Plants Plants are classified into angiosperms, like garden flowering plants and most trees and shrubs; and gymnosperms, like fir trees and several groups of tropical plants like cycads and gingko trees. Gymnosperms don t produce flowers. The name gymnosperm means naked seed. Seeds of gymnosperms are found on the surface of modified leaves for example the cones of a fir tree. Angiosperms evolved later than gymnosperms. They have true roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. Angiosperms also have seeds. The seeds are formed when an egg or ovule is fertilized by pollen in the ovary. The flower contains the male and/or female parts of the plant. Fruits are frequently produced from these ripened ovaries. Angiosperms are more highly evolved that the algae, mosses, fungi, and ferns. Their advanced structures allow angiosperms to thrive on land. Angiosperms have roots that hold the plant in place and take in needed minerals and water. They have leaves that are the major food makers for the plant and have stems that hold the plants up and move the nutrients and water about the plant. Angiosperms are the primary food source for animals and provide oxygen for us to breathe. They provide lumber for buildings, fibers for clothes, and their chemicals are the basis for many drugs. There are about 260,000 living species of flowering plants on Earth, divided into two major groups; dicotyledons and monocotyledons. Monocotyledons include grasses and palm trees. These plants have only one seed leaf and often have narrow, parallel-veined leaves. Their flowers are usually found in threes or multiples of three. Dicotyledons are the larger group and have two seed leaves and branching-veined leaves. Most trees, shrubs, and flowering plants are dicotyledons. The largest families of flowering plants include the orchids, daisies, peas, mallows, spurge and sedges. Flowering plants may be woody or non-woody, like the flowers that grow in our yards. Both shrubs and trees are woody ; that is, the cell walls of these plants contain a hardening chemical called lignin, which helps them stand erect. The word bush is sometimes used interchangeably with shrub. Shrubs have several stems arising from
the base. Some families of flowering plants have very diverse members; for example the sumac bush is in the same family as the cashew, mango and pistachio! Tree families include the beeches (including oaks), and the willow family (aspen, poplar and willow). In contrast to shrubs, trees usually have a main trunk and a distinct crown. Trees are usually taller than 12 to 15 feet. The definition is not clear-cut, however. The Mexican elderberry is sometimes considered a shrub, but it is as tall as a tree! Examples of many of these plant families can be seen in Blue Sky!
Plants of Blue Sky Ecological Reserve Arranged according to Checklist of Vascular Plants of San Diego County, 3rd edition by Michael Simpson & Jon Rebman. Many species will have different names and be grouped in different families in the near future. *LP = species found at neighboring Lake Poway; not necessarily in Blue Sky Scientific Name SELAGINELLACEAE Selaginella bigelovii DENNSTAEDTIACEAE/POLYPODIACEAE Dryopteris arguta Polypodium californicum Common Name LYCOPODS SPIKE- MOSS Club Moss FERNS BRAKEN Wood Fern Polypody PTERIDACEAE Adium jordani California Maidenhiar Fern Cheilanthes california California Maidenhair Fern LP Cheilanthes clevelandii Cleveland's Lip Fern Cheilanthes newberryi Cotton Fern Pellaea andromedaefolia Coffee Fern Pellaea mucronata Bird's Fo ot Fern Pitygramma triangularis var. maxonii Desert Goldback Fern Pitygramma triangularis var. triangularis Goldback Fern Pitygramma triangularis var. viscosa Silverback Fern LP Pinus sp. AMARANTHACEAE Amaranthus albus CONIFERS ANGIOSPERMS: DICOTS AMARANTH White Tumbleweed ANACARDIACEAE SUMAC Malosma laurina Laurel Sumac Rhus ovata Sugar Bush Rhus trilobata Squaw Bush, Basket Bush LP Schinhus molle Peruvian Pepper Tree Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian Pepper Tree Toxicodendron diversilobum Poison Oak APIACEAE Apiastrum angustifolium Daucus pusillus Foeniculum vulgare Sanicula arguta CARROT Mock Parsley Rattlesnake Weed Sweet Fennel Snake Root
