Date: 4/6/2017
Location: Edgewood County Park (Coordinates: 37.4737° N, 122.2786° W – Elevation: ~300-800 ft.)
Site Description:
Edgewood County Park is a nature preserve located in East Bay. The main trail consists of a gradual ascent through coast live oak and California bay plants, until an open grassland is reached. We were relatively sheltered from the wind during the ascent, explaining much of the higher foliage. Eventually, once we entered the open grasslands, we were quickly besought by winds and thus we started to observe the presence of more low-lying plants atypical of an open grassland. Once we arrived at this segment, Coconut weed was found in abundance on the dirt trail we followed. The Edgewood County Park grasslands are known for their serpentine nature, making many of the plants endemic to California. In the Spring, the County Park boasts of majestic wildflower display, making this location frequently visited by hikers, joggers and travelers.
Species Description:
1. ) Pentagramma triangularis (Family: Pteridaceae), going by its common-name “Gold back fern”, is a fern native to California and is especially distinguished by its golden underside, making its name apt. Its given its genus name because “Penta” means 5, while “gramma” means lined. Thus, the Gold back fern is a five-lobed, triangular fern. It tends to grow around rocky creviceds along slopes. Its blades are 2-3 pinnate, 2-8 cm long. Sporangia are sometimes found along veins, segment margins are unmodified, and sometimes recurved.
2.) Dryopteris arguta (Family: Dryopteridaceae), going by its common-name “Wood fern”, is particularly noted for its silver-like sori. Its blade is lanceolate, 1-2 pinnate, and has equal length sides. Segments are deeply pinnately lobed, or not. Sori are round, with round indusium. This species is not native to California – it is found worldwide; especially in Eastern Asia.
3) Now, as a genus-ambassador to the Ribes genus I proudly present to you…Ribes menziesii (Family: Grossulariaceae), which goes off its common-name “Canyon gooseberry”. I was aware beforehand that some members of the Ribes would be found at this excursion location, but Dr. Paul also forewarned me that they would be difficult to find since the plants are flowerless and barely peek their fruit around April. Nevertheless, due to some “eagle-eyed” observation and some luck, I managed to land my eyes on Canyon gooseberry. Like all members of the Ribes family, it is particularly characterized by its nodal spines that protrude out at a 90 degree angle from the stem. It also has simple palmate leaves, which is true to most of the Ribes genus. Ribes fruit (if observable) is also prominent, as they sport dense stiff spikes (as seen in the photo below). If the flowers are observable, expect them to have reflexed sepals. This genus/species is only found in California and Oregon. Also, a fun-fact is that their fruits are edible (even if they look extremely dangerous), but they are often not picked because of their difficulty of being picked.
Excursion Narrative:
The trip first started off with us actually finding our methods of transportation – because the white van was present in the parking lot! After some minor traffic and about 45 minutes, we arrived at the country park and promptly began the start of our trip! Our excursion began with a “gentle” climb along a path that featured many fern species we hadn’t encountered previously – such as the Gold back fern and the wood fern. Coast live oak was also found in abundance, as well as Poison Oak. Poison oak was especially disguised as it didn’t have its usual “violet spotted” look – instead, the variants we encountered were entirely green and were sporting their flowers. Also, I had the pleasure as the Ribes genus ambassador of successful locating one of my key species – Ribes menziesii…one of my prouder botany moments! And since I was starving, it was well-timed as I got myself a “debbie-downer” out of it!
“…what is James doing over there?”
Once the climb had ended and we exited the foliage, we happened onto an open grassland which was relatively flat and exposed. The winds were heavy here, and while it wasn’t raining at that point above us, the winds pushed rain from a far off distance into our faces. Here, we encountered many more low-lying species. Many of the species we did encountered were extremely small, which made it difficult for me to capture them with my camera. Moreover, it was difficult to maintain them in memory due to their smaller stature – so Dr. Paul advised us to glean off their “big picture” characteristics.
Some “Indian ruins” we happened upon
Finally, after we had been introduced to many many species and time was running short, the group decided that we had enough and started traveling back to our cars. It was with good timing too – because just after we got back, it started raining like crazy!
Glad we left before it started pouring…look at those clouds!
Other Encountered Species:
