Join Ken Himes and Don Thomas for our fall fountain thist le habitat restoration work party near the intersection of I-280 and Hwy. 9 2. Fountain thistle (Cirsium fontinale var. fontinal e) is a federally endangered plant species that grows in an unusual sp ecialized habitat, serpentine seeps, and is only found here and in few othe r nearby locations on the Peninsula. Its recovery here is a restoration suc cess story. Once almost completely displaced by jubata grass, it has largel y recovered here, as a result of the work done by CNPS volunteers in a coop erative project of the Santa Clara Valley and Yerba Buena Chapters. However , fountain thistle is still under threat from other non-native plants, such as yellow star-thistle, fennel and wallaby grass (Rhytidosperma caespi tosum) and by woody plants trying to convert the area to shrubland or woodland. We may also be able to see late-flowering individuals of another rare plant, Lessingia arachnoidea, which grows only here and in the nearby Crystal Springs Watershed.
Sturdy gloves a re recommended; you might also want to bring sunscreen, water, a hat, layer ed clothing and wear long sleeves/pants. Tools will be provided.
Directions: We meet at the end of Lessingia Court
in San Mateo. If you can’t locate it, contact Don at
Join Ken Himes and Don Thomas for our fall fountain thist le habitat restoration work party near the intersection of I-280 and Hwy. 9 2. Fountain thistle (Cirsium fontinale var. fontinal e) is a federally endangered plant species that grows in an unusual sp ecialized habitat, serpentine seeps, and is only found here and in few othe r nearby locations on the Peninsula. Its recovery here is a restoration suc cess story. Once almost completely displaced by jubata grass, it has largel y recovered here, as a result of the work done by CNPS volunteers in a coop erative project of the Santa Clara Valley and Yerba Buena Chapters. However , fountain thistle is still under threat from other non-native plants, such as yellow star-thistle, fennel and wallaby grass (Rhytidosperma caespi tosum) and by woody plants trying to convert the area to shrubland or woodland. We may also be able to see late-flowering individuals of another rare plant, Lessingia arachnoidea, which grows only here and in the nearby Crystal Springs Watershed.
Sturdy gloves a re recommended; you might also want to bring sunscreen, water, a hat, layer ed clothing and wear long sleeves/pants. Tools will be provided.
Directions: We meet at the end of Lessingia Court
in San Mateo. If you can’t locate it, contact Don at