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Riparian Habitat
Riparian is a word that means
"with water." The little creek under the bridge
flows nearly year-round. This creates an
important water-reliant ecosystem for many
plants and animals.
Broadleaf Cattail Typha latifolia
Cattails are medium-sized water plants that
grow from Oregon to Baja and across the US.
They provide habitat for local wildlife such as
red-winged blackbirds and frogs. Each spike
contains a million wind-borne seeds.
Watercress Rorippa nasturtium-aguaticum
This edible, low-growing plant flourishes in a
riparian habitat. It has large green leaves and is
a member of the mustard family.
Arroyo Willow Salix lasiolepis
This willow has dark green leaves and pale,
gray-brown bark. It grows in the wet soils of
stream banks. The huge root system of this
strong tree anchors it, even during swift floods.
There are two other species of willow near the
pond.
California Sycamore Platanus racemosa
Sycamores are deciduous trees that can reach
75' in height and more than 200 years of age.
The trees have wide leaning trunks and broad
leaf canopies. The 4-10' long leaves are
palmate (hand-shaped), resembling maple
leaves.
Wild Cucumber Marah macrocarpus
Wild Cucumber is a vine-like perennial that
grows each year from a massive taproot. The
large leaves are heart-shaped. Straight to spiraled tendrils loop off of the stem and wrap
around other plants or objects to support the
plant off the ground. The cucumbers" are
large, green, spiny fruits which are also called
porcupine eggs. The fruit is eaten by small
mammals such as ground squirrels and
wood rats.
Australian Invasion
The tallest trees in the park are Eucalyptus
trees, native to Australia. These fast growing
trees were brought to the US to be grown for
railroad ties, but the wood was unsuitable for
this purpose. The trees thrive in our dry, mild
climate.
White Sage Salvia apiana
White sage is a common shrub in Southern
California and Baja California. The seeds of this
plant were used as a food source for Native
American groups.
Mountain Mahogany Cercocarpus ledifolius
A tall branching plant that can reach up to 10’
in height. The leathery, dark, and sticky leaves
of this plant was used for many different
medicinal purses by Native Americans.
The Plants of
Jack’s Pond
Julian Cervantes’
Eagle Scout Project
Summer 2015
Troop 651
www.troop651.net
Coast Live Oak Quercus agrifolia
This large, green leafed, tree is one of the few
species of oak native to coastal regions only
inhabiting the California coast. These trees can
live upwards of 250 years.
Cleveland Sage Salvia clevelandii
This plant is a common plant in California
coastal sagebrush ecosystems. While it is very
similar to other plants in its genus, it does
produce unique violet-blue flowers.
California Bulrush Scirpus californicus
Typically grows in 1 2' high thickets. Common
in allow marshy areas and ponds. The flowspikelets hang from the top of the stems.
he seeds, roots, and stems are important
food for mammals and birds.
Matilija Poppy Romneya coulteri
This shrub has gray-green leaves and large
flowers. The flowers resemble fried eggs with
their white petals and bright yellow centers. It
is very drought tolerant after the first year of
growth.
Coffeeberry Rhamnus californica
Coffeeberry is an evergreen, fast-growing shrub
that attracts butterflies and birds. Its dark
berries resemble coffee beans.
Lemonadeberry Rhus integrifolia
This evergreen medium-sized shrub has thick,
leathery leaves about 1-2 I /2" long.
Lemonadeberry gets its name from the lemonflavored drink that Native Americans made
from the sticky, tart fruits. This shrub provides
important habitat for wildlife.
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
Buckwheat is an evergreen shrub with narrow,
short clustered leaves. The tops of the stems
are leafless and produce white to pink flowers
from March to it. October. The dry flowers form
rust-red clusters at the end of the stalks and
feed a variety of native butterflies, caterpillars,
and moths. Harvester ants eat the small black
seeds.
Poison Oak Toxicodendron diversilobum
Poison oak is a multi-stemmed deciduous
shrub or vine that is common in shade. The
leaves are 3" long and grow in clusters of three
to five. They turn red in the fall. Poison oak can
cause severe dermatitis (itchy rash) in people
through contact via an oil covering on the
surface. If you have come in contact with
poison oak, wash the affected area and avoid
spreading it further by not handling any
clothing that may have touched the plant.
Dried or dead sticks and leaves from the plant
can also cause skin irritation.
Laurel Sumac Malosma laurina
This large evergreen shrub is a member of the
cashew family that can live to be 50 years old.
The leaves are thin, leathery and aromatic. The
leaves fold up the middle and are shaped like a
taco shell.
Black Sage Salvia mellifera
This member of the mint family has narrow
leaves that are aromatic (scented). The
lavender flowers are spaced in clusters
resembling pom-poms along the stalk, and
attract many bees and hummingbirds.
Coastal Sage Scrub
The coastal sage scrub biome is the dominant
plant group in Southern California. Thousands
of animals depend on this habitat for shelter
and food. Unfortunately, this vital plant
community is losing ground to development.
Coastal Sagebrush Artemisia califomica
Coastal sagebrush, also called California
sagebrush is not a true sage and is a member of
the sunflower family. It is drought-deciduous
(it will drop its leaves during times of little
rainfall). The feathery, gray-green leaves have
a pleasant sage-like aroma. This important
plant provides nesting habitat for the
California Gnatcatcher, an endangered bird of
the coastal sage scrub community.
Mission Manzanita Xylococcus bicolor
This evergreen shrub is found only in west San
Diego County chaparral. It grow to 10' in height
and has shredding gray-brown bark. The leaves
often curl under with age. The fruits are dark
red when ripe. The cream or pink urn shaped
flowers bloom from December to February.
Bush Monkey Flower Mimulus aurantiacus
Monkey flower is a wide drought - deciduous
shrub, with narrow dark green leaves. The redflowered form grows near coastal areas.
Hummingbirds pollinate these plants.
Chamise Adenostoma fasciculatum
Chamise or Greasewood is the most common
chaparral shrub in San Diego County. It grows
to 8' in height. The small evergreen leaves
grow in bundles and are covered in resin to
reduce water loss. It’s high resin content
causes the plant to burn easily. This plant is a
major component of the chaparral, retains soil
on the hillsides, and prevents erosion.