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Volume 2006, Nov-Dec 06
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CALYPSO
NEWSLETTER OF THE DOROTHY KING YOUNG CHAPTER
CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
PROGRAM – Annual Meeting
& Holiday Potluck Luncheon
Sunday, December 10, 12:00 Noon for Luncheon,
1:30 PM for program, Greenwood Community Center,
Hwy 1 in Elk. Speaker: Peter Warner
Program: A Dose of Spring, 'Til the Real Thing –
A sampling of local and state wildflower photos.
Our Potluck Luncheon and Annual Meeting will be
held on Sunday, December 10 at the Greenwood
Community Center in Elk. Not only is this a fun
meeting, but it’s also our Chapter Board Election, so
be sure to show up and vote. Wine is allowed, so
let’s get merry!
Two excellent new books will be on sale at
reasonable prices: Native Treasure – Gardening
With California’s Native Plants by M. Nevin Smith
(this sold out at our plant sale), and Ceanothus by
Dieter Wilken and David Fross. Native Plants for the
Garden by Bornstein, Fross and O’Brien will also be
for sale. Buy a gift for someone special or treat
yourself to a book.
Please bring a main dish, salad or dessert to share,
plus dishes and flatware if possible. The Community
Center is at the south end of Elk, right off Highway 1,
on the east side. We’ll try to have a CNPS sign out
front.
Our speaker has a lifelong love affair with California’s
indigenous plants and wild places. Peter Warner is a
determined plant keyer, who won’t quit the field until
the last plant trickster has been properly identified.
Go on one of his campouts and you are likely to be
entertained by Peter playing guitar and singing wistful
ballads. Peter is also a renowned weed basher,
working hard to make room for native plant
communities to restore themselves.
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GUALALA CA
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Peter is a resource ecologist with the State
Department of Parks and Recreation, and our local
state parks keep him very busy. He is a past
president of the Milo Baker Chapter of CNPS and is
very active in the California Invasive Plant Council.
Volunteer, our chapter
needs you!
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
by Lori Hubbart
Our chapter plant sale is turning into a popular local
event! People showed up as much as an hour early,
clutching plant lists in their hands. After the sale we
even sold “surplus plants” that had not been brought
to the sale.
Gail Hamilton created a very classy flyer for the sale,
featuring artwork that she obtained permission to use.
The plant sale has a following now, and we have
something to live up to. Our chapter will be looking
for ways to keep the sale organized and get enough
plants grown. We do buy in plants in 4” pots and
grown them on to larger sizes. However, it is
important to provide plants that originated in our local
area, which means doing our own growing.
Growing local plants: does it
matter? Instead of growing native plant cultivars
from places like San Francisco or Monterey County,
we could be growing gorgeous, home-grown
versions. A cultivar is a cultivated variety of a plant,
usually grown from cuttings taken from one particular
plant. Nurseries and botanic gardens have introduced
some cutting-grown cultivars from our area. A
mounding coyote bush, ‘Al’s Blue’ (from near Point
Arena), and creeping manzanita, ‘Emerald Carpet’
(from Haven’s Neck), are just two examples.
Many of the plants at our plant sales are grown from
propagules of local plants, though not necessarily
from “special” plants. In gardens, local plants are
likely best adapted to our particular climate and soils.
For wildlife, local plants often do the best job of
providing food and shelter.
Local plants also embody a “sense of place” to make
a landscape look like the “Mendonoma” coast, rather
than some random place in anywhere U.S.A. We are
working to offer a blue-eyed grass with white flowers,
white Douglas iris, low-growing coyote bush and a
low, creeping California fuchsia from the Gualala
River – all propagated from local wild plants.
What about the local plants issue on a larger,
ecological scale? This has been discussed and
debated within CNPS and among scientists. People
ask, “Since plants move around naturally, why the
concern about plants moving from one part of the
state to another?”
The short answer is that natural movement of plant
species usually happens slowly enough for
ecosystems to adjust. However, many plants,
including some native species, have been transported
to new areas by humans, so the impact is quite
sudden.
Sometimes one species can have dramatic effects on
an ecosystem. When people bring in yellow bush
lupine to an area beyond its natural range to stabilize
dunes, the local plants and animals do not have time
to adjust. This lupine not only stabilizes dune
ecosystems that are based on moving and shifting
sands, but it also fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the
soil, providing too rich an environment for native
plants while nurturing invasive, non-native weeds.
These weeds tend to be poor providers for the needs
of local wild animals.
Some people believe that with all the problems
caused by development, over-grazing and climate
change, our actions at the local level don’t matter
much. Why, then, should we try to do the right thing
as individuals and as a CNPS chapter? Because we
can – because it is one small area over which we
have some control. It can be hard to see the whole
picture, so we must act on the best information we
have, hoping for the best.
2 November-December ’06
Letters to the Editor?
