2016 - Robert's adventures in the Northern Sierra Nevada - California

[Robert]

Draperia systyla  is interesting, an endemic to California? in Boraginaceae ?

Maggi,

Draperia systyla is indeed endemic to California. It is predominantly a mid-elevation dweller. The 200 to 3,000 meter elevation range listed for the species would place it at both lower elevation sites as well as high elevation sites, however, at least in El Dorado County, California, I would be hard pressed to find it at either elevation extreme.

Good forms are low, dense and full, with attractive long soft hairs on the foliage. I have not seen much of a color range regarding the flowers, however I always keep my eyes open for anything different or unusual.

As of today, I have never made an attempt at growing the species in our garden, however I will now give it a try. It looks as if hard to semi-hard wood cuttings could possibly root easily. Seed is always worth trying too.

For a long time Draperia was in the Hydrophyllaceae, Waterleaf, family. As of this moment, Hydrophyllaceae is now a sub-family of the Borage Family, Boraginaceae. From what little I know and can observe it appears the taxonomy of the Boraginaceae family could be in chaos. Nana lobbii (another attractive species seen in bloom on my last outing - photograph did not turn out) is now Eriodictyon lobbii and there are all sorts of other "changes" within the family too. Hang on! more changes could be coming in the future. For me this is a sad situation (the constant, and perhaps needless changes, some of which may most likely be based on human imperfection rather than science), however it is what we have to live with.

[Robert]

Trond and Tim,

I do the best I can to report on what I observe without too much bias. However, I do admit that I have some very strong biases especially when it come to clear-cut logging and the use of herbicides in such situations.

Trond,

Perhaps to answer some of your question, I have observed mono-culture timber production in our area for many, many years. I have looked closely at the trees. Generally the trees do not seem healthy (many signs of disease and stress). It also seems that the timber is of extremely poor quality for lumber, perhaps only good for nothing more than pulp. Maybe this is the goal!? In the past, much of our California timber and timber products were shipped to Japan.

Remember I admit to a bias, however I will try to document (writing and photographs) what I observe in an open way. I hope that I can keep this open enough for others to come to their own conclusions based partly on the information I provide. Ultimately, I would like to see a system were the greatest good comes to the greatest number of beings (plants, animals, fish, air, water, humans, everything). Such things seem rare on this planet, however I feel compelled to try, even knowing the likelihood of any sort of even limited success is very slim.

And yes, I too often feel depresses at the clear-cutting, herbicide use, etc. It must have been how John Muir felt when they started to build Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.   

[Robert]

I had a very interesting outing yesterday, 25 May 2016, to the North Fork of the Mokelomne River. As you can see the day started out clear with fine weather. This would change very quickly.



My goal was to explore the north bank of Salt Springs Reservoir, a region of spectacular scenery.



The weather was to turn tempestuous. A beautiful colony of Calochortus venustus in bloom was a great find despite being soaked to the bone.

I will be reporting on this adventure soon.

[Robert]

Salt Springs Reservoir

Part I

Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Sacramento Weather

Weather: Partly Cloudy
Temperature, High: 78 F (25.5 C), Low: 54 F (12 C)

Placerville Weather

Weather: Partly Cloudy
Temperature, High: 75 F (24 C), Low: 48 F (9 C)



On Wednesday, I set out for the upper regions of the North Fork of the Mokelomne River and Salt Springs Reservoir. It had been 10 years or more since I had last traveled or explored around Salt Springs Reservoir. I was very eager to return to this very special place.

The most direct route requires that I drive to over 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) into the Sierra Nevada before traveling deep into the Mokelomne River canyon and Salt Springs Reservoir.

The photograph is a view looking west toward the Sacramento Valley from this high point.



I could have stopped here and stayed in this area to observe plants. There were many early season species in bloom such as this Phlox diffusa. Look closely and notice the Viola purprurea growing out from under the Phlox.



I had a strong determination to continue to Salt Springs Reservoir. I wanted to explore the north bank of the reservoir. Most of the north bank and upper Mokelomne River Canyon is protected as wilderness. The north bank of Salt Springs Reservoir is one of the few mid-elevation sites in our part of California that is protected as wilderness, an excellent study site for some of my projects.



Calaveras Dome is very near Salt Springs Reservoir.

In addition, the scenery is spectacular, in some ways similar to Yosemite National Park to the south. Another feature of this region is how the geology, topography, etc. create a unique mixture and overlapping of plant communities. Compared to other sites in our region, human activity and disturbance is somewhat limited. For me, this is a great place to study plants, natural history, etc.



The annual Lupine species, Lupinus stiversii greeted me as I arrived at the trail head.

[Robert]

The trail head that traverses the north shore of Salt Springs Reservoir starts at an elevation of 3,968 feet (1,210 meters). Other than an initial climb up and around a cliff face, the trail more or less follows the bank of the reservoir. My goal this day was to explore the north bank of the reservoir as well as some of the Mokelomne River Canyon above the reservoir.

Lupinus stiversii, an annual species, was quite colorful and grew abundantly in this area.



The south facing canyon face is open and rocky as one starts out on the trail. Acmispon agrophyllus var. fremontii is well adapted to grow in such hot xeric sites. This species seems as if it would be perfect for a xeric rock garden in a somewhat temperate climate. One of the days I will give it a try.



The growing season is progressing well into mid-season in this area. Keckellia breviflora grew abundantly in this hot, dry area and the plants were in full bloom.



Minuartia californica also grew and was blooming abundantly in this area. Their tiny white flowers looked great mixed with the Mimulus torreyi, Dichelostemma multiflorum, Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum, and other species that they rambled about with.



Directly facing the hot summer sun grew colonies of Dudleya cymosa. Generally, but not always, I find this species growing in more shaded locations.

