CollectionManualtiny

Prepared by Sharon Muczynski SDSU Graduate Student

Seed Collection & Propagation ManualRestoring Chollas Creek

1 Map of Chollas Creek Site.........................1

2 Importance of Restoration.......................2

3 General Information for Seed Collect- ing, Saving, and Sowing............................3

4 Propagation Step-by-Step.......................4

5 Possible Sources of Supplies...................6

6 Budget Restoration by Seeding Dominant Species.......................................8

7 Chollas Creek Species Information.....10

8 Importance of Controlling Weeds......53

9 Weed Species at Chollas Creek............54

10 References....................................................65

Table of Contents

Cactus Wren Habitat photograph by William Cullen

1

Site Context

Radio Canyon

EncantoCanyon

Encanto Canyon

Radio Canyon

Chollas Creek Restoration Site

2

Site Context San Diego is home to an unmatched and exceedingly rich population of flora and fauna. In fact, San Diego County is the most biodiverse county in the continental United States, meaning that, in any equally sized geographic area there are more species of living things here than anywhere in the country (Lightner 2006). Over 2,000 individual species of plants are endemic to the area, and of those, plants occurring near the coast of San Diego are unique to just a small geographic area (Holland 1986) (Lightner 2006). These plants and animals only exist here, and have evolved to live in the specific microclimates of Southern California and Northern Baja California (Bakker 1994). So special are the assemblage of spe-cies in San Diego and the State of California, that this geographic region is listed in the Top Ten Biodiversity Hot Spots in the world, as determined by Conservation International. Amount of rainfall and climate determine what species of plants and animals can survive in a community (Hatch 2007). Researchers have attempted to define these communities by the dominant plant species found in each area. In Encanto and Radio Canyons the dominant plant community is Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS), specifically Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub (DCSS) (Kirkpatrick and Hutchinson 1977). Coastal Sage Scrub, the larger seaside community that extends up to Monterey County, is broadly characterized as having significant populations of shrubs less than five feet tall that are summer drought deciduous, such as: various sages, buckwheats, coyote brush, and sumacs (Wasowski 1995). The DCSS portion of CSS is only found in a thin coastal band extending from southern San Diego County down to Ensenada in Baja California where the yearly rainfall is around 200 mm (Kirkpatrick and Hutchinson 1977). In the DCSS region of Coastal Sage Scrub the dominant plants found here are Artemis-ia californica (Coastal Sagebrush), Salvia mellifera (Black Sage), Salvia apiana (White Sage), Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat), Rhus integrifolia (Lemonadeberry), Malosma laurina (Laurel Sumac), Bahiopsis laciniata (San Diego Sunflower) Lotus scoparius (Desert Lo-tus), and Mimulus aurantiacus (Bush Monkeyflower). The second community, Maritime Suc-culent Scrub (MSS) is found in small sections of Encanto Canyon. MSS differs from DCSS because this community contains succulents and cacti (Holland 1986). Only a small portion of the original area of these two important plant communities still ex-ists in Southern California, and the remaining area is rapidly being dismantled by encroach-ing urban development and by the invasion of non-native plants. Restoration of Encanto and Radio Canyons, then, becomes an important environmental objective to save the last remaining stands of endemic plants and the animals associated with them.Over 90% of original Coastal Sage Scrub has been destroyed and the remaining small frac-tion is under constant threat as human populations expand (Bowler 1990). Because the climate found in areas of DCSS is mild, rarely freezing and rarely uncomfortably warm, it is pleasant for humans, as well as, the community of plants and animals living there. This aspect makes this habitat desirable for development and threatens its continued existence. Rarer still is the Maritime Succulent Scrub contained within the DCSS. The area of this plant community was small to begin with and has experienced a precipitous decline in the last few years. Protection and restoration of these canyons will foster populations of the Cactus Wren and the threatened California Gnatcatcher, two bird species that depend on the con-tinued existence and health of these two irreplaceable ecological communities.

Importance of Preservation and Restoration of Encanto and Radio Canyons

General Information for Seed Collecting, Saving, and Sowing

Use Local Seed: It is important to collect local seed as it is adapted to the soil and conditions on the site, and there-fore, genetically superior for the site compared to seed collected elsewhere, and genetically compat-ible with local fauna.

Keep Seed Collection Dry: Keeping seed dry is critical, moisture leads to rot and fungus problems which ruin the seed batch. Collect in paper bags, dry the seed after collection and processing.

Do Not Harvest All the Seed Available: According to sources, and based on the fact that most native plants bloom and form seed for a pro-longed period of time (indeterminate), take no more than 50% of the seed from a healthy perennial (10% from a rare or conservative species) or 10% of the seed from an annual.

Seeds Should Collected at the Right Stage of Ripeness: This insures optimal germination rates. Collect when the weather is sunny and dry.

Method One: Sowing Seed for Germination: 1) Use 1020 flats for sowing seed.2) Use a dampened mixture of 2 parts peat moss or fine screened soil, 2 parts damp perlite, and 1 part horticultural sand.3) Press moist soil mix into flats, maintaining 1 inch space from the rim of the flat, tamp down with a heavy piece of wood cut to fit the interior of the flat.4) Sow seeds, and cover seeds requiring darkness with an amount of soil equal to the size of the seed (See individual species for additional instructions.)5) If sowing in a greenhouse, cover soil with a thin layer of poultry grit. Do not cover seeds that require light to germinate (See appendix for supplies and ordering.)6) Keep seed moist and out of direct sunlight. Maintain good air flow to minimize disease.7) Once germinated and with a pair of true leaves, prick out individual seedlings into soil-filled 2” x 2” plant bands and pack individual plant bands into 12” x 12” plant band trays. It would be a good idea to add mycorrhizae to the bands.8) Mist to keep trays moist; do not allow the trays to dry out.9) Sow seeds in fall to mimic natural processes.10) Most of the seeds collected do not require pretreatment. See individual species.

Method Two: Sowing Seed for Germination: 1) Follow steps 1-6 & 8-10 above, but place groups of germinated plants in soil-filled gallon pots to grow until planting size. The strongest plant will grow to maturity.

Minimizing Damping Off: Damping off is a term used to describe various fungal diseases that kill seedling plants at the soil sur-face. This can be minimized by maintaining air flow by propagating outside, by using fans, not allow-ing the soil to get too wet, topping trays with poultry grit and using sterile soil and trays.

3

Propagation Step-by-Step

4

1) Moist seed starting mix

2) Press soil into flats and tamp down

3) Sprinkle seed unto flats, and either cover with soil or not, depending on seed light germination require- ment.

4) Fill square flats with plant bands

5) Fill bands with moistened soil.

6) Prick seedlings out of flats and into plant bands. Grow to maturity and plant whole band.

