California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) I am a common and native shrub to the Coastal Sage Scrub habitat. I provide hiding places for the San Diego Horned Lizard to stay safe and cool and I am food for the Stephen s Kangaroo Rat. (1) White Sage (Salvia apiana) I am an important species in Native American culture. I am used to make a tea to help cure colds and the flu and used in purification ceremonies. I provide food and hiding spots for the Stephen s Kangaroo Rat, and attract pollinators such as the Sweat Bee. (2)
Sweat Bee (Halictidae lasioglossum) I am a small, local species of bee and a general pollinator. With the collapse of the honeybees I play an important role in pollinating many plant species in the Coastal Sage Scrub habitat. These include the Prickly Pear Cactus and California Buckwheat. (3) San Diego Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum) I am a native lizard species that primarily depends on Harvester Ants for food. I like to find shade under plants such as California Buckwheat. (4)
California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) I am an umbrella species used to protect endemic plants and animals. I require high quality Coastal Sage Scrub habitat which includes plants such as White Sage and California Buckwheat. (Endemic - a species that can not be found anywhere else in the world.) (5) Stephen s Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys stephensi) I am an endangered native species that is nocturnal. I forage for seeds and spread these seeds over the Coastal Sage Scrub habitat. I eat California Sagebrush and burrow near plants like the Prickly Pear Cactus. I require a lot of open space to move about. (Nocturnal- active at night.) (6)
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus sandiegensis) I am a native bird and my population is currently in decline. I mostly eat insects like the Sweat Bee and use plants like California Sagebrush as cover when moving around. (7) Prickly-Pear Cactus (Opuntina littoralis) I am a native cactus species. My fruits and pads are edible so I am sometimes used to make food and drinks. I am the primary habitat for the Cactus Wren and provide a safe place to build its nest. My beautiful flowers attract pollinators like the Sweat Bee. (8)
Ripgut Brome (Bromis diandrus) I am a non-native annual grass and I carry a lot of seeds that can be easily spread. I am fuel for fires. I create a very thick layer of grass that many Coastal Sage Scrub plants like the White Sage cannot sprout through. I make it hard for Stephen s Kangaroo Rat to move around. (9) California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica) I am an important native plant and am very fragrant. I provide hiding places for the San Diego Horned Lizard and a safe place for the California Gnatcatcher to build its nests. (10)
Argentine Ants (Linepithema humile) I am a non-native ant from Argentina, South America. I disrupt pollinator interactions by attacking pollinators such as the Sweat Bee. I outcompete many arthropods such as the Harvester Ants. (Arthropods- invertebrates such as insects, spiders or crustaceans.) (11) Harvester Ants (Pogonomyrmex californicus) I am a native ant species and I make my nests out of inedible seed castings which in turn helps many plants like the California Buckwheat to germinate. I am a food source for the California Gnatcatcher. (Inedible Seed Casting - outer shell of a seed that can t be eaten.) (12)
Lynx Spider (Oxyopidae Oxyopes Salticus) I am a native spider that hunts for insects on plants instead of making a web. I depend on California Sagebrush and California Buckwheat for habitat and hunting grounds. (13) Storksbill (Erodium cicutarium) I am an invasive annual forb that sprouts early before native plants have a chance to grow. I prevent the growth of Coastal Sage Scrub plants like the Prickly-Pear Cactus because I use up soil moisture and nutrients. I make it hard for Stephen s Kangaroo Rat to move around. (Forb- low growing, ground covering plant, not a grass.) (14)
Electra Buckmoth (Hemileuca electra) I am found only in the Coastal Sage Scrub habitat. I am entirely dependent upon California Buckwheat for survival it is my host plant when I am a caterpillar. When I am an adult Buckmoth, I have no mouth or digestive system so I have to live off of the fat I stored as a caterpillar. I provide food for reptiles such as the San Diego Horned Lizard. (15) Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata roseofusca) I am one of the slowest moving snakes in the world. I am mostly nocturnal, and one of two sub-species found in San Diego County. I help to keep the rodent populations down by eating them. One of my favorite meals is the Stephen s Kangaroo Rat, but I also enjoy an occasional reptile like the San Diego Horned Lizard. (16)
Coyote (Canis latrans) I am one of the few animals that has actually increased in numbers with urbanization growth. I eat smaller animals such as the Stephen s Kangaroo Rat and the San Diego Horned Lizard. I also like to eat domestic pets so be sure to keep your dogs and cats indoors to keep them safe! (17) Silver Argiope (Argiope argentata) I build my webs on the Prickly-Pear Cactus. I create distinct zig-zag patterns in my web that is believed to help prevent birds from flying into them and destroying my hard work. I eat a lot of insects like the Electra Buckmoth. (18)
Elderber ry (Sambucus mexicana) I am a native plant species and I produce a sweet fruit that many species enjoy eating such as the Cactus Wren and the Coyote. My fruit can also be used by humans to make edible pies and jams. (19) Indian Fig (Opuntia ficus-indica) I am a non-native prickly-pear type cactus that is better for humans who use me to make food and drinks because I have fewer spines. My fewer spines are not good for the Cactus Wren because these birds require the spines for protection. In the wild, I am hybridizing with Prickly-Pear Cactus, resulting in less spines overall. (Hybridizing- cross breed, mixture of the two.) (20)