field botany field trip blog

Date: May 3, 2022

Location: Mt. Tamalpais east peak (37.921242, -122.568187) , Mt. Tamalpais serpentine site (37.908863, -122.614644)

Site description: The east peak overlooks the evergreen forest in Mt. tam. Along the trail it is mostly chaparral plants consisting of coyote brush and manzanitas. The trail is a paved loop that has views of the entire bay area. The serpentine site consists of many tolerators and endemics. There are smaller plants and grasses. We saw mostly poppies and some jewel flowers. 

Species observations:

Species 1:Tomcat clover, family Fabaceae, Trifolium willdenovii

Species 2: Creeping Snow Berry, Family Ericaceae, Gaultheria hispidula

Creeping snowberry is a  perennial plant. The leaves are round and only 5 to 10 millimeters long. The stems form leafy mats that cree[, often near moss. The stems and under-surface of the leaves are covered with brown bristles. Sometimes the leaf margins and fruits have the bristles too. Flowers appear in the spring, and are white, four-parted, on short backward-curving stalks from the leaf axils. The flowers develop into small white berries.

Species 3: Lace Lip, Myriopteris gracillima, Family Pteridaceae

The stems are  short-creeping, 4-8 mm in diameter. The leaves are in clusters of 5-25 cm long and 1-2.5 cm broad.  The upper surface has dispersed and branched hairs or glabrescent. The underside of brightly colored like the gold back fern.

Inaturalst observations:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116326500

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116326562

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116326589

 

Narrative: There was a plaque overlooking the laugenitias lake (didn’t know there was another lake!!!)  that had my name on it. Apparently I’m some dead guy’s wife. Mt Tam is so huge and it was interesting to see the whole area fom the tallest peak. It kinda scares me because I definitely could get lost if I’m not careful. I wish I could swim in the lakes they look nice. 

 

Additional media:

Date: 26 April 2022

Location: Ring Mountian Preserve, (37.912975, -122.495646)

Site Description: Open grasslands, hills, predominantly grasses, serpentine rock

Species descriptions:

Species 1: Naked Buckweat, Eriogonum nudum, family Polygonaceae

This plant is tall and bare and appears leafless. The leaves are near the bottom and have a bright color on the underside that is aslo hairy. The leaves are flat. The flowers have a superior ovary and are arranged in a rounded inflorescence. This plant is a host to many butterflies. 

Kingdom: Plantae 

Order:caryophyllales

Family:Polygonaceae

Genus: Eriogonum 

Species:Eriogonum nudum

Species2 : Marin flax, Hesperolinon congestum Family Linaceae  

Marin flax grows on serpentine soils in dry grasslands. The flowers are congested aat the tip of branching stems. This is a rare endemic, however it is prevalent on ring mountain. This plant is a dicot. The leaves are alternate and linear. The inflorescsen is dense. The flowers are hairy with 3-8 petals. 

Kingdom: Plantae 

Order:Malpighiales

Family:Linaceae  

Genus: hesperolinon

Species: Hesperolinon congestum

Species3: Coffee fern, Pellaea andromedifolia, family Pteridaceae

This plant has leaves that are rounded or oval shaped in segments. The leaves are green or reddish brown. This species grows in between rocks and can grow to be 10 inches tall. 

Kingdom: Plantae 

Class: Polypodiopsida

Order:Polypodiales

Family:Pteridaceae

Genus: Pellaea

Species:P. andromedifolia

Inaturalist Observations:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115178831

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115178780

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115178880

 

Narrative: I loved seeing snakes!!!!! I thought it was very funny to see everyone running away and scared (I would be too if I saw a snake unexpectedly) but once we realized it was friendly I just wanted to say hi. In n Out was delicious and it was cool to meet baby paul. She is so pretty!!! I thought this fieldtrip was going to be lame because it was just a big open grassy area but I was ppleasently surprised and I enjoyed it. I liked the big rock thatwe climbed on. 

G-9741: prof sliding down big rock 

 

 

Date: 4/19/22

Location: cataract falls trail, mt tam, (37.9379, -122.6383) 

Site description: This site is predominantly a redwood forest surrounding a series of waterfalls leading into a reservoir. There are many lilies and trillium at the base of the redwoods. There are also some tan oaks in the breaks in the canopy. 