Sanicula crassicaulis Pacific Sanicle LP Tauschia arguta Southern Tauschia Torilis arvensis Hedge Parsley ASCLEPIACEAE Asclepias fascicularis Sarcostemma cynanchoides MILKWEED Narrow-leaved Milkweed Vining Milkweed ASTERACEAE SUNFLOWER Acourtia ambrosiodes Ambrosia psilostachys Western Ragweed Anthemis cotula Dog Fennel/Chamomile Artemisia californica California/Coastal Sagebrush Artemisia douglasiana California Mugwort Artemisia palmeri San Diego/Palmer's Sagewort LP Aster subulatus Slim Aster Baccharis pilularis Chaparral Broom/Coyote Brush Baccharis salicifolia Mule Fat Baccharis sarathroides Broom Baccharis Bebbia juncea Sweetbush Brickellia californica California Brickellbush LP Caruus pycnocephalus Italian Thistle Centauria melitensis Tocalote, Yellow Star Thistle Centaurea solstitialis Barnaby's/Yellow Star Thistle Chaenactis artemisiaefolia White Pincushion Chaenactis glabriuscula Yellow Pincushion/S.D. Pincushion Chamomilla suaveolens Pineapple Weed Cichorium intybus Chicory Cirsium californicum var cal. California Thistle Cirsium californicum var.occ Cobweb/Red Thistle Conyza bonariensis Little Horseweed Conyza canadensis Horseweed Cotula australis Australian Brass Buttons Cynara cardunculus Cardoon/Wild Artichoke Deinandra fasciculata Fascicled Tarweed Encelia farinosa Brittlebush, Incienso Ericameria brachylepis Boundary Goldenbush Erigeron foliosus Fleabane Aster Eriophyllum confertiflorum Golden Yarrow Filago californicum California Filago Filago gallica Narrow-leaf Filago Gazania linearis Gazania Gnaphalium bicolor Two-Tone Everlasting Gnaphalium californicum California Everlasting Gnaphalium canescens Fragrant Everlasting Gnaphalium luteo-album Cudweed Gnaphalium stramineum Cotton-Batting Plant Gutierrezia californica California Matchweed Gutierrezia sarothrae Matchweed Hazardia squarrosus Saw-toothed Goldenbush Hedypnois cretica Hedypnois
Helianthus annuus Common Sunflower Helianthus gracilentus Slender Sunflower Heterotheca grandiflora Telegraph Weed Hypochaeris glabra Smooth Cat's Ear Hypochaeris radicata Hairy Cat's Ear Isocoma menziesii Coast Goldenbush Lactuca serriola Prickly/Wild Lettuce Lasthenia coronaria Southern Goldfields Layia platyglossa Tidy Tips Lessingia filaginifolia Woolly Aster Machaeranthera juncea Rush Chaparral-star Malacothrix saxatilis Cliff Malacothrix Osmadenia tenella Three Spot Picris echioides Bristly Ox Tongue Pluchea odorata Salt Marsh Fleabane Pluchea sericea Arrowweed Porophyllum gracile Odora Rafinesquia californica California Chicory Senecio californicus California Butterweed Senecio vulgaris Common Groundsel Solidago californica California Goldenrod Sonchus asper Prickly Sow Thistle Sonchus oleraceus Sow Thistle Stephanomeria diegensis Wand Chicory/Twiggy Wreath Plant Stephanomeria virgata Wreath Plant Stylocline gnaphaloides Everlasting Nest Straw Taraxacum officinale Dandelion Uropappus lindleyi Silver Puffs Xanthium strumarium Cockle Bur BORAGINACEAE BORAGE, FORGET-ME-NOT Amsinkia menziesii Yellow Fiddleneck Crypthantha intermedia White Forget-Me-Not/Popcorn Flower LP Cryptantha micromeres Minute-Flower Cryptantha Cryptantha muricata Prickly Cryptantha Heliotropium curvassavicum Chinese Pusley/Wild Heliotrope Plagiobothrys nothofulvus Rusty Popcorn Flower BRASSICACEAE MUSTARD Barbarea orthoceras Winter-Cress Brassica nigra Black Mustard Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse Cardamine californica Milkmaids Caulanthus heterophyllus San Diego Jewel Flower Hirschfeldia incana Shortpod Mustard Lepidium lasiocarpum Sand Pepprgrass LP Lepidium oblongum Peppergrass Lepidium virginicum Peppergrass Lobularia maritima Sweet Alyssum Raphanus sativus Wild Radish
