The weather is transitioning gradually towards Springtime and thus is bringing about new life outside. The Toxicodendron diversilobum is both leafing out and developing flower buds, Cynoglossum grande is in full bloom, Calypso bulbosa has been happily flowering and Arctostaphylos have come to life with bees busily visiting flowers. The warmer weather also spells the end to the height of Fungi season, less mushrooms are being seen across the landscape as the soil gradually dries underneath the warm sun. Pteridium aquilinum have emerged from dormancy, fiddleheads reaching up from their rhizomes and uncurling to the welcoming sun. Gymnosperms have responded by producing ample pollen which dusts the landscape. Aesculus californica began leafing out a few weeks ago, bringing early notice of the imminent arrival of spring. Corylus are beginning to leaf out, following the small female flowers, solitary yet brilliant with a bright red stigma. Soon the fuzzy leaves will fully emerge in a lovely display.
Despite what the calendar may say, the plants seem to agree that spring has sprung. As the days vary from warm to overcast, it is good to see pollinators getting nutrition and the life cycles continuing to spin. Stay tuned for more brilliant floral displays as the weather continues to warm and the rains fade in memory.
This Natural Area Botanica Study will cover the watershed following Green Valley Creek in Western Sonoma County, California. This area is between the towns of Forestville, Graton and Occidental; elevations range from the valley floor to approximately 500 feet above sea level. This study will focus on a range of approximately 13 acres and encompass several plant communities, primarily conifer forests dominated by Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) and Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Lower vascular plants are also heavily represented, primarily Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) and Western Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum). The riparian area around the creek will be included as well as areas of shrubs like Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis) and Manzanita (Arctostaphylos).
This area is of sentimental importance to this naturalist and represents a fairly pristine forest habitat. This botanically rich area features an extensive array of native plant species, and this study aims to uncover previously unnoticed or underappreciated species.
At present this area is lush and green, the soil heavy from the recent extensive winter rain events. Many species are beginning to push out new growth, the land is gradually awakening from it's winter slumber. Meanwhile, the Bryophytes have been thriving in this wet weather, mosses and hornworts abound on the sheltered slopes and are producing their sporophyte generation for efficient reproduction while the rains last. Additionally, fungi continue to develop mushrooms for spore dispersal taking advantage of the high winds this area has been experiencing this past week.
Stay tuned for more developments as the rains and temperatures cue more species towards growth and renewal.
(this journal entry originally posted within Projects: NABS Green Valley Watershed on February 22, 2017)
