Location: 37.9099° N, 122.4858° W

Site Description: Ring Mountain is located in Marin County. It is an open field with many trails. Serpentine soil is found here as well.

Species Description:

Family – Asteraceae, Species – Pineapple weed (Matricaria discoedea); These are found along riverbanks. Its height is short, being around 10-30 cm. The stems branch out from the base with glaborous, sessile leaves. It has small head inflorescences that look like little pineapples.

Family – Asteraceae, Species – Q-tips (Micropus Californicus); This annual herbaceous plant is mostly found in California. Its flowers resemble little cotton balls, hence the name. There are also tiny hairs on the flower forming the pappus of each seed.

Family – Urticaceae, Species – Stinging Nettle (Urtica Diocia); This perennial herbaceous plant is found worldwide. On the leaves and stems are hollow stinging hairs called trichomes. If you touch the plant, the hairs will sting you and you will become itchy, as it injects histamine or other chemicals. The leaves are borne oppositely and have a serrated margin.

iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/158790878

Narrative: When we got to Ring Mountain, there was a ton of grass which heightened all of our allergies. It was also very hot so we had to make sure we stayed hydrated. There were a lot of cool plants and we even saw some lizards and birds in the area. On the way back down, we took a short break near turtle rock. A few of us climbed on top of the rock. The breeze was nice up there. After the tiring hike, we made a special trip to In-N-Out which was awesome. Everyone got back to the school satisfied and full.