Corethrogyne filaginifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt.

Asteraceae

Corthrogyne filaginifolia is widely distributed species of perennial sub-shrubs found throughout the Coast-Ranges, southern Sierra Nevadas and San Bernardino Mts. These plants are variable across their range, and have been differentially lumped or split into numerous species and subspecies by some authors.

These plants can reach a height of 1/10 to 1 meters tall, with great variability in the number of stems arising from a common base.

Arctostaphylos edmundsii J. Howell

Little Sur Manzaneta
Ericaceae

One of the many species of Arctostaphylos endemic to California, A. edmundsii is found along the coastal bluffs of Monterey Co. This plants forms a natural "bonsai" growth shape, growing a twisted, highly contorted trunk and branch system with leaves at the branch tips. The bark of these plants, like many Arctostaphylos, is shed along the younger branches, but retained along the trunk and sub-lateral branches, giving the stem a similar appearance to a cedar tree. Inflorescence development begins in early November, with the flowers actually opening in January.

A. edmundsii is a list 1b.2 species in California, meaning that it is highly limited in distribution and range. Active threats to the species include development of areas where the plants grow, and agriculture. However, conservation efforts are being made by Botanic Gardens to preserve living specimens of the species in their living collections.



Images taken at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont, Ca

Delphinium hansenii (E. Greene) E. Greene ssp. kernense (Davidson) Ewan

Kern larkspur
Ranunculaceae

A member of the buttercup family, Delphinium hansenii  (E. Greene) E. Greene  ssp. kernense  (Davidson) Ewan is a subspecies of Delphinium (commonly called larkspurs), that is restricted to the southern portions of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This subspecies is found in oak woodlands and chaparral towards the western edge of the Mojave desert, though not getting into the desert proper. Often, the best place to locate these plants are seeps and damp areas near the base of rock outcrops.

The flowers of these plants are quite showy, and range from deep blue to pale lavender.

Abronia nana S. Watson var. covillei (Heimerl) Munz

Coville's dwarf sand verbina
Nyctaginaceae

Found on rocky slopes and sandy soils in southern California and Nevada, this member of Nyctaginaceae, also known as the four-o-clock family, is most noticeable because of its distinctive inflorescence. Found predominantly in pinyon-juniper woodlands and yellow-pine forests, this perennial herb prefers dry soils to those that are overly moist.


These plants are listed as 4.2 on the California Native Plant Society's rare plants list, meaning they are rare in California.

Isoetes bolanderi Engelm.

Isoetaceae

I. bolanderi in its natural habitat in Box Lake in Rock Creek Valley

Wide spread yet easy to miss, Isoetes bolanderi is part of the ancient lineage of lycopods that I am particularly interested in. I. bolanderi is primarily an aquatic plant, but has been recorded to survive out of water. Difficult to identify, I. bolanderi's most noticiable feature is the tip of its leaf, which abruptly tapers to a narrowed point, as opposed to gradually tapering like most other Isoetes.

I. bolanderi after being removed from the ground and cleaned of soil

I. bolanderi is most often found in alpine lakes and ponds in the Sierra Nevada mountains, extending all the way up into Canada and east through the Rockies. In the northern part of its range, it can co-occur with two other species: Isoetes echinospora, and Isoetes occidentalis.

Physalis crassifolia Benth.

Yellow Nightshade Ground Cherry
Solanaceae

One our desert Nightshades, Physalis crassifolia is a relative of our domestic Tomatillo, and in fact, closely resembles it in fruit. However, unlike our domestic crop, this plant is poisonous, and is listed as a majorly toxic species by California Poison Control System.

P. crassifolia is a perennial herb that can become a sub-shrub under the right conditions. Flowering in mid spring to early summer, the flowers are typically Solanacious, forming a fused floral tube that is bright yellow in color. In fruit, the calyx forms a protective layer around the developing berry. The plants themselves are not large in size, being fairly low growing.

Rubus leucodermis Douglas ex Torr. & A. Gray

Whitebark Raspberry
Rosaceae

One of our native Rubus species, Rubus leucodermis is a low growing, mounding plant with a typical raspberry / blackberry habit. Like most members of Rubus, these plants are armed with sharp, recurved prickles along their stems and on the underside of their leaves. These plants are found throughout the California flouristic provence with the exception of the Great Valley, and extend all the way up along the west coast into Alaska. Their preferred habitat is open, rocky areas with good moisture.


Like most members of Rubus, R. leucodermis has an edible compound fruit. Fruits tend to be red-purple to black in color.