Questions about native plants?
The above discussion about local plants (reviewed by
botanist, Teresa Sholars) was inspired by a question
from a chapter member, who also suggested that the
Calypso could print letters to the editor and questions
from chapter members. If you have a question or
comment, please send it to our editor, Julia Larke,
jlarke@mcn.org or P.O. Box 1631, Fort Bragg, CA
95437. We’d love to hear from you, and we are lucky
to have a number of botanical and horticultural
advisors to respond. Fire away!
FAREWELL TO FRIENDS
Two people who were valued members of the DKY
Chapter passed away in October 2006: Marion
Perkins and Ray Van de Water.
Marion Perkins: One of our longtime members,
Marion Perkins, died in October. Older members may
recall holding Board meetings at the Perkins home on
the dunes, in Manchester Beach State Park. Marion,
ever a gracious host, would invariably provide a lunch
and we were treated to a sweeping view of the ocean
from across the rolling dunes.
Marion Perkins, left, Clare Wheeler-Sias with Bob
Perkins holding camera at a 1996 camping trip. Marion
had embroidered a shirt with Calypso orchids for Clare.
Marion and Perk were enthusiastic campers with our
DKY Chapter in bygone years, and were close friends
with Clare Wheeler-Sias, our former Camping
Chairperson. One of Marion’s talents was in getting
us started on a sing-along around an evening
campfire. On flower walks she always demonstrated
a very competent, convivial knowledge of the plants
and it was a pleasure to accompany her on the walks.
She was always up for a good political discussion,
too. Knowing that she grew up in Canada I’d bait her
a little about the Queen and Britains continued
occupation of Northern Ireland and shed give me
back a few salvos. She had a quick, open mind,
though, and we could hold some very reasonable
discussions on the topic. In time, she became a
sympathetic Republican--Irish that is, not the GOP
here! In fact, she was very informed on global politics
through her reading of foreign affairs journals. She
will be sorely missed.
She is survived by her husband, Bob Perkins, or
Perk, who is currently in an assisted living home
down south; and by their sons Frazier and Tom
Perkins and their wives, and six grandchildren.
Ray Van de Water: He and his wife Florence were
both active for many years in CNPS and they were an
inspiration to our coastal community.
Ray and Flo Van de Water
Before Ray and Flo retired to Gualala, he had worked
in San Francisco and commuted from the family
home in Danville, CA. He and Flo and their four
children kept sheep, chickens, had an orchard, a
vegetable garden, and an oak-studded hill with a
cave! Each year they would take a two weeklong
family camping trip, which was the highlight of the
year for the whole family.
When he and Florence retired, their home in Gualala
became a place that they came to love beyond any
other. They turned their attention to enjoyment of the
beauty around them and to helping preserve that
beauty for everyone. They were frequent participants
on wildflower walks and camping trips and took an
active part in two local hiking groups.
Ray served as secretary of the Dorothy King Young
chapter of the California Native Plant Society and
wrote a Conservation News column in the Calypso for
many years. He was a member of the Gualala River
Watershed Council, and was a founding director of
Redwood Coast Land Conservancy in 1992. The
combination of his business experience, writing
ability, and appreciation of the natural environment
enabled him to provide significant service to these
3 November-December ’06
groups. He will always be remembered and greatly
missed.
Ray is survived by: his wife, Florence, now in a
nursing home in Davis; his four children and their
mates, Marian and Kenneth Brown, Margaret Tarver
and Dave Twomey, Richard and Roberta Van De
Water, and Mark and Judy Van de Water; seven
grandchildren; and one great grandchild. A gathering
to celebrate Ray's life is planned for Saturday
afternoon, Nov. 25, from 2-4 PM at Ken and Marian
Brown's, 38570 Coral Court in Gualala, next door to
Ray and Flo's house. You can contact Marian Brown
at 909-624-6488 in Claremont, CA.
PROFUSE THANKS TO OUR
OUTGOING SECRETARY
Rich Shimbor has decided not to run for re-election
as DKY Board secretary, and he will certainly be
missed. He did a superlative job taking minutes and
turning them around rapidly. Rich has also been an
astute and alert board member, working to assure
that our actions were supported by sound information
and conducted in a businesslike manner. Thank you,
Rich, and we hope you will continue to enjoy native
plant gardening and jubata grass bashing!
RECORDING SECRETARY
NEEDED! Our chapter has many needs, but we
really need a recording secretary now! We have
been holding board meetings during the day in Point
Arena, with the date variable, according to board
members’ schedules. All you have to do is take
minutes every other month and send them out, so
email helps. Our next full board meeting will be in
January, though we do need someone to take
minutes for the short, official portion of our December
meeting. If you are interested, please contact Lori,
882-1655 or lorih@mcn.org.
FALL PLANT SALE A SUCCESS!
by Jon Thompson
The Fall Plant Sale was another great success,
thanks to all of the people who donated their time,
plants, expertise and knowledge to make our primary
fundraiser even happen. We once again broke a
record by grossing over $4,000 dollars!
The proceeds are greatly appreciated and will be
used to help fund the continuing native plant
education programs and other important conservation
issues on the Mendocino coast.
As reported in the last edition of the Calypso, I will not
be coordinating the annual fall plant sale next year. I
would like to thank everyone who helped me in any
way with all plant sales throughout the years that I
have been Plant Sale Chairperson.
Our fearless Plant Sale Chairman, Jon Thompson,
presided over the recent, highly successful October
plant sale.
I am hopeful that our annual plant sale will continue to
prosper and evolve, so that the benefits and beauty of
California native plants will continue to be shared with
the public. In order for this to happen, we need others
to step up to the plate.
We need people to help grow plants and at least one
person to coordinate the sale. If you are interested in
helping out by being the Plant Sale Chairperson or in
any other way, please contact Lori Hubbart at 882-
1655 or lorih@mcn.org.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
We are currently awaiting reply from Cal Trans about
when we will continue with the third phase of Highway
One realignment project at Schooner Gulch – the
Sidalcea malviflora ssp. purpurea transplant project.
We need volunteers to transplant the purple-stemmed
checkerbloom that we transferred to 1-gallon
containers in May of this year. This will be taking
place hopefully once the rainy season has started. If
you are interested in volunteering for transplanting
purple-stemmed checkerbloom, please call Jon
Thompson at 884-4847.
CONSERVATION
by Lori Hubbart
Grading Ordinance – Mendocino County has never
had a real grading ordinance, which is basically a set
of rules for soil disturbing activities designed to
prevent erosion. The issue is so fraught with
controversy – just think of all those inland vineyards
4 November-December ’06
on steep slopes –that warring factions have
prevented the adoption of an ordinance.
Now the county has come up with a draft grading
ordinance that no one, neither the agricultural
representatives nor environmental groups, seems to
like. Since the county asked for public input, our
chapter commented on the county’s unique situation
of having land formations based on ancient marine
terraces that are very prone to erosion, even though
they are flat. A grading ordinance that focused only
on slopes would not prevent erosion in those areas,
nor would it protect pygmy forests. We await news
on the county’s next move.
Fort Bragg Golf Course – Teresa Sholars and Lori
Hubbart toured the proposed golf course site with
representatives of the Mendocino Coast Recreation
and Parks District. Many concerns were raised, with
Teresa providing a number of suggestions for
preventing further erosion, restoring pygmy forest and
weed abatement.
As always, two major concerns are the proposed
conservation easement and the handling of water
runoff. The easement is a significant mitigation
measure in the Environmental Impact Report, yet
there is no one to hold the easement and currently no
funds to maintain the land under an easement. The
situation is tricky, since no entity would want to take
on the easement without an endowment or source of
income, but potential funders are unlikely to provide
funds without someone to hold the easement.
Coastal Trail Workshop – The City of Fort Bragg
hosted a three-day planning workshop for the portion
of the Coastal Trail that will run through the former
Georgia Pacific mill site. About 60 people attended,
including Teresa Sholars, consulting botanist, several
people from State Parks and Lori Hubbart
representing CNPS. How nice that CNPS is
considered important enough that they invited the
chapter president!
Some attendees actually wore several hats, as it
were, and it was good to see a number of CNPS
members present. People like Peter Warner and
Doug Hammerstrom were very effective in the
“working groups” portion of the workshop.
Sub-groups are the only way to generate coherent
planning concepts in such a crowd. Different groups
worked with huge maps to create concept drawings
for features like trail routes, restoration sites, beach
access, dog parks and connecting corridors from
downtown. There seemed to be general consensus
that existing rare plant areas would be off limits, and
a certain amount of bluff vegetation “restoration”
would be done.
The workshop included a tour of the portion of the mill
site the city is working to acquire. It is hard to imagine
this land ever being turned into a mosaic of parkways
and natural habitat, as it is totally overrun with
invasive macro-weeds. The most obvious of these is
jubata grass, which was waving its plumes right down
to tide line.
In a project like this, no one will get everything they
want, but city planning staffers were very enthusiastic
about this opportunity for Fort Bragg to get its coast
back. It will be interesting to see if the city has the
wherewithal to make the long-term commitment to
fundraising and intensive management that this
ambitious project requires.
State Conservation – The report on the CNPS
annual conservation conference will appear in the
next issue. After the conference, DKY hosted a
potluck for our new Executive Director, Amanda
Jorgenson. It was a fun event, and we all enjoyed
talking with Amanda and sharing our interests and
experiences with her. Thanks to Teresa Sholars for
her presentation on plants of the Mendocino coast.