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum Watercress Sisymbrium irio London Rocket Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard Sisymbrium orientale Oriental Mustard Thysanocarpus curvipes Lacepod CACTACEAE Opuntia littotalis Opuntia "occidentalis" CAPPARACEAE Isomeris arborea CAPRIFOLIACEAE Lonicera subspicata Sambucus mexicana CARYOPHYLLACEAE Cerastium glomeratum Polycarpon tetraphyllum Silene gallica Silene antirrhina Silene laciniata Spergularia rubra Spergularia villosa Stellaria media CHENOPODIACEAE Atriplex canescens Atriplex semibaccata Chenopodium album Chenopdium ambrosioides Chenopodium californicum Salsola tragus CISTACEAE Cistus creticus Helianthemum scoparium CONVOLVULACEAE Calystegia macrostegia Convolvulus arvensis CRASSULACEAE Crassula connata Dudleya lanceolata Dudleya pulverulenta CUCURBITACEAE Marah macrocarpus CACTUS Prickly Pear Cactus CAPER Bladderpod HONEYSUCKLE Chaparral/Wild Honeysuckle Elderberry PINK Mouse-eared Chickweed Four-leaved Polycarp Windmill Pink Snapdragon Catchfly Indian Pink Ruby Sand Spurrey Villous Sand Spurrey Common Chickweed GOOSEFOOT Four-Wing Saltbush Australian Saltbush White Goosefoot/Lamb's Quarters Mexican Tea California Chenopody Russian Thistle ROCK-ROSE Purple Rock Rose Common Rock Rose MORNING GLORY Wild Morning Glory Bindweed STONECROP Pigmy Weed Lance-leaved Dudlyea Chalk LIve-forever GOURD Wild Cucumber
CUSCUTACEAE DODDER Cuscuta californica Dodder, Witch's Hair Cuscuta subinclusa Dodder DATISCACEAE Datisca glomerata ERICACEAE Xylococcus bicolor EUPHORBIACEAE Chamaesyce polycarpa Chamaesyce maculata Eremocarpus setigerus Euphorbia peplus Ricinus communis DATISCA Durango Root HEATH Mission Manzanita SPURGE Rattlesnake weed Spotted Mat Spurge Turkey Mullein Petty Spurge Castor Bean FABACEAE PEA Lathyrus vestitusvar. alefeldii Wild Sweet Pea Lotus hamatus San Diego Lotus/Grab Lotus Lotus nevadensis Lotus pourshianus Spanish Clover Lotus salsuginosus Alkali/Coastal Lotus Lotus scoparius Deerweed Lotus strigosus Strigose Lotus Lupinus bicolor Dove/Miniature Lupine LP Lupinus concinnus Bajada Lupine Lupinus hirsuitissimus Stinging Lupine Lupinus longifolius Bush Lupine Lupinus sparsiflorus Coulter's Lupine Lupinus succulentus Arroyo Lupine Lupinus truncatus Collar Lupine Medicago polymorpha Bur Clover Melilotus albus White Sweet Clover Melilotus indica Yellow Sweet Clover Pickeringia montana Chaparral Pea LP Trifolium fucatum Bull Clover Trifolium hirtum Rose Clover Trifolium variegatum White Tip Cloveer Trifolium wildenovii Tomcat Clover Vicia ludoviciana Slender Vetch FAGACEAE Quercus agrifolia Quercus berberidifolia Quercus engelmanni GENETIANACEAE Centaurium venustum GERANIACEAE BEECH Coast Live Oak Scrub Oak Engelmann Oak GENTIAN Canchalagua GERANIUM
Erodium botrys Long-beaked Filaree Erodium cicutarium Red-stem Filaree Erodium moschatum White-stem Filaree Geranium carolinianum Carolina Geranium GROSSULARIACEAE Ribes indecorum CURRENT White Chaparral Currant HYDROPHYLLACEAE WATERLEAF, PHACELIA Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia Common Eucrypta Nemophilia menziesii Baby Blue Eyes Nemophila pedunculata Meadow Nemophila Phacelia cicutaria Caterpillar Phacelia Phacelia parryi Parry's Phacelia LP Phacelia minor Wild Canterbury-Bell Phacelia ramoissima Branching Phacelia Pholistoma racemosum LAMIACEAE Lamium amplexicaule Marrubium vulgare Salvia apiana Salvia columbariae Salvia mellifera Scutellaria tuberosa Stachys ajugoides Trichostema lanceolatum LYTHRACEAE Lythrum sp. MALVACEAE Malacothamnus fasciculatus Malva parviflora Sidalcea malvaeflora MYRTACEAE Eucalyptus globulus Eucalyptus sp. NYCTAGINACEAE Mirabilis californica OLEACEAE Olea europaea ONOGRACEAE Cammisonia bisorta Cammisonia californica Cammisonia species Cammisonia strigulosa MINT Henbit Horehound White Sage Chia Black Sage Danny's Skullcap Hedge Nettle Vinegar Weed LOOSESTRIFE California Loosestrife MALLOW Bush Mallow Cheeseweed Checkebloom MYRTLE Blue Gum Eucalyptus FOUR O'CLOCK Wishbone Plant OLIVE Olive EVENING PRIMROSE Sun Cup Mustard Evening Primrose
Clarkia delicata Delicate Clarkia, Campo Clarkia Clarkia epilobioides Willow-Herb Clarkia Clarkia purpurea Wine Cup Clarkia Epilobium canum California Fuchsia Epilobium ciliatum Willow Herb Oenothera elata Hooker's Evening Primrose OROBANCHACEAE Orobanche bulbosa Orobanche californica BROOMRAPE Chaparral Broomrape Sagebrush Broom-Rape OXALIDACEAE OXALIS Oxalis albicans Oxalis, Wood Sorrel LP Oxalis pes-capre Bermuda Buttercup PAEONIACEAE Paeonia californica PAPAVERACEAE Eschscholzia californica Papaver californicum Platystemon californicus Romneya trichocalyx Stylomecon heterophylla PEONY California Peony POPPY California Poppy Fire Poppy Cream Cups Matilija Poppy Wind Poppy PLANTAGINACEAE PLANTAIN LP Plantago coronopus Cut-leaf Plantain Plantago erecta Dot-Seed/California Plantain LP Plantago lanceolata English Plantain Plantago major Common Plantain Plantago ovata Woolly Plantain PLATANACEAE Platanus racemosa SYCAMORE California Sycamore PLUMBAGINACEAE LEADWORT LP Limonium perezii Sea Lavender POLEMONIACEAE PHLOX Allophyllum glutinosum Blue False Gilia LP Eriastrum filifolium Thread-leaf Woolly- Star Gilia angelensis Angel's Gilia Gilia capitata Globe Gilia LP Gilia tricolor Linanthus diathiflorus Ground Pink Navarretia atractyloides Holly-leaf Skunkweed Navarretia hamata Skunkweed POLYGONACEAE Chorizanthe fimbriata Eriogonum fasciculatum var.fasc BUCKWHEAT Spine Flower California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. folio Rosemary Flat-top Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatumvar. Polif California Buckwheat Eriogonum gracile Slender Buckwheat Eriogonum elongatum Tall Buckwheat Polygonum arenastrum Yard Knotweed Polygonum lapathifolium Willow Weed Pterostegia drymarioides Granny's Hairnet Rumex conglomeratus Whorled Dock Rumex crispus Curly Dock Rumex salicifolius Willow Dock PORTULACEAE PURSLANE Calandrinia ciliata Red Maids Calandrinia breweri Brewer's Calandrinia Claytonia perfoliata Miner's Lettuce LP Portulaca oleracea Common Purslane PRIMULACEAE Anagallis arvensis Dodecathecon clevelandii Samolus parviflorus RANUNCULACEAE Clematis pauciflora Delphinium cardinale Delphinium parryi Thalictrum polycarpum PRIMROSE Scarlet Pimpernel Padre's Shooting Stars Water Pimpernel/Brookweed BUTTERCUP Virgin's Bower/Ropevine Scarlet Larkspur Blue Larkspur Meadow Rue RHAMNACEAE BUCKTHORN LP Ceanothus crassifolius Hoary-leaved Ceanothus Ceanothus integerrimus Deer Brush Ceanothus leucodermis Chaparral White Thorn Rhamnus crocea Redberry Rhamnus ilicifolia Holly-leaf Redberry LP Rhamnus pilosa Redberry ROSACEAE ROSE Adenostoma fasciculatum Chamise LP Cercocarpus minutiflorus Mountain Mahogany Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon Potentilla verna Potentilla glandulosa Sticky Cinquefoil LP Prunus ilicifolia Holly-leaved Cherry Rosa californica California Wild Rose Rubus ursinus Blackberry RUBIACEAE Galium angustifolium Galium aparine Galium nuttallii MADDER Narrow-leaved Bedstraw Bedstraw, Cleaver's Goose Grass Climbing Bedstraw
