Join Ken Himes and Don Thomas of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter and me mbers of the Yerba Buena Chapter for our spring fountain thistle habitat re storation work party near the intersection of I-280 and Hwy. 92. We’ll meet on Saturday, May 25 and work from 10am to noon.
Fountain thistle (Cirsium fontinale var. fontina le) is a federally endangered plant species that grows in an unusual s pecialized habitat, serpentine seeps, and is only found at our work locatio n and in few other nearby locations on the Peninsula.
Its recovery he re is a restoration success story. Once almost completely displaced by juba tagrass (Andean pampas grass), it has largely recovered here, as a result o f the work done by CNPS volunteers. However, fountain thistle is still unde r threat from invasion by new jubatagrass seedlings, by other non-native pl ants and by woody plants threatening to convert the area to shrubland or wo odland.
In addition, the bordering dry serpentine zone is habitat to another rare plant, Crystal Springs lessingia (Lessingia arachnoidea), which is threatened by invasion of yellow star-thistle, fennel, tufted wallaby grass (Rytidosperma caespitosum) and other non-native pla nts. During our work, we expect to observe some late-flowering spring wildf lowers.
Sturdy gloves are recommended; you might also want to bring s unscreen, water, a hat, layered clothing and wear long sleeves/pants. If yo u have them, bring tools, such as trowels, spades and shovels. Some tools w ill also be provided.
We’ll meet at the end of Lessingia Court in San Mateo. For more information, contact Don at This email addre ss is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ..