Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos, Ericaceae family) have proliferated in California's Mediterranean climate in multiple ways. Tom will introduce you to the diversity of this group, and then focus on two stories. The first story is where manzanitas come from, so we will examine the history of a small subfamily, the Arbutoideae, of the blueberry/rhododendron/heath family (Ericaceae). Most of the genera in this subfamily occur in California, but only two are in northern California. This history leads into the second story, how manzanitas have captured mutualists, rodents such as chipmunks and chaparral mice, that bury fruits that help them survive our fires.
Tom Parker, Professor of Biology Emeritus, taught at San Francisco State University for 40 years before retiring from teaching. He was educated at the University of Texas (B.A.) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (M.A., Ph.D.). He is principally an evolutionary ecologist who works mainly in tidal wetlands and chaparral. He is the principal author of the treatment for Arctostaphylos in Flora of North America and The Jepson Manual, 2nd Ed.
Mon Jun 30 @ 8:30AM - Alum Rock Park Restoration |
Wed Jul 02 @ 8:30AM - Alum Rock Park Restoration |
Thu Jul 03 Ebbetts Pass and Calaveras Big Trees State Park |
Fri Jul 04 Ebbetts Pass and Calaveras Big Trees State Park |
Fri Jul 04 @ 9:00AM - Edgewood Restoration |
Sat Jul 05 Ebbetts Pass and Calaveras Big Trees State Park |
Sat Jul 05 @ 8:00AM - 10:00AM Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Sat Jul 05 @ 9:00AM - 11:00AM Cataldi Park Native Garden |
Sat Jul 05 @ 9:00AM - 11:00AM Kirk Park Pollinator Garden |
Sun Jul 06 Ebbetts Pass and Calaveras Big Trees State Park |