A large group led by Amelia Ryan, Botanist at Point Reyes National Seashore, explored several areas in the Bull Point area to see the plants, some rare, that are found in this seemingly unpromising part of Point Reyes. The following were some of the species seen.
Almost immediately after leaving the parking area we found the white, pink and red flowered Leptosiphon parviflorus “var. rosaceus” (Small-flowered Leptosiphon), Chorizanthe cuspidata var. villosa (sand spine-flower LIST 1B.2), Horkelia marinensis (Point Reyes Horkelia LIST1B.2), Eryngium armatum (coyote thistle), Cirsium quercetorum (brownie thistle), and Lupinus variicolor (coastal-prairie perennial lupine). A little further along the trail we found Lupinus arboreus (yellow bush lupine), and then we explored a sandy depression that was covered with a host of Leptosiphon grandiflorus (large-flowered Linanthus LIST 4.2). Next we found Agoseris apargioides var. eastwoodiae (seaside dune dandelion), Madia sativa (coastal tar-plant), Daucus pusillus (rattlesnake weed, wild carrot), and Pseudognaphalium stramineum (cotton-batting cudweed). We then proceeded to the marshier areas finding Platanthera dilatata var. leucostachys (marsh rein-orchid), Sidalcea calycosa ssp. rhizomata (Point Reyes checkerbloom LIST1B.2), Berula erecta (water parsnip), Triglochin striata (three-ribbed arrow-grass), Hypericum anagalloides (tinker’s penny), Galium trifidum ssp. columbianum (western marsh bedstraw), and Potentilla anserina ssp. pacifica (shore cinquefoil).
After the main trip some went to find the Gentiana affinis var. ovata (blue gentian) which grows near Drake’s Beach.
Thanks to Carolyn Longstreth for organizing this fine hike, and to Amelia Ryan for leading it.
Text and photos by Vernon Smith.
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