Are you confounded/stymied/intimidated by botanic names? Why say “Heteromeles arbutifolia” when “toyon” will do? What do they mean? What is the correct pronunciation?
Join Arvind Kumar and Ashok Jethanandani for a walk through this beautiful preserve as we identify the plants around us. We intend to tackle botanic names head on ̶ with roots in Greek or Latin, each botanic name tells its own story. Toyon’s botanic name translates as “different apple with madrone-like leaves,” a reference to its red berries and serrated-edge foliage. We may even learn how to say it right (secret tip: with confidence!).
We will go up the Mayfair Ranch Trail and return via the Longwall Canyon Trail. The distance covered will be 4.3 miles with 500’ of elevation gain. We will walk through a variety of habitats: grassland, oak woodland, scrub, chaparral and riparian. We expect to see oaks, bay laurel, madrone, bigberry manzanita, toyon, coffeeberry, buckeye, holly-leaved cherry and snowberry.
Meet in the preserve parking lot at 10 am. Bring a hat, water, and a bag lunch. Dress in layers and appropriately for mid-fall weather. Heavy rain cancels. RSVP through www.meetup.com (“California Native Plant Society – Santa Clara Valley Chapter”) or at the OSA Events page www.openspaceauthority.org/visitors/events.html.
Mon Apr 07 @ 7:00PM - 08:30PM Conservation Committee |
Wed Apr 09 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park (Gilroy) |
Fri Apr 11 @ 9:00AM - Edgewood Restoration |
Sat Apr 12 @ 8:00AM - 10:00AM Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Sat Apr 12 @ 9:00AM - 11:00AM Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park |
Sat Apr 12 @ 9:00AM - 11:00AM Cataldi Park Native Garden |
Sat Apr 12 @ 9:00AM - 11:00AM Kirk Park Pollinator Garden |
Sat Apr 12 @10:00AM - 04:00PM Growing Natives Garden Tour 2025 |
Sat Apr 12 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Mommy and Me wildflower walk in Sunol Regional Wilderness |
Sun Apr 13 @10:00AM - 04:00PM Growing Natives Garden Tour 2025 |