Calochortus tiburonensis photo by Mary Aline Stevens

MARIN CHAPTER
CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

Dedicated To The Preservation Of California Native Flora
9 March 2010

Marin CNPS Meetings~~ Marin Field Trips~~ Marin CNPS Plant Lists~~ March Newsletter
Links~~Wildflower Reports with Photographs~~ Volunteer Opportunities in Marin
Join the California Native Plant Society
Email Marin CNPS
Upcoming Marin CNPS Events
Sunday, March 14 Field Trip Lower Steep Ravine and Rocky Pt.
Wednesday, March 24 Field Trip Rock Spring Orchid Hunt
Wednesday, March 31 Field Trip Cascade Canyon to the "Well"
Saturday, April 10 Native Plant Sale
Monday, April 12 Marin CNPS Meeting "Flora of the Sequoia/Kings Canyon Area" Aaron Schusteff
Outings sponsored by other Marin groups
Rare Plant Monitoring Field Trips conducted by National Park Service, GGNRA
contact Michael Chassé at (415) 561-2857 or by Email if you would like to join any of these trips
Friday March 12 9-12 Marin Headlands Arabis blepharophylla, Erysimum franciscanum
Wednesday March 17 1-4 Miwok Trail north out of Tennessee Valley
more dates and other volunteer opportunites
April 23-26 Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival
Purchase your tickets now - events are filling up quickly! Schedule of Events
March 2010 Plant of the month by Doreen Smith
Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis photo by Vernon Smith Fairy slipper orchid
Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis
"It may surprise many to know that this delicate orchid is common in March on the upper parts of Mt. Tamalpais, growing under Douglas'-fir trees and is probably mycorrhizally connected to them. There is only one leaf, often with several flowers, produced from a shallowly rooted corm-like structure. It is very vulnerable to trampling, so please take care if you want to photograph these little beauties. Examples are easily seen near the paved path to the Mountain Theatre from the small parking area just west of that site."

For more information about and photographs of California native plants, visit Calflora, CalPhotos. or USDA PLANTS
Wildflower reports from Marin County
Report (email us) your Marin native plant sightings and photographs

March 6 Brandon Andre reports:"There are a handfull of really nice specimens of Fritillaria affinis var. tristulis peaking along the downhill side of the trail to the elephant seal viewing area at the Chimney Rock TH. I did not see any out at Chimney Rock, but they may very well be flowering out there....the ones I just mentioned were the first I had ever seen and it was not until I finally spotted those that I realized how hard they are to see!
"There are many beautiful Iris, Checkerbloom, Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria, Erysimum menziesii var. concinnum flowering all over the Chimney Rock area. There were also a few flowering Delphinium decorum ssp. decorum new the elephant seal viewing area and all the way out at the end of the Chimney Rock Trail."

Indian Warrior photo by James SpragueMarch 5 James Sprague reports:"Indian warriors are blooming on the Nora Trail between West Point Inn and The Matt Davis Trail. Also tons of calypso orchids on the Steep Ravine Trail near the Pan Toll Parking lot."

February 22 Jim Gratiot reports "Mimulus douglasii, purple mouse ears, are blooming on Mt Burdell."

February 22 Christopher Moore reports "Friends and I spotted one small, sodden (but fully bloomed) Calypso bulbosa alongside the TCC trail, about half way between Van Wyck meadow and the the Dipsea junction, on Sunday February 21, 2010. That seems early to me."

February 21 Sharon Salisbury reports "On the Warner Canyon Falls trail in Mill Valley there were hundreds of Fetid Adder's Tongue, many still in bloom, Fairy Bells, Huckleberry, Hound's Tongue, Trillium ovatum and some Mission Bells about to burst open. At the Blackstone Canyon Trail (made-up name as I don't know the real name) in Novato, there were a gazillion Milk Maids, many Buttercups, and on one slope a purple haze of Shooting Stars. ..hundreds of them with a few Buttercups just for an accent. There were also some lovely little white flowers, five petals with tiny red stripes on each petal."