5

Possible Sources for Supplies

6

Budget Restoration by Seeding Dominant Species

Seeding for Habitat Restoration: Once Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS) habitat is invaded by annual grasses and converted to a grassland ecol-ogy, it is difficult, if not improbable, that restoration efforts will be successful (Zink and Allen 1998). Consid-ering that Ehrharta calycina, a non-native grass from South Africa, has both, rapidly expanded its range in San Diego, and readily invades Maritime Succulent Scrub (MSS), and CSS areas, it seems especially critical to restore areas that have some encroachment of non-native plants, but are still viable for restoration. Studies have shown that a plant community with a 60-70% canopy cover of native plants is better able to withstand invasion by non-native plants (Goodridge 2001). The nearly 75 acres of the joined canyons is an important continuous acreage of coastal habitat that is especially valuable when considering that 70-90% of CSS habitat is gone and most of the remaining habitat is highly fragmented and of little ecological value for species that require connectivity (Taylor 2004). Keep-ing this in mind, as well as, budgetary restrictions that so often accompany rehabilitation efforts, seeding dominant species of CSS plants to initiate restoration may be an effective strategy. In the book, Terrestrial Vegetation of California, a survey of patterns in sage scrub in Southern California finds that this environment is dominated by two plants: Artemisia californica and Eriogonum fasciculatum. In an overview of CSS communities Artemisia californica is the most abundant plant with a mean cover of 46% and Eriogonum fasciculatum is second in abundance with a cover of 24%. Other plants found in this ecosystem are Salvia mellifera, Salvia apiana, Malosma laurina, and Lotus scoparius. In addition to these dominant plants, observation of Radio and Encanto Canyons also finds Baccharis salicifolia, Bahiopsis la-ciniata, and a few other plants in smaller numbers. A. californica and E. fasciculatum are valuable in the native landscape by benefiting many organisms with either nectar, forage, or nesting opportunities. Fortunately, seeds of both A. californica and E. fasciculatum germinate more successfully with the inclusion of light (Keeley 1987). Because both of the species seed germination requirements are similar, they can be seeded as a mix. The approach for restoration, then, is seeding these two species that make up the majority of the CSS community, to get the canopy cover nec-essary to discourage non-native plant recruitment. The steps for this process would include: 1) collecting seed from CSS plants in the canyons the first year. 2) As winter rains start and annual weeds emerge, pull or eradicate all non-native plants 3) Plant a seed mixture of the two species in ratios that reflect germination rate and coverage desired, and use either seed imprinting or hydroseeding to allow light to reach seeds (Montalvo et al. 2002). 4) Continue to pull weeds while desired seeded plants grow. 5) Infill with other CSS species either by seeding, planting plants, and/or by scattering cacti segments. Eriogonum fasciculatum has a low germination rate and it is also difficult to separate the seed from the persistent calyx. To compensate for that, collect the dried flower heads and just sow the calyx right along with the seeds. Figure the germination rate and adjust the ratio of seeds to reflect actual germination rate plus extra weight of chaff. The goal is a mean cover of 46% for the Artemisia and 24% for the Eriogonum. Work done by Dave Dyer and Reina O’Beck of the USDA NRCS found that there are 334,000 Eriogonum seeds per pound of unresolved seed and calyx mixed with a germination rate of 25%. They figured nine pounds of seed per acre to get good coverage. Germination rates for sown Artemisia seeds are also low at 10-30% (Young 2001). S & S Seeds figures there are 5,500,000 seeds per pound. Margot Griswold, a restora-tionist from Earthworks, Inc. uses 1.5 pounds Artemisia seed per acre in CSS restoration. Germination tests of local seed will guide final seeding rates. Studies have shown benefits to adding native mycorrhizae such as discouraging non-native invasives or assisting with establishment (Allen et al. 1989, Smith et al. 1998). Restoration groups and some native plant nurseries are routinely adding an environmentally wide spread CSS Arbuscular Mycorrhizae, such as Glomus intraradices, to the seed mixture. It is thought to help with native plant establishment (Smith et al. 1998).

8

Chollas Creek Species Information


10

56789

10111213141516171819202122232425

Adolphia californica................................................Artemisia californica...............................................Baccharis salicifolia.................................................Bahiopsis laciniata..................................................Cylindropuntia cylindrica.....................................Encelia californica.................................................Eriogonum fasciculatum....................................Ferocactus viridescens var. viridescens........Heteromeles arbutifolia......................................Isomeris arborea....................................................Lotus scoparius......................................................Lycium californicum.............................................Malachothamnus fasciculatus.........................Malosma laurina....................................................Mimulus aurantiacus...........................................Opuntia littoralis...................................................Rhus integrifolia....................................................Salvia apiana...........................................................Salvia mellifera.......................................................Sambucus mexicana............................................Simmondsia chinensis........................................

Notes:

11

Adolphia californica Adolphia

COLLECTION

WHEN: July

WHERE: Usually near water

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Reddish fruit on ends of petioles

HOW TO COLLECT: Pick fruit which contains brown nut-like seeds.

PROCESSING: White

NOTES: Rare and endangered in California. Hybridizes easily.

HEIGHT: 4 feet

WIDTH: 8 feet

FLOWERS: Small greenish-

white from March-April, fra-

FRUIT: Red three-lobed

LEAVES: Small pale green oval leaves thorny green

HABIT: Spiny upright

FAMILY: Rhamnaceae

12

grant, five-sepals

branches

shrub, profusely branched

fruit

Notes:

13

Artemisia californica California Sagebrush

COLLECTION

WHEN: November through February, mainly January

WHERE: Encanto and Radio Canyons

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Branches must be dry to release seeds.

HOW TO COLLECT: Gently shake or strip dry seed heads to collect ripe

seeds. Collect on warm sunny days when seed is more loosely held by the plant.

PROCESSING: White

NOTES: Important Coastal Sage Scrub plant. Germination enhanced by fire and light. Do not cover seeds when sowing. Populations of Artemisia die when invasive foreign grasses are allowed to compete for resources. Plants form as-sociations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi when nitrogen is in short supply. Nitrogen deposition from automobile exhaust is thought to be decreasing populations. All chaff does not need to be removed in order to store seed. Seed does not remain viable for longer than 3 years.

HEIGHT: 2-5 feet

WIDTH: 3-5 feet

FLOWERS: Bunches of small pistillate flowers yel-

SEED: Extremely small and wind-dispersed in late fall,

LEAVES: Aromatic, greyish, drought deciduous, finely-dissected and thread-like.

HABIT: Rounded

FAMILY: Asteraceae

14

yellowish brown 0.05 inches

Edges curl under in drought.

low-red in color along stem.

Notes:

15

Baccharis salicifolia Mule Fat

COLLECTION

WHEN: Summer to fall

WHERE: In riparian areas

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Ripe seed is in dried female flowers

HOW TO COLLECT: Break off dry seed heads

PROCESSING: Break up seed heads to separate tiny seeds

NOTES: Plants are dioecious, meaning that, male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Seeds germinate easily without pretreatment. Dry newly col-lected seed heads, and either leave them intact to sow, or rub between gloved hands to separate seed. Excellent long-blooming butterfly and bee plant.

HEIGHT: Up to 10 feet

WIDTH: 1-5 feet

FLOWERS: White, small rounded male staminate flowers and female pistillate flowers on separate plants.

SEED: Contained in ball-shaped dark brown spheres

LEAVES: Alternate, sticky, dark green lanceolate leaves, sometimes toothd, 6 inches long with 1-3 veins on short petioles

HABIT: Erect, evergreen woody shrub

FAMILY: Asteraceae

16

Blooms most of the year.

at ends of branches

Notes:

17

Bahiopsis laciniata San Diego Viqueria

COLLECTION

WHEN: Summer to fall

WHERE: Scattered throughout Encanto Canyon

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Ripe seed heads are dark brown balls


PROCESSING: Break up seed heads to separate seeds

NOTES: Sow seeds in flats on tamped, moist, seed-starting soil mix. Barely cover seeds with sieved compost, tamp, and mist with water. Plants in the Asteraceae come up very easily.

HEIGHT: 1-3 feet

WIDTH: 1-5 feet

FLOWERS: 1.5 inch Soli-tary, bright yellow. Blooming most of the year

SEED: Contained in ball-shaped dark brown spheres

LEAVES: Alternate dark green lanceolate leaves 3-5 cm., hairy, resinous, leaves are toothed, puckered, and

HABIT: Bushy to sprawling

FAMILY: Asteraceae

18

at ends of branches

margins are rolled under.

