

Alkali Mesic Grassland Rob Preston Rob Preston Atriplex cordulata Erect Branched below Scalds, playas and alkaline vernal pools Atriplex erecticaulis Erect Branched above & below Scalds, playas & pools Chris Winchell Atriplex persistens Erect Staminate flowers in terminal spikes Alkali vernal pools

Alkali Mesic Grassland Rob Preston Rob Preston Atriplex miniscula Prostrate Scalds, playas & pools Atriplex depressa Prostrate Leaves 2 ranked Scalds, playas & pools

Alkali Mesic Grassland Zoya Akulova Rob Preston Atriplex joaquiniana Erect Fruit resembles fluted vase Scalds, playas & pools Atriplex subtilis Generally prostrate Scalds, playas & pools

Alkali Mesic Grassland Doug Wirtz Rob Preston Cordylanthus palmatus Soft hairs <1mm Mesic grasslands Cordylanthus mollis ssp. hispidus Stiff hairs >1mm Mesic grasslands and playas

Alkali Mesic Grassland Astragalus tener var. tener short pods var. ferrisiae long pods with pseudostipe Lepidium latipes var. heckardii stiff hairs >1mm mesic grasslands

(Alluvial Terrace) Grasslands selected rare plants of (non alkali) grasslands terraces above the valley floor

Grasslands George Hartwell Vernon Smith Castilleja rubicundula ssp. rubicundula Pink corolla Open grassland, often serpentinite Monardella douglasii ssp. venosa Open grasslands, usually in heavy clay Recently rediscovered in Butte County Aaron Schustell Delphinium recurvatum Mesic grassland, sometimes alkaline

Grasslands Roxanne Bittman Astragalus rattanii var. jepsonianus Grassland, oak woodland often serpentinite Neal Kramer Calycadenia hooveri Grassland, oak woodland, generally rocky Blooms July September Eastern San Joaquin Valley George Hartwell Calycadenia oppositifolia Grassland openings in various habitats Butte County endemic

Grasslands John Dittes Kelly Bougher Fritillaria agrestis Style branched Nectaries prominent Unpleasant odor Fritillaria liliacea Style branched Nectaries obscure Odorless or faintly fragrant Fritillaria pluriflora Style entire Odorless

Grasslands CNPS Lotus rubriflorus (Acmispon rubriflorus) Red flowers Grasslands & Woodlands Paronychia ahartii Mesic grassland, usually volcanics Also woodlands & shallow vernal pools

Vernal Pools selected rare plants of puddles, pools and playas typical vernal pools

Vernal Pools Chris Winchell Chamaesyce hooveri Summer blooming Large playa like pools Grasses in Orcuttieae Summer blooming No ligule Sticky/acidic exudate

Vernal Pools Downingia pusilla Flowers < 2 mm 2 color morphs with different corolla shape Areas of low competition Janell Hillman Legenere limosa Often apetalus Note peduncle below inferior ovary Multiple pool types

Vernal Pools Gratiola heterosepala 3 sepals form a 2 thumbed mitten 2 corolla lobes yellow Areas of low competition Gratiola ebracteata

Vernal Pools Rob Preston Limnanthes floccosa ssp. californica Endemic to Butte County Petals are supposed to have a ring of hairs at the base Occurs in vernal pools Limnanthes floccosa ssp. floccosa More widespread Note hairiness of outer sepal surface Most often occurs in vernal swales

Vernal Pools John Dittes Juncus leiospermus var. ahartii Seeds not striate @ 10x Single fruits Mostly vernal swales Juncus leiospermus var. leiospermus Seeds not striate @ 10x Multiple fruits Mostly vernal swales Juncus digitatus Seeds striate @ 10x Multiple fruits Cascade foothills

Workshop Wrap up Juncus id quiz A. B. C. D. E. F. Essay questions When and how of rare plant surveys Take home message is why Course evaluation Resources CalPhotos, but user beware! CNPS Online Inventory