ROADSIDE REHAB
by Peter Warner
Volunteers affiliated with the Mendocino Coast
Cooperative Weed Management Area (WMA)
initiated phase 2 of a long-term project at Highways 1
and 20 in Ft. Bragg October 21 & 22. Over 2 days, 8
community volunteers and about 9 California
Conservation Corps members removed invasive
plants (aka weeds), cleaned up litter, rescued
Douglas irises from an adjacent parcel slated for
development, found new homes for native plants, and
practiced mammalian dispersal of native grass seed.
This project is one of many started by the WMA along
the coast, aimed at informing the public about
invasive plants and working cooperative with private
and public land managers to get rid of weeds.
Once the iceplant, capeweed, Himalayan blackberry,
and remaining wild radish carcasses were stuffed into
litter sacks (a fitting fate for fiendish foes), we were
ready to brighten up the site with a vital resource for
our wild birds, rodents, and insects need: the native
plants with which they’ve long evolved
interdependence (please, critters, give our seeds and
plants a fighting chance!). Starting on Saturday with
generously donated Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Digger
Creek’ from our friends at the Mendocino Coast
Botanical Garden (absolutely beautiful and healthy
plants! Thank you, Mario!) and poppies, sea thrift,
and seaside daisy from the Dorothy King Young
Chapter of CNPS (thank you wonderful plant
growers!), the native reinforcements soon filled the
5 November-December ’06
previously weed-strewn slope adjacent to the
Boatyard Shopping Center.
Then, for good measure, we scattered seeds of
Bromus carinatus, Danthonia californica, and Elymus
glaucus, collected this past summer by volunteer Dan
Young -- thank you, Dan; the seeds were gladly
sown! On Sunday, with CCC reinforcements, we
salvaged several hundred Iris douglasiana divisions
from across the highway, then eagerly cleared
another section of the slope to get these right back in
touch with Mo’ Earth. Overall, we cleared about 300
square meters of thick roadside weeds, and planted
over 300 containers or iris divisions, and with any
luck, started a brave new patch of coastal roadside
prairie where once only weeds ruled.
Thank you heartily, my fellow volunteers and the CCC
team from Ukiah – I am honored to have worked
alongside all of you.
MENDOCINO WOODLANDS
FUNGUS FORAY
The Mycological Society of San Francisco is hosting a
Mendocino Woodlands Foray on Nov.10-12, at the
Mendocino Woodlands camp. Dr. Dennis Desjardin, the
foray mycologist, will give a presentation Saturday night.
Assisting at the specimen tables will be Norm Andresen
and Mykoweb's Mike Wood. Taylor Lockwood will
present a mushroom slide program.
Fee of $140 includes lodging, meals, and all forays,
classes, and events. Children under 13 are half price
(w/adult), & under 5 are free. $90 with offsite lodging.
Register online at www.mssf.org/mendo, or send check
with names and contact info to: MSSF c/o Randall
Museum 199 Museum Way SF, CA 94114. Call 415-
457-7662 or 707-829-2063; or email mendo@mssf.org.
MAKING WAY FOR
HOWELL’S SPINEFLOWER
by Peter Warner
Scorning the ubiquitous cascades of iceplant
(Carpobrotus edulis, C. chilensis [Aizoaceae]) along
the northern California coast is a wearisome pastime
for most native plant enthusiasts – this weed is
everywhere! In contrast, consider Howell’s
spineflower (Chorizanthe howellii [Polygonaceae]), a
federally endangered plant whose entire home range
extends essentially from the mouth of Pudding Creek
north to the outlet of Ten Mile River, along a narrow
strip of coast typically about 100 meters wide (just
about all at MacKerricher State Park).
Growing chiefly in a plant community called dune
mat, the spineflower is one of many native and non-
native plants in this ecosystem with an annual life
history, although the landscape is generally
dominated by mostly herbaceous, sand-hugging
perennial plants, as well as open sand. With lots of
sun, wind, and salt, limited water, and no trees or
taller shrubs to afford relief from the elements, the
dune habitat is harsh – an annual life history or deep
root systems are two of the more common plant
adaptations for survival in the sand.
In addition to a diversity of native species, spineflower
also competes for sand and sustenance with several
non-native habitat imperialists (aka, invasive plants).
Among those encroaching into the formerly more
open dunes and prairies are the aforementioned
iceplants, (C. edulis (Hottentot-fig) is the more rapidly
spreading of the two), a few other perennials, like
sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), and several
annuals (ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), large
quaking grass (Briza maxima), dove-foot geranium
(Geranium molle), et al.). Air photographs taken at
intervals over the past 25 years show that iceplant
has expanded its coverage of coastal dunes, bluffs,
and grasslands at MacKerricher perhaps a hundred-
fold or more during that time.