Notes:

19

Cylindropuntia prolifera Coast Cholla

COLLECTION

WHEN: Anytime of the year, but best when segments are mature and the

area is not drought stressed.

WHERE: Mainly in Encanto Canyon

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Segment is fully grown and mature but not shriveled from water stress

HOW TO COLLECT: Use barbeque tongs or a pitch fork to break segments off and throw into buckets to prevent accidental contact with spines. The seg-ments have weak joints and break off cleanly and easily.

PROCESSING: Many restoration manuals list “callusing” as a necessary step, that is, laying the harvested segments to dry for a couple of weeks. According to Pete Famalaro of Sweetwater Reservoir callusing is not necessary; the seg-ments just need to be scattered where they are to grow. Callusing occurs on site - saving time.

NOTES: Important shrub for Cactus Wren. Studies have shown that the cac-tus need to be at least 1 meter high before they are used as nesting sites by the Cactus Wren. It takes up to eight years before the Coast Cholla is large enough for use by nesting birds. A nest was observed in a cactus only a meter high.

HEIGHT: Up 6 feet

WIDTH: 3-4 feet

FLOWERS: Spring-summer large magenta flowers, visited by hummingbirds

FRUIT: Green, usually sterile Plant propagates itself vegeta-tively. Small terminal segments break off easily when brushed, and are carried by passing ani-mals to new locations.

LEAVES: Spines are a mix of longer stationary spines in clumps called areoles mixed with shorter glochids. Glochids readily detach when brushed and are small, barbed, and dif-ficult to remove. Use caution.

HABIT: Upright to sprawling cactus

FAMILY: Cactaceae

20

Notes:

21

Encelia californica California Brittlebush

COLLECTION

WHEN: Spring

WHERE: In riparian areas

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Ripe seed is in dried flowers


PROCESSING: Break up seed heads to separate seeds

NOTES: Seeds germinate without pretreatment, but success rate may be poor (Emery 1988).

HEIGHT: 3 feet

WIDTH: 4 feet

FLOWERS: Beautiful two inch spring yellow daisies

SEED: Contained in ball-shaped dark brown spheres at ends of branches, after flowers dry up

LEAVES: Diamond to nar-rowly ovate leaves 2-3 inches

HABIT: Rounded perennial

FAMILY: Asteraceae

22

Notes:

23

Eriogonum fasciculatum California Buckwheat

COLLECTION

WHEN: June- October

WHERE: Throughout Encanto Canyon

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Flowers are dark rust color, darker is better

HOW TO COLLECT: Collect whole flower clusters.

PROCESSING: Separate seeds from chaff by pushing through a screen and winnow with a fan, or just break up the clusters and sow thickly. Expect low

germination.

NOTES: Do not cover seeds with soil when germinating. Studies show that germination is increased by exposing seeds to light, by increasing the perme-ability of the seed coat to water, and, possibly by, leaching of germination in-hibitors (Keeley 1987). Seeds germinate in two weeks in warm moist soil. The long blooming season of this plant makes it highly beneficial for a wide range of animals and insects. California gnatcatchers use California buckwheat, along with, Artemisia californica, as forage and for nesting.

HEIGHT: 3 feet

WIDTH: 3-4 feet spreading shrub

FLOWERS: White to pink dense branched umbels of flowers Long flowering pe-riod: May-October.

SEED: Tiny, hard, light-brown

LEAVES: 1-2 cm long and clustered at nodes

HABIT: Rounded shrub

FAMILY: Polygonaceae

24

Notes:

25

Ferocactus viridescens var. viridescens S.D. Barrel Cactus

COLLECTION

WHEN: Late July/August

WHERE: Encanto Canyon

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Berries are breaking open

HOW TO COLLECT: Collect ripe berries or wait until they open and collect black seed with tweezers

PROCESSING: Allow seeds to fully ripen and dry.

NOTES: Rare and endangered. Propagated by seed only. No pretreatment necessary.

HEIGHT: Up to 1 foot

WIDTH: Up to 1 foot

FLOWERS: 1-1/2 to 2-1/2” yellow to greenish-yellow round flowers May-June. Sometimes red mid-rib on flowers

FRUIT: Bright yellow to red 1-2 inches long

LEAVES: 10-19 spines per areole. The four central spines per areole are longer and col-ored pink or yellow

HABIT: Round cactus

FAMILY: Cactaceae

26

Notes:

27

Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon

COLLECTION

WHEN: October-November

WHERE: Radio Canyon

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Berries are red in fall and can be picked

HOW TO COLLECT: Collect red berries

PROCESSING: Fresh seed readily germinates in flats. Stored seed needs to be stratified.

NOTES: Valuable to many insect and bird species.


WIDTH: Up to 15 feet

FLOWERS: Bunches of small white flowers at the end of branches

FRUIT: Red berries

LEAVES: Variable, serrated

shiny, oblong to elliptic

HABIT: Impressive ever-green shrub/tree

FAMILY: Rosaceae

28

Notes:

29

Isomeris arborea Bladderpod

COLLECTION

WHEN: July-Oct


HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Pod is brown and seeds rattle

HOW TO COLLECT: Collect ripe pods

PROCESSING: There will be both white and black seeds (polymorphic). The black seeds have higher germination rates while the lighter-colored seeds are less viable. The seeds do not require pretreatment. Some observations indicate that the seeds germinate better with light, so surface sow and do not cover with soil.

HEIGHT: 1-3 feet

WIDTH: 3-6 feet

FLOWERS: Golden yellow

SEED: Furry 2” pod con-

tains white and black seeds

LEAVES: Palmately com-pound, grayish. Plant has a distinctive odor.

HABIT: Erect, rounded shrub

FAMILY: Capparaceae

30

Notes:

31

Lotus scoparius Deer Weed

COLLECTION

WHEN: July - October

WHERE: Encanto and Radio Canoyns

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Brown and dry seed pods. Collect over a pe-

riod of time as plants continuously flower.

HOW TO COLLECT: Break off ripe seed pods

PROCESSING: Strip seeds from pods

NOTES: Hot water soaking increases germination, but it is not necessary ac-cording to Pete Famolaro, Biologist at Sweetwater Reservoir. The plant is a pio-neer species and assist other plants in establishment because it fixes nitrogen. Important larval food plant for several native butterflies, also good for native bees. Consider planting in areas that are low in nutrients to make way for other species in succession.

HEIGHT: 1-2 feet

WIDTH: 2-4 feet

FLOWERS: Yellow fading to orange after pollination, Tubular and tiny flowers, blooming from February-December

FRUIT: tiny pointy pods containing 2-3 seeds

LEAVES: deciduous, tiny bluish green oblanceolate leaflets in sets of three

HABIT: low spreading and twiggy

FAMILY: Fabaceae

32

33

Notes:

Lycium californica California Desert Thorn

COLLECTION

WHEN: In the fall

WHERE: Haven’t observed this plant in either canyon

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Fruit is bright red or shrivelling

HOW TO COLLECT: Pick ripe fruit

PROCESSING: Separate fruit pulp from seeds

NOTES: Rain determines germination. Cold stratification and water is thought to increase germination. Edible fruit.

HEIGHT: 6-9 feet

WIDTH: 6 feet

FLOWERS: Clusters of tu-bular white/lavender flowers in leaf axils April- June

FRUIT: Red egg-shaped drupes containing many seeds

LEAVES: Leathery, small linear fleshy, olive green, drought deciduous

HABIT: Dense, thorny and intricately branched

FAMILY: Solanaceae

34

Notes:

35

Malacothamnus fasciculatus Bush Mallow

COLLECTION

WHEN: In the fall

WHERE: Radio Canyon

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Dried flowers

HOW TO COLLECT: Pick off dried flowers

PROCESSING: Dry and sow

NOTES: Can be propagated from seed, or dig up volunteer root sprouts near the parent plant. Can also be propagated easily from semi-hardwood cuttings. One of the most beautiful Coastal Sage Scrub plants. Valuable plant for birds, especially hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Shrubs quickly grow following fires. Good for erosion control.