Viola sempervirens photo by Vernon Smith Viola glabella photo by Vernon Smith Dirca occidentalis photo by Vernon Smith February 21 Doreen Smith reports: "A brief report from last Wednesday's Dirca occidentalis, western leatherwood, monitoring effort at Samuel P. Taylor State Park's cross-Marin trail. Brad Kelley and Vernon Smith took the long trail from Shafter Bridge to Platform Bridge and saw no Dirca at all, but one patch of the rare bottle-brush grass, Elymus californicus. The others, led by [me], took the path to Stairstep Falls from the Devil's Gulch trailhead to be sure of actually seeing flowering Dirca occidentalis. We also saw some fine Trillium ovatum, wakerobin, in bloom and one Calypso orchid. The pictures of the yellow violets and Dirca were taken by Vernon. The large-fleshy-leaved one is streamside violet, V. glabella (The Jepson Online Interchange has an inaccurate picture of another sp. of violet, maybe V. purpurea, to illustrate this taxon!). The evergreen one with smaller leaves is redwood violet, V. sempervirens."

Castilleja foliolosa photo by Dave Strauss February 20 Dave Strauss reports "I saw Zigadenus fremontii in large numbers - just starting to bloom - above the fire house on Throckmorton Ridge, lots of Cynoglossum grande in bloom around Sky Oaks, abundant Pedicularis densiflora along trails through the chapperal above Mt. Home Inn. Castilleja foliolosa... photo taken along Gravity Car."

Arctostaphylos virgata photo by Neal Kramer February 16 Michael Chassé reports: "Last week's trip to Bolinas Ridge was a slightly foggy but spectacular hike along the ridge trail, where we recorded multiple individuals of Arctostaphylos virgata on the GGNRA side. We also got a good look at Ceanothus masonii, Ceanothus gloriosus var. exaltatus, and plants that seem intermediate between the two. Thanks to Doreen Smith, Neal Kramer, and Brad Kelley for joining."

February 14 Doreen Smith reports: "On our rare plant monitoring trip to Bolinas Ridge on Thursday last the views were marvelous and the rare Marin manzanita, Arctostaphylos virgata, was in peak bloom. [Here is a] picture Neal Kramer took of the group with the finest specimen we found of the Marin manzanita. This species can also be found in bloom on Pt. Reyes."

