Join Don Thomas of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter and mem bers of the Yerba Buena Chapter for our spring fountain thistle habitat res toration work party near the intersection of I-280 and Hwy. 92. Fountain th istle (Cirsium fontinale var. fontinale) is a f ederally endangered plant species that grows in an unusual specialized habi tat, serpentine seeps, and is only found here and in few other nearby locat ions on the Peninsula. Its recovery here is a restoration success story. On ce almost completely displaced by jubata grass, it has largely recovered he re, as a result of the work done by CNPS volunteers in a cooperative projec t of the Santa Clara Valley and Yerba Buena Chapters. However, fountain thi stle is still under threat from other non-native plants, such as yellow sta r-thistle, fennel and wallaby grass (Rhytidosperma caespitosum) an d by woody plants trying to convert the area to shrubland or woodland. Also , another rare plant, Lessingia arachnoidea, which grows only here and in the nearby Crystal Springs Watershed, is threatened by invasio n of yellow starthistle.
Sturdy gloves are recommended; you might also want to bring sunscreen, water, a hat, layered clothing and wear long sleeves/pants. Tools will be provided.
Directions: We meet at the end of Lessingia Court in San Mateo. I f you can’t locate it, contact Don at T his email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript ena bled to view it.