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.
Tue Sep 17 Online Plant Sale |
Wed Sep 18 @ 7:00PM - 08:30PM Talk: CNPS SCV 2023-2024 Research Scholarship Projects |
Thu Sep 19 @ 7:00PM - 09:00PM CNPS SCV Board Meeting |
Fri Sep 20 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Friday Edgewood Restoration |
Sat Sep 21 @ 8:00AM - 10:00AM Lake Cunningham Native Garden |
Sat Sep 21 @ 9:00AM - 11:00AM Community Work Day at the Native Plant Garden in Kirk Park |
Sat Sep 21 @10:00AM - 01:00PM California Nutmeg Tree Hike at Villa Montalvo (Saratoga) |
Sun Sep 22 @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM Bird and Plant ID Walk at Lake Cunningham Park (San Jose) |
Sun Sep 22 @ 1:00PM - 03:00PM Seed and Cutting Exchange + Plant Sale Pickup |
Tue Sep 24 @ 7:00PM - 09:00PM Native Plant ID |