WIDTH: 4-6 feet

FLOWERS: Slender spikes of pale pink/lavender cupped, hibiscus-like flowers

April- July

Seed: Seed sometimes forms

LEAVES: Greyish green rounded hairy leaves

HABIT: Variable habit Rounded, full large shrub, colony-forming

FAMILY: Malvaceae

36

Notes:

37

Malosma laurina Laurel Sumac

COLLECTION

WHEN: July-October

WHERE: Radio Canyon

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Fruit turns brown enclosing seed

HOW TO COLLECT: Pick fruits

PROCESSING: Seeds must be soaked in hot water for 24-48 hours to pro-mote germination. Germination takes 2-4 weeks.

NOTES: Like other members of the Anacardiaceae, seeds must be pretreated with either sulfuric acid or hot water treatment. In the book, Growing California Native Plants, by Marjorie Schmidt, the seeds are dropped into 180 degree F water and allowed to cool for 12-24 hours. Seeds germinate well after the hot water treatment.


WIDTH: 10-20 feet

FLOWERS: Tiny white flowers form panicles at the end of branches in the early summer

FRUIT: Greenish fruit turns brown

LEAVES: Leathery, fold-ed upward along mid-rib, roundish to ovate leaves.

HABIT: Dense rounded ev-

ergreen

FAMILY: Anacardiaceae

38

Notes:

39

Mimulus aurantiacus Sticky Monkey Flower

COLLECTION

WHEN: July-October


HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Flowers are dried up and brown

HOW TO COLLECT: Pull off flowers, seeds are at the base of the flower

tube.

PROCESSING: Separate and dry seeds and sow. Light enhances germina-tion. Seeds can also be broadcast on site.

NOTES: This plant is a hummingbird favorite! Principal food for Checkerspot butterfly. Pollinated by bees in the genus Osmia and Ceratina.

HEIGHT: 2-5 feet

WIDTH: 2-5 feet

FLOWERS: Tubular flowers ranging in color and size, yel-low to red often with nectar guides

SEED: Found at the base of floral tube

LEAVES: Rolled narrow leaves, sticky and opposite

HABIT: Erect to sprawling

FAMILY: Phrymaceae

40

Notes:

41

Opuntia littoralis Coast Prickly Pear

COLLECTION

WHEN: Anytime paddles are mature and not shriveled.


HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Green paddles or cladodes are fully grown and not drought-stressed.

HOW TO COLLECT: Use barbeque tongs, shovels, or some oth-er method to separate paddles from plant without using hands. Place paddles in buckets for collection

PROCESSING: Allow the paddles to dry in sun for a couple of days. Bury paddles vertically on site or plant in pots to grow.

NOTES: Fruit is high in sugar, and Vitamin C. Glochids must be rubbed off before consuming. The mucilaginous pulp of the fruits help control blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes.

HEIGHT: 3-5 feet

WIDTH: Larger

FLOWERS: Large 2-3 inch yel-low flowers from April - June

FRUIT: Red, egg-shaped fruit called “tunas” or “nopales”on the edges of pads containing many

hard, flat seeds

LEAVES: Spiny green paddles, are technically termed “clad-odes” Older cladodes have lon-ger spines. Beware the glochids on this species, these smaller spines are barbed, painful, and difficult to remove.

HABIT: Upright to sprawling forming dense thickets

FAMILY: Cactaceae

42

Notes:

43

Rhus integrifolia Lemonadeberry

COLLECTION

WHEN: July-October

WHERE: Radio Canyon

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Fruit shrivels and turns red

HOW TO COLLECT: Pick fruits

PROCESSING: Seeds must be soaked in hot water for 24-48 hours to pro-mote germination. Germination takes 2-4 weeks.

NOTES: Fruit only occurs when there are both male and female plants. The shrub is dioecious. Native bees must pollinate female plants with male pollen to get fruit. Seeds must be pretreated with either sulfuric acid or hot water treatment. In the book, Growing California Native Plants, by Marjorie Schmidt, the seeds are dropped into 180 degree F water and allowed to cool for 12-24 hours. Seeds germinate well after the hot water treatment.


WIDTH: 10-15 feet

FLOWERS: Spring white/

pink panicles of flowers

SEED: Sticky berries that eventually turn red

LEAVES: Leathery, dark green oblong- ovate with a few teeth on the margins occurring on red stems ap-proximately 2 inches long

HABIT: Dense, rounded ev-ergreen


44

Notes:

45

Salvia apiana White Salvia

COLLECTION

WHEN: Middle to late July


HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: When flower stalks have turned brown and

seeds rattle

HOW TO COLLECT: Hand strip flowering stems into paper bags.

PROCESSING: Sow seed shallowly in very sandy soil, or surface sow, be-cause light increases germination. Average germination time 14 days. Germi-

nation rate is usually low, around 10 percent.

NOTES: Special plant for native Indians who burned it in purification ceremo-nies. Important nectar plant for bees and hummingbirds.

HEIGHT: 3 feet with flower spikes reaching 8 feet

WIDTH: three to six feet across

FLOWERS: Long wands of white, spidery flowers in clusters, can reach five feet above the plant in late spring or summer

SEED: spent flowering stalks contain seeds in tiered whorls along the stem

LEAVES: Striking white-col-ored, oval, 4 inch long leaves that are strongly scented or pun-gent and clustered at stem ends

HABIT: Shrubby

FAMILY: Lamiaceae

46

Notes:

47

Salvia mellifera Black Sage

COLLECTION

WHEN: July-August

WHERE: Throughout Encanto and Radio Canyon

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Seed heads are dark, dusty brown and the seeds are loose and rattle when the head is shaken

HOW TO COLLECT: the series of seed heads (persistant calyces) occur along the ends of stems. Strip seed heads off the plant by running your fingers along the stem. Collect the seeds as the capsules begin to dry but before they have dropped the seeds.

PROCESSING: separate seed from calyx. Spread seeds in thin layers to dry a few days before storing in sealed, refrigerated containers.

Notes: Light enhances germination. Sow and do not cover seeds. A study by Baskin and Baskin found germination increased by 21% when exposed to fire (Baskin and Baskin 1987). Seed can be treated with liquid smoke, or sown thickly because of low germination rates. Exposing germinating seeds to al-ternating temperatures of 55 and 73 degrees F increased germination rates (Keeley 1986). Survival of the plant is compromised by air pollution. Good plant for attracting native bees.

HEIGHT: 3-6 feet

WIDTH: 5-6 feet

FLOWERS: Pale blue/lavender

SEEDS: Brown in groups of four

LEAVES: Fragrant, dark green and wrinkled with lighter-col-

ored undersides.

HABIT: Sprawling shrub

FAMILY: Lamiaceae

48

49

Notes:

Sambucus mexicana Western Elderberry

COLLECTION

WHEN: July- September

WHERE: Both Encanto and Radio Canyons in low riparian areas

HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Fruit is dark blue to black (if it hasn’t been

eaten by the birds).

HOW TO COLLECT: Strip berries

PROCESSING: Put fruit in food processor with water to break up fruit. Seeds will separate from pulp. Dry seeds.

