July 16, 2026 Regional Parks Botanic Garden Mountain Adventure
The Botanic Garden is so varied that it holds interest throughout the seasons. Although past the flush of wildflowers, many of our California native plants sourced from throughout the state were still in bloom or had showy fruiting bodies. Anna’s planning and presentations were so informative and enjoyable. She focused on plant adaptations to summer sun, heat, and drought. We enjoyed learning botanical tidbits about specific plants and wish we could remember many of the details she provided! It was fun to watch Lynne taking copious notes; she’ll be leading trips soon. Kurt offered additional perspectives on plants, their adaptations, and Native American uses of them.
horsetail, checker bloom, yerba mansa in pond Ann Elliott
Equisetum arvense, Common horsetail, Sidalcea setosa, Bristly checker bloom, Anemopsis californica, Yerba mansa
Eriogonum crocatum, Conejo buckwheat Ann Elliott
Eriogonum crocatum, Conejo buckwheat
Anna and Sarah Ann Elliott
Anna describes the Clarkia
Cephalanthus occidentalis button willow Ann Elliott
Cephalanthus occidentalis button willow
Clarkia sp Ann Elliott
Clarkia gracilis ssp. albicaulis, White stemmed clarkia
Verbena hastata blue vervain Ann Elliott
Verbena hastata blue vervain
Tsuga heterophylla Western hemlock Ann Elliott
Tsuga heterophylla Western hemlock
so much to see Ann Elliott
So much to see!
Erythranthe erubescens, California Blushing Monkeyflower (formerly Lewis’s Monkeyflower/Erythranthe lewisii) Ann Elliott
Erythranthe erubescens, California Blushing Monkeyflower (formerly Lewis’s Monkeyflower/Erythranthe lewisii)
Anna with visual Ann Elliott
Anna with visual
Cornus sericea red twig dogwood Ann Elliott
Cornus sericea red twig dogwood
Anna Ann Elliott
Clintonia andrewsiana blue button Ann Elliott
Clintonia andrewsiana, Western bluebead lily
Anemopsis californica yerba mansa Ann Elliott
Anemopsis californica – yerba mansa Photo by Ann Elliott
Brodiaea californica Ann Elliott
Brodiaea californica var. californica, California Brodiaea
Polygala sp. bush milkwort Ann Elliott
Polygala cornuta var. fishiae, Fish’s milkwort
Malacothamnus sp. bushmallow Ann Elliott
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nesioticus, Santa Cruz Island bush mallow
phot shots everywhere Ann Elliott
Lilium pardalinum leopard lilies Ann Elliott
Lilium pardalinum – leopard lilies at Regional Parks botanic Garden Photo by Ann Elliott
Lynne’s careful observation and note taking Ann Elliott
Lynne’s careful observation and note taking
July 27, 2026 Miwok Park Ramble, Novato
A small and splendid group toured the native plant garden at the Museum of the American Indian, walked under the shade of numerous bay laurels, then walked along Novato Creek, observing invasive Cape ivy, Delairea odorata and invasive, though admittedly yummy, edible fig, Ficus carica, as well as California beeplant and the white fruits of snowberry, Symphoricarpos albus. We also observed Poison Oak, Toxicodendron diversilobum, in many forms (fun fact: poison oak is the most numerous and widespread shrub in Marin, per Marin Flora). We crossed the bridge, admired Oregon Ash and blue elderberry, then looped through the trail by the Archery Range Building, where we were delighted to find some black oak, Quercus kelloggii. Attendees shared their experiences and knowledge regarding gardening with natives, as well as invasive plant control. Good times!
wild cucumber seed pod Stacey Pogorzelski
wild cucumber seed pod Photo by Stacey Pogorzelski
July 31, 2026 Bothin Marsh
Eva led the group to this accessible saltwater marsh along Richardson Bay in Mill Valley. Read more about projects at the marsh.
Distichlis spicata-Limonium californicum Association at Bothin Marsh p
Distichlis spicata-Limonium californicum Association at Bothin Marsh
Pt Reyes birds beak w Limonium californicum Ann Elliott
Pt. Reyes birds beak
July 24, 2026 Bay Model Demonstration Garden Work Day
Report from Kate Lipman, Garden Steward
We had a great volunteer weeding day at the Bay Model, thanks to the rangers including us in the Google Give Back Day. We had six Google young people helping us. Between Caroline, me and the weed cheat sheets I made, they figured out what to pull and what to leave. They seemed very happy with the experience and the education they received. Join us September 25 at 10 am.
Bay Model Demonstration Garden vol 1
Bay Model Demonstration Garden vol 2
Bay Model Demonstration Garden Brochure p1