Likely introduced to “stabilize” dunes and bluffs,
iceplant carpets dunes to the exclusion of most other
plant species, notably Howell’s spineflower, and
doesn’t do very well in stabilizing bluffs (e.g., a recent
bluff failure along the haul road near Ward Avenue at
MacKerricher State Park). Iceplant appears to thrive
in this harsh ecosystem through its ability to
accumulate salts and water in leaves; while its stems
typically ply the sand surface or lie just buried
beneath the surface, roots are long and thread-like,
extending vertically several meters into the sand
where water is generally more available.
Recognizing the trend towards iceplant dominance (a
word used to describe species that exert considerable
influence, by virtue of numbers, or size, or other
characteristics, within plant communities) in
spineflower habitat, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS; responsible for developing recovery
plans for species listed as endangered or threatened
under the federal Endangered Species Act) has been
working cooperatively with California State Parks to
improve the quality of spineflower habitat within its
limited native range.
In 2004, FWS provided funding to California State
Parks, administered through the California Dept. of
6 November-December ’06
Fish & Game, to conduct a 3-year study at
MacKerricher to investigate the recolonization
potential of Howell’s spineflower in habitat currently
dominated by Carpobrotus edulis.
Photo of Chorizanthe howellii taken June 24, 2006 at Ten
Mile Dunes Preserve, MacKerricher State Park, off Ward
Avenue, Mendocino County, CA. © 2006 Lisa Walker
Methods
To address the spineflower’s potential for
recolonization following a manual iceplant removal
regimen, State Parks staff established 25 50-m2 plots,
each within spineflower habitat and each with at least
50% iceplant cover, between Lake Cleone and the
south end of the Ten Mile Dunes, in winter 2004-05.
On each plot, we established five 1-m2 quadrats,
representing 10% of the total area of each plot.
Data collected, prior to iceplant removal and once
during each of the 2 following spring seasons,
included cover by plant species and other types of
surface material (e.g., bare sand, litter), recorded in
one of 6 categories for estimating cover: Category 1 =
0-1, Cat. 2 = 1-5, Cat. 3 = 5-25, Cat. 4 = 25-50, Cat. 5
= 50-75, and Cat. 6 = 75-100%, on entire plots. We
also estimated cover by plant species or other ground
cover to the nearest 1% on each of the 5 quadrats on
each plot.
We estimated both cover category values on plots
and percentage cover values on quadrats visually; on
quadrats we used a 1-m2 frame sectioned into 1/100-
m2 squares to assist in estimating cover to the
nearest 1%. In addition, we counted the numbers of
spineflower plants on quadrats, and estimated
spineflower numbers on each 50-m2 plot. Following
the compilation of pre-treatment data, State Parks
staff removed all iceplant by hand in January 2005.
On even-numbered plots (n=12) we removed bulk
organic litter in February 2005; this treatment was
essentially a litter layer reduction; most plots retained June 2006, 21 plots had at least one spineflower
a shallow (<1-cm depth) litter layer after bulk removal; plant; on 3 plots spineflower cover had increased to
we left all plant litter (minus the just-removed iceplant category 4 (over 25%); spineflower plants on many
remains) on odd-numbered plots (n=13). During data 50-m2 plots had grown too numerous to count
collection visits in May 2005 and June 2006, and as individually.
plot maintenance in January 2006, we removed all On the 125 quadrats within those 25 plots, prior to
observed iceplant that had germinated or otherwise iceplant removal, spineflower cover averaged virtually
regrown onto plots. zero (less than 0.1%); the total number of plants was
Photo-documentation 54. By May 2005, spineflower cover on quadrats had
We photographed all plots prior to iceplant removal, increased to a mean of 0.24%, with 108 plants
following the litter removal process, and during data accounting for that cover. In June 2006, spineflower
compilation in May 2005 and June 2006. Each plot cover had reached an average of 2.7% on quadrats
was photographed from just outside each plot corner by virtue of 758 plants counted.
and labeled corresponding to the nearest cardinal In May 2005, as measured on quadrats (n=60),
direction for that corner. spineflower cover on litter-removal plots averaged
Statistical Compilation 0.4%, whereas on littered quadrats (n=65), the mean
I compiled all data collected into an Excel for this measure was 0.3%. As of June 2006,
spreadsheet, arranged by plots, quadrats, species, spineflower cover on litter-removal quadrats averaged
other ground cover types, and physical data (slope, about 3.2%, and on littered quadrats the mean was
exposure, etc.). Each observed plant species has 2.2%.
been designated native or non-native; any taxon not
identified to a level sufficient to determine native
status were left out of computations. To date, I’ve
attempted no statistical analyses other than
computing simple means and proportions between
groups, litter treatments, and years. Thus, all results
shown below are based on raw data and basic
spreadsheet computations.
