HEY GUYS! Sad to say this will be my last blog post for this semester 🥹. On May 4th, 2023 we set out on our final field trip for the semester. The destination: The breathtaking Steep Ravine Trail, that is located on the coast of Mt. Tamalpais. As we embarked on this 43-minute drive from the University of San Francisco, little did we know that we were about to immerse ourselves in a truly unforgettable experience. Undoubtedly, the trail lived up to its name, presenting us with a steep and challenging ascent. However, as always we persevered through the demanding hike, our efforts were rewarded by glimpses of vibrant California flora.

Throughout the course, being part of the USF botany class had been an immensely gratifying experience, and this field trip had undoubtedly been a highlight. Under the guidance of Professor Paul, we had not only expanded our understanding of plants and ecosystems but also formed lasting memories that would remain etched in our hearts.

With this in mind, below are some of beautiful plants we encountered on this field trip:

 

• Taxon: Acer macrophyllum
• Taxon Common Name:  Big Leaf Maple
• Parent Taxon: Sapindaceae
• Description:

  • Habit: . Leaf & Stem: Leaves are deeply five-lobed, wavy teeth, shiny, dark green on top and paler underneath Flower: Small greenish-yellow, about 3 mm, hanging in clusters at the end of twigs. Fruit: the fruit consists of two winged seeds joined at the base. Seeds are hairy, 3-6 cm long.

 

 

• Taxon: Aquilegia canadensis
• Taxon Common Name:  Red Columbine
• Parent Taxon: Ranunculaceae
• Description:

• • Habit: Perennial, up to 3 ft. tall. Leaf & Stem: compound leaves, divided into rounded-lobes threes. Flower: A nodding, red, and yellow flower, wit upward spurred petals alternating with spreading, colored sepals, and numerous yellow stamens hanging below the petals.

 

• Taxon: Urtica Dioicia
• Taxon Common Name:  Common Nettle Sting
• Parent Taxon: Urticaceae
• Description:

  • Habit: Perennial. Leaf & Stem: toothed leaves are borne oppositely along the stem, and both the stems and leaves are covered with numerous stinging and non-stinging trichomes (plant hairs). Flower: The tiny green or white flowers are born in dense whorled clusters in the leaf axils and stem tips and are wind-pollinated Fruit: the fruits are small achenes

 

 

Hey guys!! Welcome to the 7th field trip blog post. This time we went to Big Rock Mountain, which is just located an hour away from the University of San Francisco. This mountain range is north of Mount Tamalpais and near Skywalker Ranch, making it a picturesque location to explore the diverse plant species of California. On this trip, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the trail was a bit easier than I anticipated 😅. We were able to see a range of plant species, from the old to the new. I am excited to share my experience with you and I have attached some photos from the trip for you to enjoy. So sit back and relax, let’s dive into the world of botany at Big Rock Mountain!!

• Taxon:  Achillea millefolium
• Taxon Common Name:  Yarrow
• Parent Taxon: Asteraceae
• Description:

  • Habit: Perennial herb. Leaf & Stem: Lanceolate shaped leaves; Leaves are narrow and finely divided, feathery and fern-like; the leaves and/or stem are often covered in fine hairs, but not always; . Flower: Head Inflorescence; White to pink ray flowers. Fruit: Fruit is a cypselae or achene

• Taxon: Castilleja densiflora
• Taxon Common Name: Owl’s Clover
• Parent Taxon: Orobancaceae
• Description:

  • Habit: Herbaceous flowering plant. Leaf & Stem: linear or lance-shaped leaves with or without lobes. Flower: small inflorescence and has bracts tipped in white to dull or bright pink or purple; between the bracts appear the flowers, which are somewhat rounded and punched, and white to yellow to pink to purple in color  

 

• Taxon: Nemophilia Menziesii
• Taxon Common Name:  Baby Blue Eyes
• Parent Taxon: Boraginaceae
• Description:

  • Habit: Annual herb. Leaf & Stem: lower leaves are stalked, lobed and oppositely arranged; upper leaves are more or less sessile and less lobed than lower. Flower: white or blue; five-petaled, bowl-shaped flowers w/ white centers. Fruit: capsule

Hello readers! On February 16th, 2023 our Botany Class took a field trip to Laurel Dell in Mt. Tamalpais State Park, and I am excited to share my experience with you. We hiked along the Cataract Creek Trail and observed a variety of plant species in their natural habitat. I will show some species that stood out to me on this hike.

Taxon Name: Scoliopus

Taxon Common Name: Fetid adderstongue

Parent Taxon: Liliaceae

Description:

Ecology: Moist, shady redwood forest. Stem: short. Leaf: 2-3 basal, mottled, oblong-shaped, parallel venation. Inflorescence: umbel. Flower: monocot, heavily lined purple or dark brown, ill-scented (defense against predators)

Taxon Name: Polystichum minitum

Taxon Common Name: Sword Fern

Parent Taxon: Dryopteridaceae

Description: 

Ecology: found near/under redwood trees. Leaf: generally 50-120, pinnate, elliptic, alternative segments w/ alternative serrations on each segment. Sporangia: located on the bottom of each segment, linear (lines of 2 sori on each segment), brown

Taxon Name: Woodwardia fimbriata

Taxon Common Name: Chain Fern

Parent Taxon: Blechnaceae

Description: 

Ecology: located near streams & streams. Leaf: evergreen, wide at base, each segment is lobed. Sporangia: have elongated sori located underneath each lobed segment.