BIO 114: Plant Species and their habitats/plant communities

California sycamore

Platanus racemosa (riparian)

Leaves: Palmately lobed, alternate phyllotaxy.

Bark: Mottled, peeling bark reveals white, gray, and green patches.

Unique Features: Sycamore seed balls hang like ornaments; attracts various birds.

Historical Use: Native Americans used bark for medicine and leaves as a covering.

California sagebrush

Artemisia californica (coastal scrub)

Leaves: Deeply lobed, thread-like, and aromatic when crushed.

Growth: Shrubby, with a silvery-green appearance.

Ecology: Hosts pollinators like bees and supports birds.

Use: Traditional use as an herbal remedy.

Black Sage

Salvia mellifera (coastal scrub, chaparral)

Leaves: Opposite, aromatic, rough texture, with rolled-under margins.

Flowers: Pale lavender in whorled clusters; attracts bees, hummingbirds.

Ethnobotany: Medicinal herb for colds and teas.

Coyote brush

Baccharis pilularis (coastal scrub)

Leaves: Small, alternate, toothed margins.

Flowers: Dioecious, small fluffy seeds.

Role: Pioneer species in disturbed areas.

Wildlife: Hosts insects, supports birds.

Arroyo willow

Salix lasiolepis (riparian)

Leaves: Long, lance-shaped, alternate with serrated margins.

Flowers: Catkins; early-season pollinators visit.

Use: Basket weaving by Native Americans.

Coast live oak

Quercus agrifolia (oak woodland)

Leaves: Spiny-edged, oval, evergreen.

Acorns: Important food for wildlife.

Ecology: Supports fungi, lichen, and nesting birds.

Ethnobotany: Acorns processed into food by Native Americans.

California bay laurel

Umbellularia californica (riparian/oak woodland)

Leaves: Lance-shaped, highly aromatic when crushed.

Fruit: Round, green to purple drupes.

Use: Culinary and medicinal applications.

Ecology: Host plant for swallowtail butterfly larvae.

Poison oak

Toxicodendron diversilobum (Many plant communities from oak woodland to coastal shrub ... etc)

Habitat: Many plant communities.

Leaves: “Leaves of three, let it be,” lobed, shiny.

Toxicity: Causes rash on skin contact.

Ecology: Berries feed birds, leaves support insects.

Chaparral yucca

Hesperoyucca whipplei (chaparral, serpentine rock outcrop)

Leaves: Sword-like, rigid with sharp tips.

Flowers: Tall spike with bell-shaped white blooms.

Pollination: Moth-pollinated (yucca moth).

Mouse-gray dudleya

Dudleya abramsii (serpentine rock outcrop)

Leaves: Succulent, grayish-green rosette.

Flowers: Yellow to reddish blooms on stalks.

Ecology: Drought-tolerant, supports pollinators.

Buckbrush

Ceanothus cuneatus (maritime chaparral, chaparral)

Leaves: Small, opposite, leathery, with entire margins.

Flowers: Small, fragrant clusters, white to pale blue.

Ecology: Attracts bees and butterflies.

Ethnobotany: Used for soap (flowers) and tools (hard wood).

Mock heather

Ericameria ericoides (coastal dune scrub)

Leaves: Needle-like, alternate, resinous texture.

Flowers: Yellow daisy-like blooms.

Ecology: Sand stabilizer, attracts pollinators.

Silver dune lupine

Lupinus chamissonis (coastal dune scrub)

Leaves: Palmate, silvery with soft hairs.

Flowers: Purple to blue in dense spikes.

Ecology: Nitrogen fixer; larval host for butterflies.

Coastal buckwheat

Eriogonum parvifolium (coastal dune scrub)

Leaves: Small, oval, and hairy on undersides.

Flowers: Pink to white clusters that turn rust-colored with age.

Ecology: Vital for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Wild cucumber

Marah fabacea (CDS, CS, riparian, woodlands)

Leaves: Palmate with lobes, tendrils for climbing.

Fruit: Spiky green gourds.

Ecology: Pollinated by insects; toxic seeds.

Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry

Ribes speciosum (CDS, CS, chaparral, woodlands)

Leaves: Lobed with toothed edges.

Flowers: Red, tubular, attracts hummingbirds.

Ecology: Spiny stems deter herbivores.

Morro manzanita

Arctostaphylos morroensis (maritime chaparral)

Leaves: Oval, dull green, alternate.

Bark: Smooth, reddish.

Flowers: White to pink urn-shaped clusters.

Ecology: Endemic to Morro Bay; drought-tolerant.

Lace lichen

Ramalina menziesii (epiphyte/pygmy oak woodland)

Appearance: Pale green, web-like fronds.

Ecology: Sensitive to air pollution; indicator species.

Chamise

Adenostoma fasciculatum (maritime chaparral, chaparral)

Leaves: Needle-like, resinous, clustered at nodes.

Flowers: Small, white in dense clusters.

Ecology: Fire-adapted with resprouting ability.

Sticky monkeyflower

Diplacus aurantiacus (coastal scrub)

Leaves: Opposite, sticky texture, oval.

Flowers: Tubular, orange; attracts hummingbirds.

Toyon

Heteromeles arbutifolia (CS, chaparral, oak woodland)

Leaves: Serrated edges, leathery.

Flowers: White clusters; berries turn red in winter.

Ecology: Food source for birds and mammals.

Redberry

Rhamnus crocea (oak woodland, chaparral)

Habitat: Oak woodland, chaparral.

Leaves: Small, alternate, shiny.

Fruit: Bright red berries.

Ecology: Attracts birds, drought-tolerant.

California buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum (CS, chaparral)

Leaves: Small, narrow, clustered with rolled-under margins.

Flowers: White to pink clusters; darkens with age.

Ecology: Important nectar source.

Goldback fern

Pentagramma triangularis (oak woodland, riparian)

Leaves: Triangular, delicate, green with black stems.

Ecology: Prefers shaded, moist habitats.

Maidenhair fern

Adiantum jordanii (oak woodland, riparian)

Leaves: Fan-shaped, bright green.

Ecology: Thrives in moist, shaded environments.

Mountain mahogany

Cercocarpus betuloides (chaparral)

Leaves: Oval, with serrated upper edges.

Fruit: Long, feathery tails.

Ecology: Adapted to dry conditions.

Hummingbird sage

Salvia spathacea (oak woodland)

Leaves: Large, hairy, aromatic.

Flowers: Pink to purple, tubular; attracts hummingbirds.

Mugwort

Artemisia douglasiana (riparian, CS, oak woodland)

Leaves: Lobed, aromatic, silvery underside.

Ecology: Repels insects; medicinal use by Native Americans.

Deerweed

Acmispon glaber (CS)

Leaves: Small, trifoliate.

Flowers: Yellow turning orange with age.

Ecology: Nitrogen fixer, supports pollinators.

Chaparral pea

Pickeringia montana (chaparral)

Leaves: Evergreen, small, paired leaflets.

Flowers: Pink pea-shaped blooms.

Ecology: Thorny, nitrogen fixer.

Leather oak

Quercus durata (chaparral)

Leaves: Small, leathery, curled edges.

Ecology: Adapts to nutrient-poor soils.

Purple needle grass

Stipa pulchra (grassland, serpentine rock outcrop)

Leaves: Narrow, pointed.

Ecology: California state grass; drought-tolerant.

Wild oats

Avena spp. (grassland, anthropogenic) [Non-native]

Leaves: Flat, grass-like blades.

Flowers: Spikelets with awns.

Coast morning glory

Calystegia macrostegia (coastal scrub)

Leaves: Heart-shaped.

Flowers: Funnel-shaped, white to pink.

Ecology: Vine with climbing habit.

California poppy

Eschscholzia californica (grassland)

Leaves: Finely divided, gray-green.

Flowers: Bright orange, cup-shaped.

Morro milkvetch, loco weed

Astragalus curtipes (coastal scrub)

Leaves: Pinnate, hairy.

Flowers: Small, pale purple.

Ecology: Adapted to serpentine soils.

Coastal Scrub (CS)

- Low, aromatic, drought-deciduous shrubs

- Soft leaves compared to chaparral

- Open canopy, allowing grasses and forbs

- Found in coastal lowlands with Mediterranean climate

- Adapted to summer drought

Coastal Scrub plants

Calystegia macrostegia, Diplacus aurantiacus, Artemisia californica, Salvia mellifera, Baccharis pilularis, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Acmispon glaber, Ericameria ericoides, Lupinus chamissonis, Eriogonum parvifolium

Chaparral

- Dense, evergreen shrubland

- Sclerophyllous (hard, leathery) leaves

- Drought-adapted- Found on steep, rocky slopes

- Fire-adapted, with infrequent but intense fires

- High biodiversity, especially endemics

Chaparral plants

Pickeringia montana, Quercus durata, Cercocarpus betuloides, Ceanothus cuneatus, Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos morroensis, Hesperoyucca whipplei

Grassland

- Dominated by perennial and annual grasses

- Forbs interspersed

- Occurs on deep soils, often in valleys or rolling hills

- Highly impacted by agriculture and invasion by non-natives

Grassland plants

Stipa pulchra, Avena spp. (non-native), Eschscholzia californica

Serpentine Rock Outcrop

- Specialized for nutrient

-poor, rocky soils high in magnesium and heavy metals

- High endemism

- Sparse vegetation, often with unique flora

Serpentine Rock Outcrop plants

Stipa pulchra, Hesperoyucca whipplei, Dudleya abramsii

Oak Woodland

- Dominated by oaks (Quercus spp.)