Species descriptions:

Species 1: Redwood sorrel, Family Oxalidaceae, Oxalis oregana

Leaves of this species are basal and clover-like. The petioles have long brown hairs. The single flower rises above the leaves on a stock. The petals are pink or purple or white. This species lives below redwoods and therefore can survive in lower light densities. This plant has high levels of vitamin C. 

Kingdom: Plantae 

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order:Geraniales

Family:Oxalidaceae

Genus: Oxalis

Species:Oxalis oregana

Species 2: Western star flower, Trientalis borealis, Family Primulaceae

The leaves of this plant are simple and occur in a whirl. They are different sizes and form a star. The stocks are very small or absent and are finly toothed. The flowers occur in a single bloom and are small and white with five to nine petals. 

Kingdom: Plantae 

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Primulales

Family: Primulaceae

Genus: Trientalis

Species: Trientalis borealis

Species 3: Inside out flower, Vancouveria planipetala, Family 

The stem of this flower is mostly underground. The patch of basal leaves are round and heart shaped with long red petioles. The inflorescence is an erect peduncle. The flowers have six inner drooping sepals that look like petals. They are refelxed. The true petals are white or purple and flat. There are six stamens and a large ovary. 

Kingdom: Plantae 

Order: Ranunculales

Family: berberidaceae 

Genus: Vancouveria

Species: Vancouveria planipetala

Inaturalist observations:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112193961

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112193960

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112193958

 

Narrative: This site had beautiful waterfalls! The whole time all I wanted to do was jump in and go swimming. Even though it was cold I was glad I got to stick my feet in and wade around. It was cool to see deer on the drive through all the rolling hills of Mt. Tam. The mountain really goes on forever. It’s so much bigger and more intricate than I imagined.

 

Date: April 12,2022

Location: Big rock (38.0563, -122.6581) 

Site description: This site is an open grassland with rolling hills. The area has been used as cow pasture so it has been very trampled and grazed. The dominant species are grasses. The trees in the valley of the hills are mostly coast live oaks. There is a big rock. 

Species descriptions: 

Species1: Lupinus microcarpus, Chick Lupine, Family Fabaceae

Chick lupin is an annual plant that can grow up to two feet wide. The leaves are palmately compound with many leaflets. Flowers can be many colors and are bilaterally symmetrical. The flowers are produced in a whorl. The chick lupin at this site had white flowers. 

Kingdom:plantae 

Order:fabales 

Family: fabaceae 

Genus: Lupinus 

Species: L. microcarpus 

Species2:Nemophila menziesii, baby blue eyes, Family Boraginaceae 

This annual herb is common to california. The flowers bloom in spring. This species hosts multiple moth species. There are five petals that make a bowl shaped flower with white centers. The branches and leaves are hairy. Lower leaves are lobed and opposite. Upper leaves are sessile. 

Kingdom: Plantae

Order:Boraginales

Family:Boraginaceae 

Genus: Nemophila 

Species: N. menziesii 

Species3: Common Fiddleneck, Amsinckia intermedia, family boraginaceae 

The terminal flowering whorl is violin shaped with yellow or orange flowers. This plant is an annual herb that hosts two moths. The stem and leaves are hairy and bristly. The stigma is often oppressed. 

Kingdom:Plantae 

Order: Boraginales 

Family:Boraginaceae 

Genus:Amsinckia 

Species: A. menziesii 

Inaturalist Observations:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/111347894

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/111347895

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/111347896

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/111248083

Narrative:

The whole trip I was waiting to encounter a cow. I am so excited that finally on our way back to the cars we saw multiple cows crazing. Highlight of the trip. I like the cows that are all black with a white face because they look like no face from spirited away. The caterpillar I brought home (paul) is doing well and enjoying his new home in my room. He loves to munch on CA bee plant. I think he is starting to form a chrysalis to turn into a butterfly. He has attached himself to the mesh on top of his cage with some spiderweb looking stuff.   

Additional media:

    

Date:April 5, 2022

location: Edgewood Park, (37.4648, -122.2817)

Site description: Edgewood park is a combination of serpentine grasslands and oak woodlands. Edgewood also has chaparral, coastal scrub, and wetlands. The dominant species are grasses, oaks, and shrubs. 

Species descriptions:

Species 1:Calochortus albus, White fairy lantern, Family Liliaceae

This Monocot species has erect and arching stems. The leaves are cauline and basal. Three satin like petals that are pink and white in color emerge during flowering. This plant can be found in woodlands and chaparral. This species is a host plant for the orange tortrix moth. 

Kingdom:Plantae

Order:Liliales

Family:liliaceae 

Genus: Calochortus 

Species: C. albus 

Species 2: Delphinium variegatum, Royal Larkspur, family Ranunculaceae

Royal larkspur is endemic to california. The leaves are deeply lobed. The petioles are hairy. The deep blue and purple flowers have a spur that sticks out. The flowers are arranged in a branching cluster. This species is a perennial herb that can grow to three feet tall. 

Kingdom:Plantae

Order:Ranunculales

Family:Ranunculaceae

Genus:Delphinium

Species:D. variegatum

Species 3: Leptosiphon parviflorus, Family Polemoniaceae

This dicot herb is native to california. The leaves are lobed and obovate. The flower has a head inflorescence that is hairy. The flowers can be a variety of colors including white, pink, yellow, or purple. The stems are often short and small. 

Kingdom:Plantae

Order:Ericales

Family:Polemoniaceae

Genus:Leptosiphon

Species:L. parviflorus

 

Inaturalist observations:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/111131380

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/111131379

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/111130917

 

Narrative:

This is one of the best places we have been. The rolling grass hills look like the teletubbies show (very iconic to 90s and 2000s kids). The woodlands look like they are out of a fairy tale. Even though the only view was of the freeway, the site itself and the flowers we saw were very beautiful. It was interesting to see honey bees in a tree. I bet it was a swarm that recently moved in. I hope they aren’t taking resources away from the natiev bees in the area. 

 

Additional media:

      

Date: March 22, 2022    

Location: Marin headlands (37.8338, -122.4943)

Site description: We went to several sites on this trip. The first site was off of Julian trail in the Marin headlands. It was mostly chaparral with shrubs as the dominant species. The second site was further down a trail that was off an east facing cliff. The dominant species in this area were fennel, smaller flowers, and some shrubs. Where there were areas of runoff in the crevasse in the cliff, there were some ferns and other water loving species. The third area was a south facing cliff face that was an area of water collection. This area had both shrubs and monkey flowers. 

Species descriptions:

Species 1:Blue eyed grass, Family Iridaceae, Sisyrinchium bellum

Blue eyed grass is a monocot species and is not actually a true grass. These plants are low growing with long leaves. It is normally found in grassy areas. Flowers are small and blue with six petals. 

Kingdom:Plantae

Order:Asparagales

Family:Iridaceae

Genus:Sisyrinchium

Species:S. bellum

Species 2: Cow Parsnip, Family Apiaceae, Heracleum maximum

This species has a strong umbel inflorescence that can be up to two feet wide. The leaves are palmately compound with many deeply lobed leaflets. The stem and leaves are hairy. This plant requires more water so it is often found on stream edges. 

Kingdom:Plantae

Order:Apiales

Family:Apiaceae

Genus:Heracleum

Species:H. maximum

Species 3: Rock Phacelia, Family Boraginaceae, Phacelia californica

This species has branching stems that are hairy and rough. The dense flower cluster blooms in a whorl pattern. The individual flowers are small and purple and bell shaped. This species is known as a food source for the mission blue butterfly. 

Kingdom: Plantae

Order:Boraginales

Family:Boraginaceae

Genus:Phacelia

Species: P. californica

Inaturalist observations:

​​https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/110117966

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/110118011

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/110118035

 

Narrative:

I enjoyed this field trip because I have been to the site before. The fire road is one of my favorite places to watch the sunset from because you can see both the sun dip below the hills and the ocean. There’s also many flowering plants which is very exciting. I haven’t been there at this time of the year so it was cool to see flowering species I don’t normally see in that area. I also saw a cool bug that looked like a dinosaur. 

I spent time studying rather than completing this one time and I regret it. I should have done this before the exam because multiple of the species I took pictures of were on the field exam. Either way, I now have learned the plants from this trip which is my goal for the class. I’d rather learn the plants at my pace so that they stick for life rather than memorizing and regurgitating for an exam. Learning native plants is important in my work to ensure native pollinators needs are met before introducing honeybees to an area. 

