Date: 3/8/18

Location: Mount Tamalpais Ridgecrest, Mount Tamalpais, Mill Valley, CA 94941

      

Site Description: The entrance to the trail began in a meadow filled with small herbaceous species and annual grasses. The predominant flowering species in this area was the brassicaceae milkmaid. The trail decreased in elevation into a riparian area in which the predominant tree species was Douglas fir which provided ground cover for several fern species. The trail increased in elevation leaving the riparian area into an open chaparral in which the predominant tree genus were Ceanothus and Arctostaphylus.

Narrative: We began our trip at the head of the trail and traveled through an open meadow filled primarily with small herbaceous species and annual grasses. We descended down the trail into a riparian area and followed a creek for a considerable amount of time, until we we entered an open area and began our final ascent into an open chaparral. Eventually, we wrapped around back to the open meadow.

Family, Genus and Species: Orchidaceae Calypso bulbosa

      

Micro-habitat: Immediately the trail in an shaded, moist area within the riparian terrain filled with detritus, small mosses and grasses.

Habit: Rhizome, single stem extending from a bulb and basal leaves.

Morphology: 

• Leaves: basal leaves, parallel venation, elliptical to ovate shape, entire leaf margin, glabrous
• Flowers: bilateral symmetry, sepals free, purple color, disorganized corona, lateral petals sepal-like, one flower, column and lip flower structure

Family, Genus and Species: Primulaceae Primula herndersonii

      

Micro-habitat: Immediately off the trail, next to and in patches within a small stream coming coming down from a small meadow filled with small grasses.

Habit: Stem with several small, rice-like flowers, extending from a small bulb.

Morphology:

• Leaves: elliptical shape, narrowed abruptly to petiole, entire or slightly denate margin
• Flowers: five petals, deep lavender, corolla lobes, fused anthers and stigma, perfect flowers

Family, Genus and Species: Rhamnaceae Ceanothus cuneatus

      

Micro-habitat: In open chaparral along a sun-exposed hillside.

Habit: Small shrub, generally ascending to spreading, twigs generally grey brown.

Morphology: 

• Leaves: elliptic blade, obovate, tip acute, entire margin, alternate
• Flowers: head-like inflorescence, white to purple flowers, pronounced anthers