- Multi-layered structure: canopy, midstory, understory

- Understory includes shrubs, ferns, and herbaceous plants

- Occurs in valleys and foothills

Oak Woodland plants

Heteromeles arbutifolia, Rhamnus crocea, Pentagramma triangularis, Adiantum jordanii, Salvia spathacea, Quercus agrifolia, Umbellularia californica

Riparian

- Found along streams and rivers

- Lush, water-loving vegetation

- Includes trees (sycamore, willow), shrubs, and ferns

- High biodiversity, corridors for wildlife

Riparian plants

Platanus racemosa, Salix lasiolepis, Pentagramma triangularis, Adiantum jordanii, Umbellularia californica

Coastal Dune Scrub

- Low-growing shrubs and subshrubs

- Adapted to sandy, shifting soils and salt spray

- Often found near the coast

- Includes many endemic species

Coastal Dune Scrub plants

Ericameria ericoides, Lupinus chamissonis, Eriogonum parvifolium, Marah fabacea, Ribes speciosum

Maritime Chaparral

- Subtype of chaparral- Restricted to coastal areas with fog influence

- High endemism, often with rare species

Maritime Chaparral plants

Ceanothus cuneatus, Arctostaphylos morroensis, Adenostoma fasciculatum

Anthropogenic/Disturbed

- Dominated by non-native annual grasses and weeds

- Result of human disturbance (agriculture, grazing, development)

Anthropogenic/Disturbed plant

Avena spp. (wild oats)

Non-native

Pygmy Oak Woodland

- Elfin Forest

- Dominated by non-native annual grasses and weeds

- Result of human disturbance (agriculture, grazing, development)

Pygmy Oak Woodland plant

Ramalina menziesii (epiphyte)

Chaparral info

Traits: Dense, evergreen shrubs; sclerophyllous (hard, leathery) leaves; adapted to drought, poor soils, and periodic fire.

Plant Adaptations: Deep roots, fire-stimulated germination, thick bark, small leaves to reduce water loss.

Coastal Scrub info

Traits: Low, soft-leaved, drought-deciduous shrubs; open canopy; adapted to fog, wind, and summer drought.

Plant Adaptations: Aromatic leaves, quick resprouting after disturbance, shallow roots for fog moisture.

Grassland info

Traits: Dominated by annual and perennial grasses, many forbs; deep, fertile soils; subject to grazing and disturbance.

Plant Adaptations: Rapid growth after rain, annual life cycles, wind-dispersed seeds.

Serpentine Rock Outcrop info

Traits: Thin, rocky, nutrient-poor soils high in magnesium and heavy metals; sparse, unique flora.

Plant Adaptations: Metal tolerance, slow growth, endemism, small stature.

Oak Woodland info

Traits: Multi-tiered (canopy, understory, ground layer); dominated by oaks; rich soils; moist microclimate.

Plant Adaptations: Shade tolerance, deep roots, acorn production, diverse understory plants.

Riparian info

Traits: Along streams/rivers; lush, water-loving trees and shrubs; high biodiversity.

Plant Adaptations: Tolerance of flooding, fast growth, flexible stems, large leaves for photosynthesis.

Coastal Dune Scrub info

Traits: Low, wind-pruned, salt-tolerant shrubs; sandy, shifting soils; high endemism.

Plant Adaptations: Deep taproots, hairy leaves, prostrate growth, rapid colonization of bare sand.

Maritime Chaparral info

Traits: Fog-influenced shrubland; high endemism; often restricted to coastal ridges.

Plant Adaptations: Fog capture, thick leaves, fire adaptation, slow growth.

Anthropogenic/Disturbed info

Traits: Dominated by non-native annuals; result of agriculture, grazing, or development.

Plant Adaptations: Rapid lifecycle, prolific seed production, disturbance tolerance.

Pygmy Oak Woodland/Epiphyte info

Traits: Stunted oaks due to poor soils or wind; supports unique epiphytes like lace lichen.

Plant Adaptations: Miniaturization, epiphytism (lichens), wind pruning.