Additional media:

   

Date: Mar 8, 2022

Location: Mount Tamalpais, (37.8963, -122.6117) 

Site Description: We visited several sites on this trip. It was sunny with little wind. Most were open grassy areas with rolling hills. Larger trees and shrubs resided in the valleys of these hills where water would collect. The majority of the trees were oak, douglas fir, and pines. There were areas of serpentine soil that had both serpentine specialists and tolerants. Most of the plants in serpentine regions were shrubs or shorter plants. In the grassy areas, we saw many poppies and tall grasses. 

Species descriptions:

Species 1: Sky Lupin, Lupinus nanus, Family Fabaceae

This species is a smaller lupin that is natove to the western United States. It can be found in grassy chaparral clearings. This plant has blue flowers that are bilaterally symmetrical. The leaves are palmately compound. It is an annual plant. 

Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae

Class:Magnoliopsida 

Order:Fabales 

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Lupinus 

Species 2:Ceanothus jepsonii, Family Rhamnaceae

This species is a dicot shrub that is endemic to california. It is often found in serpentine soils. The flowers are clusters that present as blue or purple. The leaves are firm and toothed with opposite arrangement. This plant is woody. 

Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae

Order:Rosales

Family: Rhamnaceae

Genus: Ceanothus

Species 3:Cobweb Thistle, Cirsium occidentale, Family Asteraceae

This plant looks like an artichoke. The leaves are spiky and extend from the base of the stem. They have toothed edges. The leaves are silver in color. At the top of the stem, there is a flower head(sometimes several). The head consists of disc florets. Flowers can be red, purple, or yellow. 

Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae

Order:Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Cirsium

 

Inaturalist observations:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109235781

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109235752

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/108201650

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/109235789

 

Narrative:

I enjoyed this field trip. It was exciting to go to multiple sites in one trip. The area was very beautiful and I would definitely go back. I kept getting distracted by the pretty rocks and bugs. I especially liked the fluffy orange ant I saw because it looks like pom poms. 

 

Additional media:

IMG_9426

Date 3/1/22

Location: San Pedro Valley Park, (37.5782, -122.4755)

 Site description: This area is hills of chaparral and manzanita forests with a riparian zone at the bottom of the valley. The dominant species include eucalyptus and manzanita. The sunny hills are mostly dry. There is a waterfall that is barely trickling down the side of the cliff. The stream in the riparian zone is little, but does have running water. We went on a sunny day with few clouds. 

Species Descriptions:

Species 1: Trillium albidum, Family Melanthiaceae

This plant is antive to the northwestern United States and northern california. It is a perennial herb with a whorl of three leaves that are green with some spots. Each stem has one flower with three petals and three sepals. This plant can grow up to 2 feet tall and is seen as white, pink, or purple. 

Species 2: Coast live Oak, Quercus agrifolia, family Fagaceae

This plant is an evergreen oak growing on the coast of california. This tree can reach up to 25 meters high. The trunk is seen as gnarled. Leaves are dark green oval shaped, with spiny leaf margin. Flowers can be seen as catkins. This plant is found in well draining soils of coastal hills. 

Species3: Ocean Spray, Holodiscus discolor, Family Rosaceae

This shrub is native to western North america. It can grow to be five meters tall. The leaves are alternate, lobed, and small. White and yellow flowers cascade down. The fruit is hairy and wind dispersed. This plant can be seen on rocky slopes and open spaces. 

INaturalist Observations: 

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/108188382

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/108188398

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/108188411

 

Narrative: This field trip was a workout. The hike was long and mostly uphill. I was overdressed due to the fact that field trip 2 was so cold. I ended up shedding all my layers and having to carry many jackets the whole hike. I also made a silly mistake and grabbed poison oak. Luckily I did not have a reaction, however I am now scared to touch plants. I am still highly motivated by candy but need to refine my ID skills. 

 

Additional media:

Date 2/22/22

Location: Battery-to-bluffs trail, The Presidio, 37.7968, -122.4789

Site Description: Coastal shrub and Chaparral land of rolling hills above a cliff leading to the ocean. Area is dry but in valleys there are small creeks leading down to the ocean. The dominant species are coastal shrubs such as beach blue lupin. The soil is sandy. There is lots of sunlight, however it could be an area that experiences a lot of fog. Very windy area. There are some serpentine soil areas. 