All reports from 2003 to present

For more information about and photographs of California native plants, visit Calflora, CalPhotos. or USDA PLANTS
Marin CNPS Photo Gallery
Marin State and Federally Listed Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Plants
Common Bay Area Spring Wildflowers
Common Bay Area Shrubs
Arctostaphylos species of Marin County
Orobanche species of Marin County
Some Native Orchids of Marin County
Delphinium bakeri pictures and article
Plant Communities of Marin County
Gardening with Native Plants in the San Francisco Bay Area
Native Plants that Attract Birds
Invasive Alert - Lepidium latifolium - Pt. Reyes staff have been finding scattered new populations of Perennial Pepperweed in Tomales Bay and would greatly appreciate reports of any plants seen around Tomales Bay. Please contact Ecologist Lorraine Parsons at Lorraine_Parsons@nps.gov. with information as to the location (as precise as possible), size, and life stage (flowering, fruiting, etc).
Lepidium latifolium description and photos
Volunteer Opportunities
  • Cape Ivy pull near Heart's Desire Beach, Tomales Bay State Park
    to be scheduled - please contact Vivian Mazur 415-669-7472 if you have interest in helping
  • GGNRA - Rare Plant Monitoring Field Trips conducted by National Park Service
    contact Michael Chassé at (415) 561-2857 or by Email if you would like to join any of these trips
    Thursday March 11 9-3 San Francisco - Presidio
    Friday March 12 9-12 Marin Headlands Arabis blepharophylla, Erysimum franciscanum, locally rare species?
    Wednesday March 17 1-4 Miwok Trail north out of Tennessee Valley
    Thursday March 18 9-3 San Francisco - Presidio
    Saturday March 20 9-12 San Francisco - Presidio
    Thursday March 25 NO RARE PLANT MONITORING THIS WEEK
    Thursday April 8 9-3 Stinson Beach,Bolinas Stebbinoseris decipiens, others?
    Thursday April 22 9-3 Nicasio Ridge Castilleja affinis ssp. neglecta, and others
    Thursday April 29 9-3 Four Corners Calochortus umbellatus, other rare species?
  • Marin Audubon Society Marsh Restoration
    MAS has scheduled planting days at Bahia in Novato for
    March 13, 10 am - 1 pm, Additional days may follow.
    At its marsh restoration projects the Marin Audubon Society (MAS) has frequent opportunities for volunteers to help both with planting native plants and with controlling invasive non-natives. During the rainy season MAS volunteers have been planting creeping wild rye grass, Leymus triticoides, on uplands along the levees at Bahia in Novato. The planting season is coming to an end soon, but we still have a good supply of Leymus in our plant nursery for transplanting and a large area in which to plant.
    We need many hands to help with planting. Everyone is welcome.
    Tools, water and snacks will be provided. Meet at the end of Topaz Drive near Bolero Court.
    contact Robert Hinz at (415) 383-8688 or by Email for more information
  • MMWD - Mt Tam Watershed Volunteer Opportunities
    Are you interested in learning more about the rare plant and animal species that call Mt Tamalpais their home and helping to protect their habitat? This spring we are offering trainings to become vegetation and wildlife monitors. As a Turtle Observer you will work with the MMWD Fishery Program staff to the Western Pond Turtle, a federally listed "vulnerable species". Become trained in plant identification to help us map and eradicate invasive species as a Weed Watcher.
    Dress for changing weather and bring a hat, sunscreen, work shoes, your lunch, a water bottle and lots of friends! We provide snacks, water, instruction and inspiration.
    Please note that all events are subject to cancellation due to heavy rain. Please call (415) 945-1128 the morning of the event. It could be raining on Mt. Tam. but sunny 10 miles away or vice versa!
    -Mt. Tamalpais Trail Crew
    Generally the 1st Saturday of each month
    Saturday, March 6 9 AM to 2 PM Vegetation management and tread maintenance along Hoo-koo-e-koo Trail. Meet at Gravity Car parking lot below Throckmorton Fire Station in Mill Valley.
    - Turtle Observer Training
    Saturday, March 13 9 AM to 2 PM Become a trained Turtle Observer and you will monitor and record behavior of the native Western Pond Turtle around Phoenix Lake and Lake Lagunitas. The required orientation includes a hike around Lake Lagunitas, a discussion on turtle biology, and methods for engaging the public. Volunteers will schedule one-hour visits from March through May. Volunteers can be as young as 8 years old if accompanied by an adult. Rain will not cancel the orientation (but may require rescheduling of the hike).
    -Mt. Tamalpais Habitat Restoration
    Generally the 3rd Saturday of each month
    Saturday, March 20 9 AM to Noon Invasive species removal at Pine Point on the northern shoreline of Bon Tempe. We will meet at Lagunitas Picnic Area at 9 AM. Lagunitas Picnic Area is at the end of Sky Oaks Road, off Bolinas Road in Fairfax.
    Saturday, March 27 9 AM to Noon Invasive species removal along the Moore Trail. Meet at the Marin Stables at the end of Wood Lane in Fairfax. Please help us tidy up the Moore Trail so hikers and equestrians can continue to enjoy this beautiful trail.
    - MMWD Mt Tam Weed Watchers Applications due March 19th
    Weed Watchers survey trails and roadsides for new weed populations, discovering invasive plants before they become well-established. If you have an interest in botany, mapping or hiking consider joining our Weed Watcher program and become trained in vegetation monitoring. Your time and knowledge helps combat the threat of invasive plants on the watershed. Weed Watchers must be at least 18 years old.
    [Rather apply your skills on Point Reyes or at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area? The NPS Weed Watcher training will take place on Tuesday, March 9th, at Building 1050 at Fort Cronkhite from 10am-1pm. E-mail for more information.]
  • Point Reyes National Seashore-
    Habitat Restoration Program
    Workdays are normally held on the second and last Sundays of each month.
    Please meet us at Bear Valley Visitor Center at 9AM to car pool out to the site. If you're late and want to meet at the work site, please be sure to check at the Visitor Center front desk to confirm the location (depending on the size of the group, an alternate site may be selected). Remember to bring a snack/lunch and water and wear clothes that can get dirty. Contact Ellen(Ellen_Hamingson@nps.gov,415-464-5196) for more information.
  • Point Reyes Weed Watchers
    Point Reyes Weed Watchers patrol park trails, detecting and mapping weeds as they first invade. If you enjoy leisurely hikes through the parks but also want to help protect the unique natural resources, then this is the perfect opportunity for you. Weed Watchers is appropriate for adults and teens. For more information, call 415-464-5201 or Natalie_Howe@nps.gov.
  • Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, Audubon Canyon Ranch
    Your help is needed in restoring native plant communities and wildlife habitat in the coastal riparian forests of Bolinas Lagoon. Please join us for our weekly Volunteer Work Days:
    Thursdays     9am- noon in Volunteer Canyon.
    Contact Leslie@egret.org, 415-868-9244 for more information and to RSVP
  • SPAWN" (The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network)
    Every Saturday, 10am - 1pm, Creekside Habitat Restoration
    Join us as we plant, prune, remove invasives, and improve endangered coho habitat in the San Geronimo Valley! Its a wonderful opportunity to learn more about salmon and share rewarding experiences with like-minded folks of all ages while restoring our local ecosystem. Location varies, please visit SPAWN"S upcoming events for more details!
    Every Friday, 10am - 1pm, Native Plant Nursery Day
    Come out and help SPAWN volunteers at our very own Native Plant Nursery! We cultivate beautiful plants destined for restoration sites throughout the valley - everything from native blackberries and grasses to majestic redwoods and Douglas fir. Be a part of transforming creekside habitat from the ground up!
  • more Volunteer Opportunities
New and Revised MARIN FLORA
 The new edition of John Thomas Howell's classic 1949 Marin Flora. is co-authored by Wilma Follette, Catherine Best and Frank Almeda, Senior Curator of Botany at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, and is a joint project of the Marin Chapter of the CNPS and the Academy of Sciences. This updated edition has added 416 line drawings to assist in keying species, new well-tested dichotomous keys, and color photos of plant communities in Marin. There are new maps along with satellite images of Marin County. As much as possible has been preserved of Howell's original plant descriptions that have long delighted botanists as well as his insights and poetic observations. Hard and soft cover books will be available for purchase at chapter meetings or you can Order Marin Flora from the Marin Chapter CNPS. Marin Chapter members have contributed many hours of volunteer labor andexpertise; work was carried out at the Academy where plant specimens are retained. Publication was made possible by Tom Howell's generous remembrance of the chapter in his will when he died in 1994.
Cover illustration: "Mt. Tamalpais from Corte Madera Creek" by Tom Killion © 2004
Lost Plants of Marin by Doreen Smith
Order Plant Communities of Marin by David Shuford and Irene C. Timossi
CNPS Posters
Junior Botanists Program
E-mail questions or comments to Marin CNPS 		Calochortus tiburonensis photo by Mary Aline Stevens



Our logo is the Tiburon Mariposa Lily
(Calochortus tiburonensis). This extremely rare lily can be seen blooming from the end of May through mid-June among the serpentine rocks of Ring Mountain in Marin County, California. In fact, this is the only place in the world it has ever been found growing in the wild. It was first noticed by botanists in 1971 when the small patch of land on which it lives passed from private into public hands. The plant is now in cultivation and can be seen in botanic gardens.
Try your hand at identifying the parts of this flower:
or
View more photographs of this lily in its native habitat
or
Visit the College of Marin's "To See A World Project" to learn more about Ring Mountain

The California Native Plant Society is a non-profit organization of amateurs and professionals united by an interest in the plants of California. Its principal aims are to preserve the native flora and to add to the knowledge of members and the public at large. It seeks to accomplish these goals in a number of ways, including: The work of the Society is carried out primarily by the volunteer efforts of the members of CNPS chapters throughout the state. Money at the State level is provided by the dues of members. Local chapters raise money through plant sales and poster and book sales. The California Native Plant Society has 9,000 members statewide. The Marin Chapter, which was founded in 1973, has approximately 500 members.

Chapter Websites:
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other
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 PHOTOGRAPHS AND WILDFLOWER IDENTIFICATION AIDS:
  • CalPhotos UC Berkeley Digital Library Photo Collection consists of 63,460 images of California plants (native and naturalized) and habitats. You can search for plants by name, location (there are 1734 plant images taken in Marin County), or type and color.
  • USDA PLANTS Database provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the U.S. and its territories.
  • California Academy of Sciences: California Wildflower Search
  • Ron Parson's Flowershots Photographs of Orchids and other Wildflowers as well as lots of links to orchid sites and sites of general botanical interest
  • Reny Parker's Wildflowers An image gallery of wildflower, native plant, and landscape photographs. Currently over 1,750 images identified to 78 plant families.
  • Dpn Bain's Virtual Guidebook to Marin and the North Bay Counties (and loads of other spots spanning western North America): Scroll through 360-degree panoramas, each seamlessly stitched together from 12 still photographs. They even tell you how to create your own. Definitely entertaining if you have QuickTime software already installed or want to download it.
WILDFLOWER REPORTS:
CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY:
How to become a member of the California Native Plant Society

The Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society thanks Geology Professor Jim Locke and the College of Marin for hosting our Web Pages.

e-mail Marin CNPS
webster Mary Aline Stevens