Join Chapter Rare Plant Chair Don Thomas to see the rare Western leatherwood (Dirca occidentalis) in the Crystal Springs Watershed along the Sawyer Camp Trail. This will be an easy slow-paced walk of about four miles round-trip, starting at the trailhead on Hillcrest and Highway 280, with a stop for lunch.
Dirca is one of the first plants to bloom each year, revealing its bright yellow hanging flowers from its bare winter branches. We will also have a chance to see other early blooming plants, such as hound’s tongue (Adelinia grandis) and trillium (Trillium chloropetalum).
Dirca is a rare paleoendemic plant native only to the San Francisco Bay Area, ranked by CNPS as 1B.2. (Read more about CNPS rare plant ranks at www.cnps.org/rare- plants/california-rare-plant-ranks.)
An optional additional short walk along the Sawyer Camp Trail will be to the Jepson Laurel. This was at one time the largest bay tree in California, but it has been declining for many years. Many large branches have died and broken off the tree over time, so it has been dethroned as the largest in the state.
Wear warm clothes and bring water and lunch.
Space is limited. No drop-ins please. To complete the required RSVP, please visit our Chapter’s Meetup page. Driving directions and parking tips are provided on the Meetup page.
Sat May 25 @ 8:00AM - 10:00AM Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Sat May 25 @10:00AM - 12:00PM Fountain Thistle Work Party |
Sat May 25 @10:00AM - 01:00PM “Seas of Downingias” Vernal Pool Wildflower Tour |
Tue May 28 @ 7:00PM - 09:00PM Native Plant ID |
Fri May 31 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Friday Edgewood Restoration |
Sat Jun 01 @ 8:00AM - 10:00AM Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Fri Jun 07 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Friday Edgewood Restoration |
Sat Jun 08 @ 8:00AM - 10:00AM Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Tue Jun 11 @ 7:00PM - 08:30PM Conservation Committee |
Fri Jun 14 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Friday Edgewood Restoration |