Species Descriptions:

Species 1: California Bee plant, Scrophularia californica, Family Scrophulariaceae

The California bee plant is a flowering plant native to the western United States. It has blue green leaves in opposite pairs on a squared stem. The small flowers are red/brown in color with hollow buds and two upper lobes. Bees like this plant. It can grow up to 4 feet tall and has a fast growth rate. It flowers in the winter and spring. 

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Lamiales

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Genus: Scrophularia

Species: S. californica

Species 2: Sticky Monkey flower, Diplacus aurantiacus, Family Phrymaceae

This is a flowering plant with yellow flowers. Native to California. The leaves are deep green and sticky and  are 3-7 cm long. The flowers are tubular and have five lobes. The plant can grow up to five feet tall and five feet wide. It is an evergreen that flowers in the spring and summer. 

Kingdom:Plantae

Order:Lamiales

Family: Phrymaceae

Genus: Diplacus

Species: D. aurantiacus

Species 3: Seaside Daisy, Erigeron glaucus, Family Asteraceae

This California native wildflower is pink/ purple in color with a yellow disk florets in the center. It is commonly found on coastal bluffs. The stems are branching and nodding that can be seen hairy or hairless. The base of the stem has thick rounded leaves. It is a perennial herb that can grow a foot high. It has a fast growth rate and is an evergreen plant. This plant flowers in the winter, spring, and summer. 

Kingdom:Plantae

Order:Asterales

Family:Asteraceae

Genus:Erigeron

Species:E. Glaucus

INaturalist Observations: 

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107711817

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107711861

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107711895

 

Narrative:

This trip was very cold. The trail was also closed so we had to access it from two different sides. On one side it was mostly sandy and facing the ocean. On the other side it was hidden behind a hill and had many cypress and pines. There were alot of stairs overlooking the ocean which gave me a good workout. Fortunately it was sunny rather than foggy. I am highly motivated by candy to answer questions about plants we see. 

Additional media:

Field trip blog 

 

Date: 2/15/22 

 

Location: 37.939417, -122.563391 

Crown Road Trailhead, Baltimore Canyon 

 

Site description: Site consists of a redwood forest at the bottom of a valley running along a creek. There are many redwoods and ferns along the creek. The upper area and fire road consists of chaparral containing oaks and madrones along with many bush like plants. This area is dry and has lots of sunlight. The redwood forest is very damp and has very little sunlight due to the dense canopy cover. 

 

Species descriptions and digital collections(3): 

 

Species 1: Bush Poppy, Dendromecon rigida, family Papaveraceae

The bush poppy is a native shrub to california that usually reaches up to 3 meters tall. This species has alternate narrow leaves that have a finely toothed margin. This plant is an evergreen. Flower clusters are solitary and terminal. Flowers have 4 petals each with two staples and many stamens.  NO fruits were observed at this time, however have been observed to be cylindric with black seeds. Found on south facing cliff sides right off of the trail. 

Taxonomy: 

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade:Tracheophytes

Clade:Angiosperms

Clade:Eudicots

Order: Ranunculales

Family: Papaveraceae

Genus: Dendromecon

Species: D. rigida

Species 2: Coastal sagebrush, Artemisia californica, Family Asteraceae

This plant can be found in the chaparral regions of california. This shrub branches form the base and creates a round shape that can be 1 to 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide. . Stems are slender and hairless. Leaves are thread-like and are smaller than 5cm long. The leaves are hairy and gray. Margins curl under. The disk-like flowers are seen on steep slope number 15-30 while the pistillates are seen from 6 to 10. This plant is extremely drought tolerant. Leaves have a strong fragrance. 

 

Taxonomy: 

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Anthophyta

Class: Dicotyledoneae

Order:Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Artemisia

 

Species 3: California Buckeye, Aesculus californica, Family Sapindaceae

This tree can grow 4 to 12 meters tall. It is normally seen multi-trunked with gray bark with lichen or moss. The leaves have a finely toothed margin and are dark green with five leaflets that are 6-17 cm long. Fruits are toxic. Flowers are normally white. 

Taxonomy: 

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Sapindales

Family: Sapindaceae

Genus: Aesculus

Species: A. californica

iNaturalist observations:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107264974

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107264916

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107264904

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107264883

Narrative: The trip consisted of a four mile hike beginning on a fire road in a chaparral and ending in the redwood forest valley. The weather was sunny, but cold in the shade. There was very little water in the creek in the valley. 

Additional photos or media: