Saturday, March 18, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Marin CNPS and the Milo Baker Chapter will join forces for a serpentine and fire ecology plant walk at the Modini Mayacamas Preserve. We are fortunate to have ACR botanist Sherry Adams as our guide. This outing will specifically focus on a serpentine area where Sherry will point out plants that are uncommon or entirely absent from Marin County, including needlemat galium (Galium andrewsii), Brewer’s milkvetch (Astragalus breweri, CNPS list 4), St. Helena morning glory (Calystegia collina ssp. oxyphylla, CNPS list 4), flame ragwort (Packera greenei), knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa).We hope there will also be some St. Helena fawn lilies (Erythronium helenae, CNPS list 4) in bloom as well as Napa lomatium (Lomatium repostum, CNPS list 4). We do have a good chance for variable linanthus (Leptosiphon parviflorus), little spring beauty (Claytonia exigua), California plantain (Plantago erecta), birds-eye gilia (Gilia tricolor), vari-leaved collomia (Collomia heterophylla), and baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii var. atomaria). Sonoma clarkia (Clarkia gracilis ssp. sonomensis), uncommon jewelflower (Streptanthus glandulosus ssp. glandulosus), and goosefoot violet (Viola purpurea ssp. quercetorum) are some others we might see.
Because the entire Preserve burned in 2004, Sherry will discuss post-fire regeneration of plants with different fire adaptation strategies. The planned route is less than three miles along fire roads, with a bit of climbing but at a relaxed botanizing pace.
Please sign up for this trip by emailing Carolyn Longstreth at cklongstreth@gmail.com so we can let the Preserve know how many to expect.
We will meet at 8 a.m. at the Smith Ranch Road Park-N-Ride or at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Pine Flat Rd. and Red Winery Rd. in Healdsburg. The group will leave extra vehicles at the latter site and carpool the rest of the way into the Preserve. All Preserve visitors are encouraged to use a stiff brush to remove mud and seeds from footwear and pant cuffs. Sherry will have one available at our meetup spot.
The preserve plant list is posted at http://files.meetup.com/7090732/MayacamasMtnsSanctuaryPlants%20.pdf.
Dress in layers; bring sun hat, sunscreen, lunch, and water.
For more information and to sign up, contact cklongstreth@gmail.com. Heavy rain cancels. Hope to see you there!
Leader: Sherry Adams