Cover category values are not quantitatively accurate,
and are used generally to assess relative cover over
multiple samples over a relatively broad area. Keep
in mind that these values were only employed on the
50-m2 plots, not on the 1-m2 quadrats. I’ve used
computations derived from cover category values
here mostly to illustrate general patterns of relative
cover and species dominance – these data will not be
used at this time for statistical analyses.
Plot 13SW: State Parks Environmental Services Intern,
Preliminary Results Terra Fuller, collects data in one of the 50-m2 plots where
Iceplant cover dropped precipitously following initial iceplant was removed. Iceplant can be seen in the
removal: from an average cover category of 5.8 (out foreground and background; Grindelia stricta occupies
of maximum value of 6) and a mean cover on the near corner of the plot.
quadrats of 81.6%, prior to removal, to an average
In addition to investigating the recovery of Howell’s
cover category value of 0.9 on plots and 0.24% on
spineflower, we are also interested in the recovery of
quadrats, in May 2005. In June of 2006, the average
other native species, or conversely, in the
cover category value of iceplant cover was 0.84, and
colonization by non-native species, where iceplant
the cover on quadrats was 0.03%.
has been removed. While native species diversity
Prior to iceplant removal (January 2005), we (number of species) was greater than that of non-
observed at least one spineflower plant on 7 of the 25 native species in both years following iceplant
plots, with the spineflower cover on each of those 7 removal, average cover by the non-natives far
plots in category 1 (0-1%). By May 2005, this count exceeded that of native plants.
had increased to 12 plots with spineflower (an
In 2005, for all 25 plots, a total of 27 non-native
estimated 369 plants in total), with spineflower cover
species averaged a cover category value of 0.36,
in category 2 (between 1 and 5%) on 3 plots. In early
whereas 48 native species averaged a value of 0.26.
7 November-December ’06
The top six species in cover category average were
Bromus diandrus (1.72), Rumex acetosella (1.08),
Geranium molle (0.96), Lupinus littoralis (0.96),
Carpobrotus edulis (0.92), and Polygonum
paronychia (0.92); Lupinus and Polygonum are native
species. At that time, the average cover value for
litter was 5.16, and for sand, 2.56.
In 2006, 38 non-native plant species averaged about
the same cover category value, 0.36, while a total of
52 native species increased the average cover
category value to 0.30. The top six cover values
were for Bromus diandrus (2.72), Rumex acetosella
(1.84), Chorizanthe (1.56), Briza maxima (1.32),
Daucus pusillus (1.08), and Lupinus littoralis (1.08);
Chorizanthe, Daucus, and Lupinus are native
species. Also in 2006, litter cover averaged a value
of 4.16, and sand a value of 3.08, on the 25 plots.
Grouping the individual cover proportions by native
and non-native species allows a cursory estimation of
the relative recovery of these two suites of plants. On
quadrats, the total of plant cover and that of other
types of groundcover (e.g., litter, sand, soil, rock)
varies due to overlap of plant species with one
another, i.e., the total is not necessarily 100%, but
can vary from 100% upwards based upon the amount
of overlap (layering) among plant species.
In 2005, across the 125 quadrats, native species
averaged 3.0% of all cover, non-native plants
averaged 6.5%, while the mean relative cover for
sand was 11.3% and that for litter was 79.2%. As of
June 2006, native species averaged 9.4% cover on
quadrats, non-native species 23.5%, sand 23.0%,
and litter 44.2%. Thus, while total plant cover
increased from about 9.5% in 2005 to almost 33% in
2006, the proportional increase in non-native plant
cover was greater than that for native plants.
In 2006, Briza maxima, Bromus diandrus, Geranium
molle, Rumex acetosella, and Vulpia myuros
accounted for most of the non-native species cover.
In contrast, among native species, only Chorizanthe
howellii consistently accounted for a relatively large
proportion of cover on plots and quadrats, with many
others, such as Ambrosia chamissonis, Bromus
carinatus, Daucus pusillus, Grindelia stricta, Leymus
pacificus, Lupinus littoralis, Poa douglasii, and
Polygonum paronychia, dominant on some plots or
portions thereof.
Labor Statistics
The total treatment area of 25 50-m2 plots equals
0.125 hectare, or about 0.3 acre. To accomplish
initial iceplant and litter removal, and plot
maintenance (1 year), we worked an estimated 332
hours. At an estimated $15/hour pay rate, the cost-
8 November-December ’06
value of this iceplant-removal trial was about $5000*
(= $16,000+/acre), and did not include expenses
incurred for data compilation, equipment, or most
importantly, removal of plant debris (left on-site
adjacent to plots) – a step that would be necessary
for more extensive site restoration. (*Actual costs
were higher, based on differential pay rates, travel
costs, etc.)