NOTES: Important shrub for wildlife. Studies have shown that the presence of Sambucus is beneficial for the survival of juvenile Cactus Wrens. The shrub blooms and sets fruit over a long period of time. Collection of ripe fruit should be ongoing to take advantage of a long period of bloom and fruit set. Also, birds relish the berries and quickly take ripe fruit. Sambucus pith is the only food source for the endangered Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (Desmocerus cali-fornicus dimorphus). Propagates somewhat from seed. Seed must be sown in fall and germination happens after a period of warm soil temperatures, either the following spring or a year later. Another source mentions a 10-15 minute soak in sulfuric acid followed by cold treatment in the refrigerator for 90 days.Additionally, cuttings are successful only 10% of the time. It may be advanta-geous to sow the seeds and forget about them, and be pleased if any come up. Since these are difficult to propagate it may be prudent to purchase the plants for restoration.


WIDTH: 15 feet

FLOWERS: Spring-summer flat-topped sprays of creamy white flowers

FRUIT: Clusters of round bluish drupes with a whitish bloom

LEAVES: Deciduous, pinnate-ly compound leaves composed of 3, 5 or 9 leaflets on along petiole

HABIT: Upright to sprawling shrub.

FAMILY: Caprifoliceae

50

Notes:

51

Simmondsia chinensis Jojoba

COLLECTION

WHEN: July


HOW TO TELL IT’S READY: Seed husks open and spill brown beans that look like coffee beans

HOW TO COLLECT: Gather ripe unopened pods or collect seed off of the ground.

PROCESSING: Dry seed and sow; no pretreatment is necessary.

HEIGHT: 3-10 feet

WIDTH: Wider than tall

FLOWERS: Dioecious, male and female flowers on separate plants

FRUIT: Hanging egg-shaped pods containing one seed

LEAVES: Peculiar upward point-ing “bunny ears”, bluish green dull leaves

HABIT: Rigidly branching, round-ed evergreen shrub

FAMILY: Simmondaceae

52

53

Importance of Controlling Weeds

The biology of weeds makes them different than normal plants in a number of important ways. Weeds have the ability to profoundly change the native ecosystems by negatively affecting hy-drology, soil composition, nutrient availability, and biodiversity (Le Maitre 2011). Some weeds like Brassica nigra even produce chemicals that interfere with, or kill, competing plants in a process called allelopathy. Weeds are invasive plants, not normally found in the environment, that have the potential to dominate all other plants by shading and out-growing them. Ecosystem stability is further threat-ened by the copious seeds produced by weeds, allowing rapid domination of the native plant community (Bryson and Carter 2004). These seeds also outcompete native plants because they of-ten have seed dormancy and the ability to wait to germinate until conditions are right for growth. Another factor that makes weeds different from other plants is their ability to efficiently disperse seed into new areas. Some weeds, like Arundo donax, have alternative reproductive strategies and spread rapidly vegetatively with rhizomes, changing the hydrology, and raising the possibility of catastrophic fire, and increasing fire frequency, because of its large flammable biomass. Addition-ally, many invasive plants have been introduced from other countries, and as such, do not have the naturally evolved set of predators and diseases that could moderate their populations. Invasive plants have been shown to change the nutrient balance in soil to benefit their continued growth and to discourage the reintroduction of native plants (Ehrenfeld 2003). For example, in the case of two weeds: Chrysanthemum coronarium, and Ehrharta spp., increased biomass of these annual weeds adds nitrogen to the soil. In the case of Acacia cyclops, a nitrogen-fixer, nitrogen levels in the surrounding soil are increased, and promote the invasion of future weedy species (Le Maitre et al. 2011). Native Coastal Sage Scrub plants have evolved in a low nitrogen soil, so raising this nutrient creates a soil environment that is inhospitable for CSS plants and favorable for invaders (Yelenick et al. 2004). Finally, weeds are also generalists and can survive under a wide range of environmen-tal conditions, something most native plants are not able to do. While we call it habitat restoration, once the native plants are reintroduced, it is mainly invasive control. If natives are planted and the weeds are not addressed expeditiously, the project will not be successful. A goal of 60% native plant cover is necessary for the plants to have some ability to compete with invasive plants. Invasive plants need to be removed expeditiously because the negative changes they effect in the environment are compounded with time and cause enduring alteration of ecosystem processes (Le Maitre et al. 2011). Furthermore, invasive plants, once estab-lished, act as ecosystem engineers and are able to alter biotic and abiotic factors, making it more difficult for native plants to become reestablished (Eviner et al. 2010). Weed control strategies vary with the species of target weed because of differences in life cycle and biology. The following list of weed species have all been found in either Radio Canyon or En-canto Canyon, and their persistence has been deemed a problem for native plant reestablishment. Suggestions on approaches for efficient eradication were researched and are offered as part of this report. Mulching areas of annual weed invasions can be a promising method for controlling weeds and for encouraging native plant growth. A study by Zink and Allen (2002) found that the survival rate of a dominant Coastal Sage Scrub (CSS) plant, Artemisia californica, doubles by the introduction of mulch to newly planted areas.

Weed Species at Chollas Creek


Acacia cyclops......................................................2Arundo donax.......................................................3Asphodelus fistulosus.......................................4Brassica nigra........................................................5Centurea melitensis...........................................6 Chrysanthemum coronarium........................7Ehrharta spp.........................................................8Foeniculum vulgare...........................................9Nicotiana glauca...............................................10Opuntia ficus indica.........................................11Phoenix canariensis.........................................12Ricinus communis............................................13Schinus terebinthifolius.................................14

54

Acacia cyclops Western Coastal Wattle

55

DESCRIPTION: Perennial shrub or tree from SW Australia. Leaves are easily recognized because the veins curve with the leaf edge and there is no middle vein, unlike any other plant. The narrow long leaves (phyllodes) have a var-nished appearance.

CONTROL: Acacia cyclops can be controlled by cutting the tree close to the ground. Prior restoration work by Earthworks Restoration Inc. finds that trees do not resprout after cutting close to the ground. Herbicide application to the fresh cuts are not necessary. Tree material can be chipped and used as mulch on site. Acacia cyclops seeds so prolifically that after a disturbance there is always plenty of seed to allow new Acacia plants to dominate their environ-ment. Because of the extensive seed bank of Acacia seed, every effort should be made to locate these plants and remove them before they set seed. Unfor-tunately, the plants are able to reproduce at a young age. The negative effects of Acacia cyclops on a native habitat increase with time and impede future restoration efforts (Earthworks Restoration Inc. 3/15/2010).

HEIGHT: 9 -24 feet

WIDTH: Often wider than tall

TYPE: Evergreen, woody, legu-minous perennial shrub or tree

FAMILY: Fabaeae

LIFECYCLE: Spreads by sev-eral methods: seed, vegetative-ly, by root suckers, and stump sprouts. Can form impenetrable masses. Blooms in spring with small yellow spheres. Produces many seeds that form a recalci-trant seed bank. Named for the red aril that surrounds the black seed, and resembles a blood-shot eye.

Opuntia littoralis Coast Prickly Pear

56

Arundo donax Giant Cane

DESCRIPTION: Huge grass that forms a close knit mass that expands, tak-ing over riparian areas, decreasing biodiversity, changing hydrologic regimes, increasing fire frequency and heat, and altering riparian succession. The pres-ence of Arundo increases water use by 10 billion gallons per 8,000 acres over native habitat. The presence of Arundo along stream banks continues to serve

as the source for future invasions further downstream.

CONTROL: Typical herbicide application calls for first cutting the grass and then applying the chemical form of glyphosate for use near water, called Ro-deo. Further research from Pete Famolaro, the biologist at Sweetwater Reser-voir, finds that first bending, but not cutting, the grass before spraying, results in a better rate of control. It is believed that cutting the plant spurs a growing response by the roots, saving the plant. The percentage of glyphosate for best control is 5-7%. The best time for spraying is between October and November. This is the time that the grass is actively growing and it is after breeding sea-son, reducing any harm to nesting birds. Spray resprouts in February - March, or just mow and cut at this time. If the site is accessible to heavy equipment, excavators with grapple attach-ment can be used to remove the whole plant, roots and all. Some rhizomes will be left and those can be sprayed or pulled as they grow. A drum chipper can dispose of dead biomass. Chipped grass can be used as mulch on the project site (Stein and Vartanian 1997).

HEIGHT: 3-30 feet

WIDTH: Can take up large amounts of riparian habitat, choking out any other plant ma-terial.

TYPE: Perennial grass

FAMILY: Poaceae

LIFECYCLE: Small sections of grass rhizomes wash down waterways and establish them-selves along the stream bank. This plant is mostly sterile and does not produce viable seed. It is able to reproduce vegetatively, by sending out jointed rhizomes that are able to form roots at ev-ery joint. Actively growing be-tween March and October.

Asphodelus fistulosus Onionweed

57

DESCRIPTION: The name Asphodelus means “head of a pike” in latin, and fistulosus refers to the hollow onion-like leaves. Weed in disturbed habitats. This herb grows fast into a bunch of hollow succulent leaves. In mid-summer the round flowering stems are covered in many small, white, striped star-like flowers. This generalist plant can survive in a variety of conditions, from full sun to shade, and from extremely dry to average soil. Not eaten by livestock, so it can thrive in pasture situations and ruin forage. Orignially from the Mediterra-nean, and from southern Europe to India. Its generalist nature combined with its facility for year around germination, and its preference for disturbed areas, and long-term viability, make this an invasive plant. It can resprout from frag-ments of leaves left after attempts at control. The plant also acts like a tumble-weed, in that, dead plants will roll away and drop seed. Seeds are toxic to birds.

CONTROL: Usually germinates with winter rains. Hand weeding during this time will keep this plant in check. Make sure to remove the roots to keep the plant from resprouting. Glyphosate is not reliably deadly, atrazine or 2,4-D are necessary for control. Increasing the density of native plants can reduce the prevalence of this weed (Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S.)

HEIGHT: 2 feet

WIDTH: 2 feet

TYPE: Annual, biennial,or short-lived perennial depending on when the seed germinates and the growing conditions.

FAMILY: Lilaceae

LIFECYCLE: Vigorously grow-ing in disturbed areas. Flowers in July/August. Seeds are hard, brown, three-sided and triangu-larly shaped. Copius amounts of seeds are produced, remaining viable in the soil for years, and germinating when conditions are optimal for growth.

Brassica nigra Black Mustard

58

DESCRIPTION: Native to Europe and the Mediterranean. This upright win-ter annual has numerous four-petalled flowers indicative of the Family Bras-sicaceae. In the 1940s and 50s this plant was seeded for post fire erosion con-trol. Brassica nigra readily invades disturbed habitats where it changes the local fire regime by increasing the frequency and severity of fire events. Dead annual plants in the summer increase the ignition potential of an area. This is problematic because frequent fires can change the ecology of CSS to a grass-land habitat. Moreover, fast germination after fires uses up soil moisture, so native plants cannot reestablish. The increased biomass of the habitat can also decrease nutrients in the soil, making it inhospitable for native plants. Since members of the Brassicaceae do not form mycorrhizal associations, and be-cause Brassica nigra produces allelochemicals that harm the existing mycor-rhizae, this invasive plant harms the symbiotic soil organisms so important for the CSS plant community and creates unfavorable conditions for their growth (Orrock et al. 2008).

CONTROL: In the winter, pull young plants before they set seed. The plants are easily pulled. Herbicide treatment with glyphosate, while the plants are young, is also an effective control method (Bell, D.T., and C.H. Muller. 1973. Dominance of California annual grasslands by Brassica nigra. Am. Midl. Nat. 90:277–299.)

HEIGHT: 2-8 feet tall

WIDTH: 2-3 feet

TYPE: Winter annual dicot

FAMILY: Brassicaceae

LIFECYCLE: Winter rains ger-minate the seeds for this win-ter-growing annual. Brassica grows fast and sets seed before the summer. The seeds grow in pointed pods.

Centaurea melitensis Tocolote

59

DESCRIPTION: Winter rains germinate seeds and plants form deeply lobed, basal foliage that bolts in the spring. Leaf bases lengthen along stems and give the plant a wavy, winged appearance. In the spring, flowering stems elongate and are tipped with spiny yellow, thistle-like flowers. Flowers can also develop in leaf axils. The plant flowers from April to June. One plant can have up to 100 flower heads each containing up to 60 seeds. The seeds remain viable for at least ten years. The plant was brought over from Southern Europe during the Spanish conquest, probably inadvertently as a grain contaminant. It was thought the plant produced allelopathic compounds, but studies have been inconclusive. Large populations grow aggressively, reduce soil moisture, and stress native plants. Seeds are effectively dispersed by the wind and by birds. Spines on the seeds adhere and are carried by passing animals. Toxic to live-stock (DiTomaso 2001).

CONTROL: A Mediterranean beetle, Lasioderma haemorrhoidale, is an effec-tive biological control by consuming mature seeds. Like other winter annu-als, this plant should be pulled while young. Control depends on reducing the seed availability in the seed bank. Controlled burns of plants before they pro-duce seed reduced the existing seed bank. Infestations are difficult to control because of large viable seed banks, long seed dormancy, and fast growth of germinating plants. Mowing is effective only if all foliage is cut. Grazing goats have also been utilized in early spring to reduce reseeding (DiTomaso 2000).


WIDTH: 2 feet

TYPE: Winter annual or bien-nial

FAMILY: Asteraceae

LIFECYCLE: Winter rains bring about germination. A basal ro-sette of leaves grows. In the spring the plant sends up a flow-ering stem. The stem has termi-nal flowers, as well as, flowers in the leaf axils. The plant flowers continuously until soil moisture becomes inadequate for growth. Heavy seed production and high germination rates ensure solid stands in subsequent years.

Cylindropuntia prolifera Coast Cholla

60

Chrysanthemum coronarium Garland Chrysanthemum

DESCRIPTION: In disturbed areas this plant becomes a fast-growing mono-crop and shades out any competition. It seeds prodigiously. Dead foliage in the summer is a fire hazard. The presence of Chrysanthemum coronarium in an ecosystem has been shown to lower biodiversity and change the insect com-munity. The plant is edible and used in Asian cuisine. The leaves are used me-dicinally for digestive disorders. The plant has ferny aromatic foliage and many rayed flowers in various shades of white and yellow. It is attractive when in flower, yet is considered one of San Diego’s most invasive plants. The name has recently been changed from Chrysanthemum coronarium to Glebionis coro-narium (California Native Plant Society).

CONTROL: Early detection and eradication of young seedlings is the most cost effective method for controlling this pest. Restoration of a good percent-age of native plants will be preventative for future reinvasions. Another pos-sible method not yet tested is grazing by goats to control plant populations. In areas where the Chrysanthemum has formed dense monotypic stands this could be an option.

HEIGHT: 2-4 feet

WIDTH: 2 feet

TYPE: Winter annual

FAMILY: Asteraceae

LIFECYCLE: Winter rains ger-minate seeds. Flowering occurs from late spring until drought kills the plant.

Ehrharta erecta and Ehrharta spp. Panic Veldt Grass

61

DESCRIPTION: Sprawling grass that reproduces both by seed and vegeta-tively by rooting at nodes. All species of Ehrharta are from South Africa. Three of the 35 species are problematic in San Diego: Ehrharta erecta, Ehrharta calyc-ina, and Ehrharta longiflora. Ehrharta calycina was introduced in Davis, CA as a drought resistant grass for grazing. The grass was ill-suited to withstand graz-ing pressure, and failed in that capacity, but unfortunately it escaped and has become a problem in many areas of California, including San Clemente Island. This is an ideal weed species in that it tolerates a wide variety of soils, and light levels. The copious tiny seeds are distributed easily by the wind and are able to germinate at extremely low light levels. It outcompetes nearly every other plant including other weeds. The grass has prostrate stems that avoid mowing, and is able to germinate anytime that moisture is adequate. Fire increases the invasion potential of this grass. Ehrharta calycina is especially destructive to CSS and MSS areas by changing the ecology so native plants can no longer grow. The plant does this by supplying increased biomass that changes nutri-ent levels, altering the fire potential, and especially by shifting shrub commu-nities to a grassland ecosystem by suppressing germination.

CONTROL: Because of the catastrophic effects this invader has on the land-scape, observation and early detection combined with immediate elimination of plants is of utmost importance with this plant. Pulling detected seedlings is labor intensive, but effective. This plant can germinate anytime, so regular monitoring of the restoration area is necessary. Herbicides are effective for control using a 2% solution of Roundup Pro in early spring (Nature Conser-vancy).

HEIGHT: 2 feet

WIDTH: 3-4 feet

TYPE: Perennial and annual-grasses

FAMILY: Poaceae

LIFECYCLE: Winter rains spur gemination, even in highly shad-ed situations. Seedlings grow fast, seed early, and germinate anytime of the year, with a 99% germination rate.

Foeniculum vulgare Fennel

62

DESCRIPTION: Strongly upright perennial with bluish, fern-like delicate leaves. The plant is strongly licorice scented. Golden yellow umbels of flowers cover the plant from spring to summer. A stout taproot grows deeply giving the plant drought tolerance. Fennel is native to the Mediterranean and south-ern Europe. It is found in disturbed areas. It outcompetes other plants using al-lelopathy, prolific seed production, and high seed viability. It can quickly grow into an area, become dense and choke out other plants. Once it reaches this stage it is challenging to remove. Every effort should be made to keep this plant from establishing itself in a restoration area.

CONTROL: Plants can be dug out, but it is difficult to dig the large root mass plus the plant grows an above ground bulb. Triclopyr applied in early spring is effective at rates of 6lbs per 100 gallons of water. Cutting the plants does not increase effectiveness. Glyphosate was less effective at killing this plant (Cali-fornia Invasive Plant Council).

HEIGHT: 4-10 feet tall

WIDTH: larger

TYPE: Perennial grass

FAMILY: Apiaceae

LIFECYCLE: Evergreen plants produce many flowers from April until late summer. The plant reproduces from seed and also vegetatively. Seeds remain viable for a long time, and may germinate anytime conditions are favorable.

Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco

63

DESCRIPTION: Vigorous upright plant with bluish, alternate, egg-shaped, leathery leaves, up to seven inches long. The leaves are at the ends of long peti-oles, so when there is a breeze the leaves visibly twist in the wind. The whole plant feels gummy and is highly toxic from alkaloids. While it is originally from South America, it has established a presence in the American Southwest. The tubular yellow flowers occur at terminal ends of branches. It flowers most of the year, and is pollinated by hummingbirds. It produces lots of seeds because it never stops flowering and setting seed. Each ripe fruit contains 150-200 eas-ily germinating seeds.

CONTROL: Young seedlings can be pulled. Older plants can be dug out or cut at the base and a herbicide like glyphosate can be applied. Control can be achieved with frequent observation and removal of germinating plants (Oneto et al. 2004).


WIDTH: 5 feet

TYPE: An opportunistic plant that alters its lifecycle to fit cond-tions. It can be an annual, bienni-al, or short-lived perennial shrub or tree.

FAMILY: Solanaceae

LIFECYCLE: The hermaph-rodite flowers containing both male and female parts are pol-

linated by seed capsules containmany small brown seeds.

Opuntia ficus-indica Spineless Prickly Pear

64

DESCRIPTION: This succulent is made of paddle-shaped large heavy flat segments. It is largely spineless. It is a problem since it hybridizes easily with the native spiny Opuntia littoralis. The spined Opuntia is used for nesting cactus wrens, and spineless hybrids do not offer any predator protection for the wren. Yellow to orange flowers along the edges of the pads give way to purple fruits. The seeds are eaten and dispersed by birds, lizards, and other vertebrates. Vegetative reproduction from fallen segments (cladodes) also in-creases populations of this plant. Seeds remain viable in seed banks for years. it is native to tropical areas of Mexico to Colombia. The popularity of red dye made from an insect that feeds on it, prompted Spanish conquerors to estab-lish populations in America. The fruit and cladodes are edible. New plants can sprout from any vegetative part. Ingestion of the plant stabilizes blood sugar and may help diabetes.

CONTROL: Cut the plant at the base and apply glyphosate. Remove all parts of the cut plant to prevent regrowth (Agroforestry Tree Database).

HEIGHT: 3-6 feet

WIDTH: Can form large colo-

nies

TYPE: Long- lived, Perennial Succulent

FAMILY: Cactaceae

LIFECYCLE: Spiny green paddles with older paddles hav-ing longer spines. Beware the glochids on this species, these smaller spines are barbed, pain-ful, and difficult to remove.

Phoenix canariensis Date Palm

65

DESCRIPTION: Non-native palm that has escaped cultivation. Shades out native plants. Seeds are spread by birds and other wildlife. Waterborne seeds travel to new areas of invasion. Especially troublesome in wetlands.

CONTROL: Cut them down when they are present. Recent discovery of a new pest, the imported Red Palm Weavil may eliminate many Date Palms. In some habitat restorations palms are drilled with holes and herbicide is injected (Kelly 2001).


WIDTH: 25 feet

TYPE: Perennial palm tree

FAMILY: Arecaceae

LIFECYCLE: Date fruit is eaten by many birds and other ani-mals. Seeds are dropped in res-toration areas and germinate and grow into trees.

Ricinus communis Castor Bean

66

DESCRIPTION: Large upright perennial with large, star-shaped, reddish leaves. Seeds are contained in round, red, spiny fruit. Originally an herbaceous plant, stems harden and become woody. All parts of the plant are poisonous. The plant is native to northeastern Africa and the Middle East. Plant seeds are the source of castor oil.

CONTROL: Pull young plants. Cut older plants at the ground and paint with glyposate (Global Invasive Species Database).

HEIGHT: 9 - 15 feet

WIDTH: 8 feet

TYPE: Perennial Shrub

FAMILY: Euphorbiaceae

LIFECYCLE: Fruit containing seeds bursts open when seeds are ripe, and the force of explo-sion propels the seeds some distance away from the mother plant. Seeds germinate and quickly grow and shade out un-derstory. It colonizes disturbed areas in full sun and replaces native vegetation. Plants flower and set fruit all year long.

Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian Pepper Tree

67

DESCRIPTION: Difficult to remove and kill. Weak-wooded tree, eventually forms a dense thicket choking out all other plant life. Female trees bear fruit. Trees are dioecious. Self-sows readily or new plants come up from root sprouts.Berries are edible, but only in small quantities. Limbs grow into a twisted mess.Sap and pollen are irritants. Eating large quantities of the fruit sometimes is lethal to birds. The plant is toxic and can be lethal for grazing animals. This tree is an invasive plant in 20 countries and has invaded many natural areas in Hawaii and Florida. In Florida it covers more area than any other invasive plant, consuming over 700,000 acres. Leaves are pinnately compound with a reddish mid rib. Crushing the foliage yields a distinctive peppery odor. Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, it is even salt tolerant up to 5ppm.