[Robert]

The day started out clear, however when I arrived at the reservoir convective cloud build up had already started. The weather was changing very rapidly. After a short distance it started to rain. At this point the rain was light and there was still blue sky ahead of me. I decided to continue toward the upper canyon.

Here the habitat was still very rocky, hot and dry. Eriodictyon californica was growing and blooming as the rain started to fall.



Eriodictyon califronica has very leathery, resin laden leaves. Local Native Americans chewed the leaves like chewing gum. It is quite good, having a pleasant flavor.



Lupinus grayi grew in sunnier sites near the reservoir. Huge tracts of this species were in full bloom in other areas, as I will show later.



The trail eventually entered an ancient oak forest. Gigantic and gnarled oaks, Quercus chrysolepis, grew with their huge branches arching to the forest floor. Where there was adequate light nice clumps of Iris hartwegii were in flower.



Draperia systyla is a common plant at this elevation. At one site I found this species growing with Calystegia malacophylla twinning in and around them. The leaf shape and tomentose foliage of Calystegia malacophylla is quite distinct. I hope that I can return when they are in bloom.

.....but now I needed to press on. The rain had stopped at this moment, however the sky was quickly becoming very dark and threatening.

To be continued....

[Hoy]

I'll make a little interruption, Robert. This is great! The annual Lupinus stiversii is very brilliant!

[Maggi Young]

I'd never even  heard of the Lupinus stiversii before  -an annual that would cheer anyone up.

[astragalus]

Doesn't the wonderful color combination of Lupinus stieversii make you immediately think of Polygala chamaebuxus rhodoptera? (Or whatever they call it these days?)

[Maggi Young]

Doesn't the wonderful color combination of Lupinus stieversii make you immediately think of Polygala chamaebuxus rhodoptera? (Or whatever they call it these days?)

 Yes, it does, you're right. (and I don't know WHAT they are calling that these days!)

[Robert]

Salt Springs Reservoir

Part II

Throughout the morning and early afternoon the weather kept flirting with rain showers. As the day progressed the rain showers started to become more frequent and intense. Photography was very challenging under the circumstances, which is a shame as there were many different and interesting species I wished to photograph.

Between the rain drops I photographed this Asclepias cordifolia with Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum.



Castilleja applegatei was the dominate Paintbrush species this day. It is very easily distinguished by its short glandular and long non-glandular hairs and wavy leaf margin.  There are a number of subspecies that are straight forward in their identification, unfortunately I did not look close enough to make the determination. Mostly likely they were spp. pinetorum.

This was not the only Orobanchaceae I saw this day. Orobanche uniflora was in bloom here and there along the trail. Unfortunately, it was always raining when I saw them. 



Another species seen frequently this day was Toxicoscordion paniculatum, one of 7 species that are native in California.



I had managed to hike in 2.5 miles (4 km ). At this point the sky became very threatening and there was the sound of thunder not very far in the distance. It was time to retreat back to the truck - very quickly!



Within 5 minutes the skies opened with heavy rain and hail. Now the thunder and lightning was right on top of me. I made quick time back to the truck, however at this point I was soaked to the bone. Foolishly I had left my rain gear at home thinking it would be a fine, clear weather day.   

[Robert]

It was disappointing for me to miss the opportunity to photograph some of the species I saw. Comandra umbellata ssp. californica, is not a showy species, but is one that I do not see very often. They were in full bloom. There were also a number of native grasses in their prime, such as Elymus glaucus, Stipa lemmonii, and Melica torreyana.

There was even one mystery species (not in bloom) that I had never seen before. It "looked like" a native species, maybe something that could be predominantly an "east side" species (east of the Sierra crest). I will want to return to see and identify this species when it is in bloom. The potential of species spill-over from eastern Sierra habitats (and other regions to the north and south) is of prime interest to me in this area.

Now that I was soaked and would too easily chill, I needed to come up with another option for the rest of the day. Maybe some roadside "car botany".

There were plenty of nice things to see, such as this swath of Lupinus grayi and Iris hartwegii.



As mentioned earlier, there were large areas of Lupinus grayi in full bloom. It was spectacular.



Lupinus grayi is somewhat similar to L. breweri (I never saw L. breweri this day). Both the plant and the inflorescence of Lupinus grayi are larger than that of L. breweri, however, if in doubt, check the upper keel margin of a flower. In Lupinus grayi it is densely hairy.



I did not spend much time out of the truck as I was still wet and chilled easily, however this patch of Calochortys venustus grabbed my attention. Chill or no chill they had my attention as I closely examined all the plants in this colony.



All the plants were various shades of soft to deep lavender-pink. There were a few white ones too. Generally, but not always, Calochortus venustus has a second paler blotch above the first blotch. Although there were not any plants with 2 blotches, they were clearly Calochortus venustus as the nertaries were square, the anthers were lilac colored, and the sepals were long acuminate with recurved tips.

[Robert]

More Calochortus venustus. This one a bit lighter in color.



Calochortus venustus in profile.



After examining the Calochortus I moved on down the mountain taking the back roads. I was hoping to spot unique geological and topographical features for future outings.

This patch of Clarkia arcuata looked great in full bloom.



... as well as this beautiful patch of Limnanathes alba ssp. alba.



These were an unusually brightly colored form of Calyptridium momospermum.

[Robert]

As I crossed the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes River I knew the botany day was nearing its end.

Despite the rain, soaking and chill I was still pleased with the day. The scenery was spectacular and I saw a good variety of species under limiting circumstances. I hope to return soon to continue my exploration of this area in more detail.

Until next time......

[astragalus]

Looks like a wonderful day despite the weather.