Discussion
The decrease in iceplant cover from pre-treatment
through spring 2006 was expected in light of long-
term, repeated observations of the efficacy of manual
removal, and demonstrated that this method can
indeed reduce iceplant cover provided the resources
are available in proportion to the size of the targeted
treatment area. More importantly, the increase in
cover of Howell’s spineflower appears to be
correlated with iceplant removal, sand disturbance, or
both (however, corroboration for this observation
lacks necessary data), suggesting that spineflower
can re-colonize habitat through the removal of one of
its chief competitors for space and other vital
resources.
While the limited data preclude drawing firm
conclusions, the removal of bulk litter, several
centimeters thick on most plots, appears to hasten
the recovery of spineflower on plots thus treated.
Also worth noting is the sharp decrease in litter cover
on litter-removal plots between 2005 and 2006,
suggesting that the organic material is being
incorporated into sub-surface soil horizons, or blown
away in the wind.
The data also suggest other effects and trends. Most
notably, the removal of iceplant, while apparently
beneficial to Howell’s spineflower, does not
necessarily result in a similar recovery of other native
components of dune mat vegetation, including
several other rare annuals (e.g., Collinsia corymbosa,
Gilia millefoliata, Phacelia insularis ssp. continentis).
While we did observe increases in cover by these and
other native plant species, the proportional increase
in cover (2005 to 2006) by non-native species was
considerably greater, although one year’s data should
not be considered conclusive. Yet the dramatic
increase in non-native species such as sheep sorrel,
ripgut brome, and quaking grass suggests that
recovery of native plant habitat, including that of
Howell’s spineflower, may continue to be constrained
by the dominance exerted by these and other non-
native species, even in the absence of a suffocating
layer of iceplant.
As such, management goals aimed at sustaining the
recovery of the spineflower may need to include
measures designed to curb other invasive species
while promoting habitat improvement for native
plants. Since less disturbance on plots for iceplant
removal will be necessary over the next several
years, observing the dynamics of species cover and
composition over a sustained period of time will likely
provide valuable information to benefit further
strategic planning.
One of the more important caveats about the use of
the data, as presented, is its compilation over such a
brief time. As suggested, data collection over several
years will provide a more accurate assessment of
longer term trends, provided funding is available to
continue to gather and analyze data. This study was
limited in its scope due to funding constraints and
other considerations; the greater proportion of funding
was allocated to labor, leaving little for incorporating
additional treatments or sustaining the study over a
longer time period. In particular, the failure to
implement other treatments (in addition to manual
removal) was a lost opportunity from a landscape
management perspective.
Other trials could include the use of mechanical
equipment (excavators, tractors with rippers) or
chemical treatments. Mechanical treatment is
obviously destructive, and would result in even
greater surface disturbance than does manual
iceplant removal; native seed banks could very well
be buried beyond any potential for germination as a
result of the level of sand disturbance that this
treatment would incur. Native vegetation would likely
require considerably more time in which to recover,
and might need to be augmented through human-
assisted plant propagation and restoration.
Manual removal of iceplant, while apparently effective
for the stated purpose of recovering spineflower
habitat, is clearly not the most efficient method for
eliminating the competition, especially in light of
rapidly expanding iceplant cover and limited
management resources. In the 1990’s, glyphosate
(the active ingredient in many commonly marketed
herbicides) treatment of iceplant patches at the
Bodega Marine Reserve resulted in excellent
recovery of those sites by native plant species, albeit
in coastal bluff and prairie habitats already dominated
by native taxa (P.G. Connors, personal
communication).
Treatment of iceplant with glyphosate can be
seasonally timed to limit damage to non-target plants,
including the annual spineflower, individuals of which
have produced seed and died by late summer, being
essentially dormant through early winter when seeds
germinate in the dunes. The slow, post-treatment
decay of iceplant biomass allows for soil or sand
9 November-December ’06
retention while other species gradually re-occupy
iceplant patches. Spineflower and other species
might take longer to recover on iceplant patches
treated chemically, but this treatment might also slow
down the invasion rate of non-native plants, as well.
An additional benefit is that glyphosate treatments
could cover many times the area that could be treated
manually for equivalent commitments of resources.
Any serious attempt to reduce or eliminate the large
areas of iceplant currently dominating coastal bluffs,
dunes, and prairie must necessarily optimize the
expenditures of limited resources for such work.
If goals for dune restoration and recovery of rare
plants have any chance for success, a sudden
financial windfall or unexpected epidemic of
volunteerism notwithstanding, the tasks at hand can
not be left solely to the work of hands. I believe that
the greater benefit would accrue through the use of
all habitat management and restoration tools
available, not just those that are considered the most
politically palatable. ###
BIG RIVER STEWARDS
Join the Big River Stewards program of the
Mendocino Land Trust as we work to control invasive
plants at Big River the third Saturday of each month
beginning Sat., November 18th from 9 am to 1 pm.