CONTROL: Difficult to completely kill. Trees must be cut at ground level and herbicide applied to cut. Even so, roots will sprout vigorously sending up hun-dreds of replacement trees. Every root sprout must be killed. Better success using a stump grinder to eliminate most of the roots. In spite of that, the tiniest roots will send up sprouts and eliminating this tree is a chore. Another species, Schinus molle is equally problematic and hard to kill. A herbicide which is a formulation of Triclopyr ester (called, Garlon 4, used as a stump treatment has been the most effective at eliminating this tree (Larouche and Baker 1994). Care must be taken using this chemical as it has a long half life, the chemical binds strongly to the organic components in soil, and its toxic effects are per-sistent. Residual herbicide may adversely affect subsequent vegetation. (OSU Extension Service).

HEIGHT: 30 feet

WIDTH: 30 feet

TYPE: Shrubby Tree


LIFECYCLE: Seeds relished and spread by birds. Aggressive growth with multiple trunks aris-ing from root sprouts. Prolific seed production.

References

Hickman, J. C. 1993. The Jepson manual of higher

plants of California. University of California Press, Los Angeles and Berkeley.

Barbour, M. G. 2007. Terrestrial Vegetation of Califor-

nia, 3rd edition. Eds. Barbour M.G., T. Keeler-Wolf, and A.A. Schoenherr. University of California Press, Berkeley.

Ehrenfeld, J. G. 2003. Effects of exotic plant invasions

on soil nutrient cycling processes. Ecosystems 6:503–523.

Bryson, C.T. and Carter, R. 2004. Biology of Pathways

for Invasive Weeds1. Weed Technology: Vol. 18, pp. 1216-1220.

Eviner, VT, SA Hoskinson and CV Hawkes. 2010. Eco-

system impacts of exotic plants can feed back to increase invasion in western US rangelands. Rangelands 31:21-31.

Kirkpatrick, J.B., and C.F. Hutchinson. 1977. The com-

munity composition of California coastal sage scrub. Vegetation 35: 21-33.

Bowler, P.A. 1990. Coastal Sage Scrub Restoration-

I: The Challenge of Mitigation Ecological Rest. 8:78-82

Holland, R. F., 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the

terrestrial natural communities of California. State of California, The Resources Agency, Non-game Heritage Program, Dept. Fish & Game, Sac-ramento, Calif. 156 pp.

Keeley, J. E. 1987. Role of fire in seed germination of

woody taxa in California chaparral. Ecology 68: 434- 443.

Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds.

Baskin, C. C., Baskin, J. M. 2002. Propagation proto-Keeley, J. E. 1986. Seed germination patterns of Sal-

1993. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 16+ vols. New York and Oxford.

col for production of container Salvia mellifera plants; University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ken-tucky.

via mellifera in fire-prone environments. Oecolo-gia. 71: 1-5.

68

DiTomaso, J.M., and J.D. Gerlach, Jr. 2000. Centaurea

Jones, C. G., J. H. Lawton, and M. Shachak. 1994. Or-

Le Maitre, D.C., Gaertner, M., Marchante, E., Ens, E.-

Bell, D.T., and C.H. Muller. 1973. Dominance of Cali-

fornia annual grasslands by Brassica nigra. Am. Midl. Nat. 90:277–299.

Kelly, M. 2001. Drilling as a Technique for Controlling

Eucalyptus, Palms, & Other Exotic Trees. in Kelly, M. Proceedings California Exotic Pest Plant Coun-cil Symposium. Cal-EPPC.

Montalvo, A.M., P.A. McMillan, and E.B. Allen. 2002.

The relative importance of seeding method, soil ripping, and soil variables on seeding success. Restoration Ecology 10: 52-67.

Goodridge, J.M. 2001. The effects of native plants on

non-native plant abundance in a restoration set-ting: differences among native species and the predictive ability of species traits. M.S. Thesis. Or-egon State University, Corvallis. 69 pp.

Oneto, S., DiTomaso, J.M., Kyser, G.B., Garcia, S. & Hale,

S. 2004. Control of tree tobacco (Nicotiana glau-ca). California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.

melitensis L. In: Bossard, C.C., J.M. Randall, and M.C. Hoshovsky. eds. Invasive plants of Califor-nia’s wildlands. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, California. 360 pp.

ganisms as Ecosystem Engineers. Oikos 69 :373-386.

J., Holmes, P.M., Pauchard, A., O’Farrell, P.J., Rog-ers, A.M., Blanchard, R., Blignaut, J. & Richardson, D.M. 2011. Impacts of invasive Australian acacias: implications for management and restoration. Diversity and Distributions, 17, 1015–1029.

Allen, M. F., E.B. Allen and C.F. Friese. 1989. Responses

of the Non-mycotrophic Plant Salsola kali to In-vasion by V A Mycorrhizal Fungi. 1 New Phytolo-gist 111:45-49.

69

Yelenik, S.G., Stock, W.D. & Richardson, D.M. 2004.

Eco- system level impacts of invasive Acacia saligna in the South African fynbos. Restoration Ecology, 12, 44–51.

Young, J. A., Evans, R. A., Kay, L. K., Owen, R. E., Jurak, F.

Young, J. A. and C. G. Young. 1986. Collecting, Pro-

L. 1981. Collecting, Processing, and Germinating Seeds of Western Wildland Plants. USDA

cessing, and Germinating Seeds of Wildland Plants. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

Whitson, Tom D., Larry C. Burrill, Steven A. Dewey,

Zink, T. A., and M. F. Allen. 1998. The effects of organic

David W. Cudney, B.E. Nelson, Richard D. Lee, and Robert Parker. Whitson, Tom D. (ed.). 2001. Weeds of the West. 9th ed. Laramie: University of Wyoming.

amendments on the restoration of a disturbed coastal sage scrub habitat. Restoration Ecology 6:5258.

Zink, T. A., M. F. Allen, B. Heindl-Tenhunen and E. B.

Allen. 1995. The effect of a disturbance corridor on an ecological reserve. Restoration Ecology 3: 304-310USDA, NRCS. 2011. The PLANTS Database (http://

plants.usda.gov, 30 July 2011). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Turner, C. 1998. Seed Sowing and Saving. Storey

Communications, Inc., Pownal, Vermont.

Taylor, R. S. 2004. A Natural History of Coastal Sage

Scrub in Southern California: Regional Floristic Patterns and Relations to Physical Geography, How It Changes Over Time, And How Well Re-serves Represent Its Biodiversity. Ph.D. disserta-tion, Geography, University of California. Santa Barbara.

Smith, M.R., Charvat, I., Jacobson, R.L., 1998. Arbuscu-

lar mycorrhizae promote establishment of prai-rie species in a tallgrass prairie restoration. Can J Bot 76, 1947- 1954.

Young, B. 2001. Propagation protocol for production

of container Artemisia californica Less. plants (Deepot 16); USDI NPS - Golden Gate National Parks, San Francisco, California. In Native Plant Network. Available at http://www.nativeplant-network.org (accessed 23 September 2009). Uni-versity of Idaho, College of Natural Resources, Forest Research Nursery, Moscow.

Schmidt, M. G. 1980. Growing California native plants. University of California Press. Berkeley, CA.

Stein, E. D. and V. Vartanian 1997. Killing the beast:

A cooperative approach for control of Arundo donax in the Santa Ana River watershed. CalEP-PC News. 5: 4-6,8.

Orrock, J.L., M. S. Witter, and O.J. Reichman. 2008. Ap-

parent Competition With An Exotic Plant Reduc-es Native Plant Establishment. Ecology 89:1168–1174. [doi:10.1890/07-0223.1]

CollectionManualtiny

Documents

Transcript of CollectionManualtiny