Paul da Silva led an enthusiastic group to explore the plants of Abbotts Lagoon on Point Reyes National Seashore.
Along the first part of the trail we observed species of the coastal chaparral, a pond-side habitat, and the marsh area. We had lunch by the shore of the brackish lagoon, and then went into the dunes where Paul explained about the dune ecology. We then returned to the area between the two lagoons and climbed up the trail to the ridge-top.
Some of the species seen were Cirsium occidentale var. occidentale (cobweb thistle), Madia sativa (coast tarweed), Castilleja exserta ssp. latifolia (showy owl’s-clover), Sidalcea calycosa ssp. rhizomata (Point Reyes checkerbloom) List 1B.2, Solidago elongata (west coast goldenrod), Lupinus arboreus (yellow bush lupine), Stachys chamissonis (giant coastal hedge-nettle), Campanula californica (marsh harebell) List 1B.2, Anaphalis margaritacea (pearly everlasting), Grindelia stricta var. platyphylla (dune gumplant), Agoseris apargioides var. eastwoodiae (northern Ca. seaside dandelion), Eriogonum latifolium (coast buckwheat), Monardella sinuata ssp. nigrescens (wavy-leaved Monardella), Dudleya farinosa (sea-bluff stonecrop), Baccharis pilularis var. pilularis (prostrate coyote brush), Abronia latifolia (yellow sand-verbena), Piperia elegans ssp. elegans (coastal rein-orchid), Silene scouleri ssp. scouleri (Scouler’s catchfly), and Gentiana affinis var. ovata (coastal gentian).
Thanks to Paul da Silva for leading this hike, and to Susan Schlosser for organizing it.
Text and photos by Vernon Smith.
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