Field Journal #2 – Presidio


Location: 160 ft above sea level  |  37.798, -122.480  |  Presidio and Batteries to Bluffs Trail, North San Francisco

The hike began at Immigrant Point, a vista of the area with the view shown above. A coastal chaparral found in the northern edges of San Francisco. Many small trails are found throughout with major highways cutting through the area. Was previously military owned space with heavy non-native species introductions but now reclaimed and aided by restoration services for native species introductions. A few native species are described here:

 

 

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus | Blueblossom

Habit: Shrub to subshrub
Leaf: Alternate, simple, slightly denticulate, pinnate/reticulate venation with tertiary venation, apical buds, acutely obtuse, elliptical, glaborous, slightly revolute
Repro: True inflorescence, panicle, diecious, urn shape blooms to 2-lipped like corollas, raceme, apical buds
Location: Immediately off the path, grew by the open areas in sunlight

Solanum douglasii | White Nightshade

Habit: Herbaceous, low to ground, weed like
Leaf: Oblique, entire, simple, pinnate venation, glaborous, alternate, semi-lobed and crenate
Repro: Fused calyx/corolla structure with 5 stepal points, reflexed, anther covers ovary,
Location: On path steps, in part shade, hit by heavy sun, cluster and compact

Rubus ursinus | California blackberry

Habit: Shrub to subshrub, thorns, low to ground
Leaf: Palmately compound, dentate to denticulate, spotted and unspotted, pinnate venation with tertiary venation, alternate
Repro: 5 petals, many stamen, apex buds, diecious
Location: Immediately off the path, in plain sunlight, heavy sunlight, compact

Our hike was down a trail towards the beach and the back up steps place for tourism. Along the way we crossed a street which can serve as an isolating barrier for various species but volunteers were seen to be preferentially planting native species in several areas. We made a number of off trail observations and treks to get a better feel for the area and even enjoyed a bit of time right at the edge of the water. The day was warm and sunny with a mild breeze. We arrived around 1:15 pm latest and left around 4 pm. Coastal chaparrals seem quite similar to common Southern California chaparrals in terms of floral morphologies but with a lot more green plants. Still they seem to remain close to the ground and have simple medium sized leaves which makes sense for the environment. Species are growing in the typical California rock outcropping soils which are harsh and are therefore specialized for slow resilient growth.

Directions:
Take Turk St to 4th Ave
Head west on Turk St toward Beaumont Ave
Continue onto Balboa St
Continue on 4th Ave. Take Lake St to Washington Blvd
Turn right onto 4th Ave
Turn left onto Lake St
Turn right onto 14th Ave
14th Ave turns left and becomes Wedemeyer St
Continue onto Battery Caulfield Rd
Turn left onto Washington Blvd

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