Volunteers can help out at many levels. Due to the
hard work of the Stewards over the past two years,
many sites now only require a non-strenuous
maintenance visit where re-sprouted broom can
easily be pulled by hand. Other sites will require more
invigorating work to pull mature infestations. This year
we'll also document our work with photo points, map
invasive plant distributions and establish early
detection protocols so that invasive plants can be
removed before they can become wide-spread.
Last year, over forty-five volunteers worked more
than 230 hours removing non-native plants from
locations throughout our new park, including the haul
road and Big River Beach, Hi-chute Ridge and
Laguna Marsh. Help us to make this year's effort
even more successful. For more information, please
contact Stewards Coordinator Matt Coleman at 962-
0470 or mcoleman@mendocinolandtrust.org.
JEPSON HERBARIUM WORKSHOPS
The Friends of the Jepson Herbarium present a
wide range of topics in the upcoming 2007 weekend
workshop series. For information on the workshops,
please contact Cynthia Perrine at Jepson Herbarium,
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/jepwkshp.html or (510) 643–
7008. Dates and topics will be listed in the Jan-Feb
issue of the Calypso.
OFFICERS 2006
President: Lori Hubbart 882-1655
fax 882-1645
Vice President: Mario Abreu (nominated for 2007)
Secretary: Rich Schimbor (retiring) 785-9626
Treasurer: Mary Hunter 785-1150 MEMBERSHIP
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS New members:
M.D. Olson Gualala
AT LARGE OPEN
Grace & Robert Carter Gualala
CAMPING Diane Wickstrom 884-4556
CONSERVATION Lori Hubbart 882-1655 Jon & Jane Raymond Sea Ranch
Jeanne Marie Black Sea Ranch
Greg Jirak 882-1660
EDUCATION OPEN Renewal – your renewal date is listed on the
FIELDTRIPS Peter Warner 937-2278 address label of your CNPS Bulletin or Fremontia.
HISTORIAN Ramona Crooks 884-3585 Gift Memberships - Give a friend or
HOSPITALITY: neighbor a gift membership.
North Coast OPEN
South Coast Beverly Sloane 785-3134 Please Contact Bob Rutemoeller, 884-4426;
Roberta Rams 884-4847 brutem@mcn.org if you have questions.
INVASIVES Peter Warner 937-2278
JUBATA ERADICATION:
-- at Sea Ranch Roz Bray 785-2694 CNPS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
LEGISLATION OPEN
MAILINGS Roberta Rams 884-4847
DOROTHY KING YOUNG CHAPTER
MEMBERSHIP Bob Rutemoeller 884-4426 Membership in the California Native Plant Society is
NEWSLETTER Julia Larke 964-2845 open to all. The task and mission of the Society is to
PLANT SALE Jon Thompson (retiring) 884-4847 increase awareness, understanding, and appreciation
PLANT WATCH Heidi Marshall 884-3831 of California native plants. The challenge is to
POSTERS Lynn Tuft 785-3392 preserve their natural habitat through scientific
PROGRAMS OPEN; Lori Hubbart (pro tem) educational, and conservation activities. Membership
PUBLICITY Gail Hamilton 884-3807 includes subscription to the quarterly Fremontia, as
RARE & ENDANGERED: well as our local chapter newsletter, the Calypso.
Coordinator Teresa Sholars 962-2686 Name_____________________________________
Inland Clare Wheeler-Sias 895-3131 Address___________________________________
Sea Ranch Elaine Mahaffey 785-2279 City _______________________ Zip ___________
Sonoma Co. Dorothy Scherer 882-2850 Tel. ___________ E-mail_____________________
South Coast Mary Rhyne 884-3043
I wish to affiliate with the DKY Chapter___________
VEGETATION
or, other chapter ____________________________
North & South OPEN
WEBMASTER Norm Jensen (Please check, or name a chapter; CNPS will make
webmaster@dkycnps.org assignment if none is specified by applicant.)
All phone numbers are Area Code 707. MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY
Student/Retired/Limited Income $25
NEXT BOARD MEETING: The next meeting Individual $45
of the Executive Board is scheduled for the first week in Family/Group/Library $75
January at the Point Arena Library. For details, please Plant Lover $100
contact Lori Hubbart at 882-1655. Patron $300
Benefactor $600
CALYPSO DEADLINE: Please send Mariposa Lily $1,500
newsletter items by January 6, 2007 to: Julia Larke, Make check out to the California Native Plant Society;
P.O. Box 1631, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437; 964-2845, mail check and application to:
jlarke@mcn.org.
Bob Rutemoeller, Membership Committee
CHAPTER WEBPAGE: www.dkycnps.org. DKY Chapter, CNPS
Please send photographs and articles for posting to PO Box 577
Norm Jensen, webmaster@dkycnps.org. Gualala, CA 95445

10 November-December ’06