SALICACEAE WILLOW Populua fremontii Cottonwood Salix gooddingii Gooddingii's Black Willow Salix lasiolepis Arroyo Willow Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra Lance-leaf Willow SAURURACEAE Anemopsis californica SAXIFRAGACEAE Jepsonia parryi Lithophragma affine LIZARD-TAIL Yerba Mansa SAXIFRAGE Jepsonia Woodland Star SCROPHULARIACEAE FIGWORT Antirrhinum coulterianum White Snapdragon Antirrhinum kelloggii Climbing Snapdragon Antirrhinum nuttallianum Nuttall's Snapdragon Castilleja affinis Coast Paintbrush Castilleja densiflora Parish's Owl's Clover Castilleja exserta Owl's Clover Collinsia heterophylla Purple & White Chinese Houses Cordylanthus rigidus Bird's Beak Keckiella antirrhinoides Keckiella LP Keckiella cordifolia Climbing Bush Penstemon Linaria canadensis Blue Toadflax Mimulus aurantiacus Monkey Flower Mimulus brevipes Wide Throat Monkey Flower Mimulus cardinalis Mimulus guttatus Mimulus pilosus Penstemon spectabilis Scrophularia californica Veronica anagallis-aquatica Veronica persica Scarlet Monkey Flower Creek Monkey Flower Downy Monkey Flower Showy/Notable Penstemon Coast Figwort/California Bee Plant Water Speedwell Persian Speedwell SOLANACEAE NIGHTSHADE Datura wrightii Jimson Weed Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco Physalis crassifolia Ground Cherry Solanum douglasii White Nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium White Horse-nettle Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade LP Solanum parishii Parish's Nightshade Solanum xanti TAMARICACEAE TAMARISK LP Tamarix sp. Tamarisk URTICACEAE NETTLE
Urtica holosericea Stinging Nettle VIOLACEAE Viola pedunculata VITACEAE Vitis sp. VIOLET Johnny Jump-Up GRAPE Grape ANGIOSPERMS: MONOCOTS AGAVACEAE AGAVE Hesperoyucca whipplei Our Lord's Candle ALISMATACEAE WATER-PLAN TAIN LP Echinodorus berteroi Burhead ALLIACEAE Allium peninsulare CYPERACEAE Carex spissa Carex triquetra Cyperus eragrostis Eleocharis macrostachya Eleocharis montevidensis Scirpus acutus Scirpus californicus Scirpus microcarpus IRIDACEAE Sisyrinchium bellum JUNCACEAE Juncus balticus Juncus bufonius Juncus mexicana Juncus patens ONION Peninsular Onion SEDGE Sedge Sedge Tall Flatsedge/Umbrella Sedge Spike Rush Dombey's Spikerush Viscid Bulrush Small Fruit Bulrush IRIS Blue-eyed Grass RUSH Wire Rush Toad Rush Mexican Rush LEMNACEAE DUCKWEED LP Lemna minuscula Duckweed LILACEAE Calochortus splendens Calochortus weedii Chlorogalum parviflorum Leucojum sp. ORCHIDACEAE LILY Splendid/Lilac Mariposa Lily Weed's Mariposa Lily Small-flower Soap Plant ORCHID
POACEAE GRASS Achnatherum coronatum Giant Stipa Agrostis viridis Bent Grass Avena barbata Slender Wild Oat Avena fatua Wild Oat Bothriochloa barbinodis Cane Bluestem Bromus carinatus California Brome Bromus diandrus Ripgut Grass Bromus hordeaceus Soft Chess Bromus madritensis Red Brome/Foxtail Chess Cortaderia selloana Pampus Grass Cynodon dactylon Bermuda Grass/Roster Foot Gastridium ventricosum Nit Grass Hordeum murinum Wild Barley Lamarkia aureus Golden Top Leptochloa uninervia Mexican Spangletop Leymus condensatus Giant Wild Rye Leymus triticoides Beardless Wild Ryegrass Lolium perenne Perennial Ryegrass Melinis repens Natal Grass Melica imperfecta Coast Range Melic Muhlenbergia microsperma Littleseed Muhly Nasella lepida Foothill Needlegrass Nasella pulchra Purple Needlegrass Paspalum dilatatum Dallis Grass Pennisetum setaceum African Fountain Grass Piptatheus millaceum Millet Rice grass/smilo Grass Poa annua Wintergrass Polygonum monspeliensis Rabbit's Foot/Annual Beard Grass LP Sorghum bicolor Sorghum, Milo, Sudan Grass Vulpia myuros Fescue THEMIDACEAE Bloomeria crocea Dichelostemma capitatum TYPHACEAE Typha domingensis BRODIAEA Golden Stars Blue Dicks CAT-TAIL Narrow-leaved Cat-tail Sources: Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc., 1979 California Department of Fish and Game, Plant Lists, 1992 and 1993 Bluhm, Vernon, Blue Sky E.R. Plants, March 1993 Hanson, Marsha, Personal Observations and Identifications 1992-2006 Courtesy of Marsha Hanson, July 2006