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.
Wed Apr 02 @ 9:30AM - 01:30PM Red Hills Serpentine Walk (Tuolumne County) |
Wed Apr 09 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park (Gilroy) |
Sat Apr 12 @10:00AM - 02:00PM Mommy and Me wildflower walk in Sunol Regional Wilderness |
Mon Apr 14 Napa Valley Wildflower Camping Trip |
Tue Apr 15 Napa Valley Wildflower Camping Trip |
Wed Apr 16 Napa Valley Wildflower Camping Trip |
Thu Apr 17 Napa Valley Wildflower Camping Trip |
Fri Apr 18 Napa Valley Wildflower Camping Trip |
Sat Apr 19 @12:00PM - 03:30PM Vernal Pool Wildflower Tours in Fremont |