2019 - Robert's botanical adventures in Northern California

[Robert]

Two weeks prior, I photographed this or a similar scene on my previous outing. At that time there was 96 cm of snow blanketing the ground. With a peak solar radiation averaging a bit over 1,000 W/m2 each day the snow certainly did not linger. During this time period temperature were average for this time of year.



I was very curious to see what plants species were now active in this barren looking landscape. At this location Juniperus grandis reaches its low elevation limit in this region. The Juniper Trees at this site are limited to one relatively small area.



Small hummocks of Carex subnigricans are scattered throughout this site. This is a very common scene in the higher terrain of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.



In places Carex subnigricans was in full bloom. Often as the snow is melting the plants can be seen partly flooded with melt water. This soon changes as the landscape quickly becomes parched dry.



I saw a number of small colonies of Viola purpurea ssp. integrifolia growing among the rocks. In our area, this subspecies is frequently seen growing in rocky gravelly areas, with either granodiorite or andesite as a base rock material.

[Robert]

There were many beautiful stands of Green Leaf Manzanita, Arctostaphylos patula, in full bloom. The nectar in the flowers of this early blooming species is a major food source for the many insects that are now active.



As I carefully explored the site, I noticed that many small bulbous species had emerged from the ground and were preparing to bloom.



Many plants of Allium obtusum var. obtusum were already in bloom. This species has a strong preference for gravelly soil in full sun. Within a month or so, the ground will be bone dry and the plants dormant until next spring.



The tiny Dicentra uniflora can be difficult to spot in the gravelly barrens. The species is quite common, however it is quite ephemeral and tiny so it is rarely noticed.



This specimen appears to have two flowers.

[Robert]

I was very pleased to find Eriogonum umbellatum growing in this area. At this time I could not definitively identify it to the variety level. I have found two varieties in this area and will be curious to identify this patch of plants when they come into bloom.



I was not surprised to find Eremogone kingii var. glabrescens in this area. This species seems to enjoy growing in these gravelly, seemingly barren, sunny, open sites. If one looks closely at the exposed roots it is easy to determine that this plant is quite old.



Down in the gully the creek was still flowing near its high water mark.



The majority of the snow had just recently melted from this area. 500 to 1,000 feet (152 to 305 meters) higher in elevation, there was still a great deal of snow on the ground. These areas may not been free of the majority of the snow until 1 June or even later in the season.



As I continued my hike through this site I repeatedly found scattered colonies of Viola purpurea ssp. integrifolia.

[Robert]

I was extremely excited when I found this natural Viola tomentosa x V. purpurea ssp. integrifolia hybrid. I searched carefully for more hybrids and the Viola tomentosa parent, but did not find any in the vacinity. Both species are quite common in this area. In other parts of the basin I have found other V. tomentosa x V. purpurea hybrids.



While looking for more Viola tomentosa hybrids I spotted many small colonies of Claytonia lanceolata in bloom. This is a bulbous species that will quickly go dormant when the ground becomes dry.



There was plenty of snow free ground, but there was also plenty of snow in shaded areas and along north facing slopes. The pink snow mold is quite common, however I know very little about the various types at this time.



I had some time constrains and needed to leave the Montane Basin site and travel over to Peavine Ridge. Those who read this diary on a regular basis will be very familiar with this view. This scene is a good barometer for me. It gives me a good idea of conditions in the higher terrain of the Crystal Range.



Late in the day, convective clouds started to form. May and early June is traditionally a period of increased thunderstorm activity in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. “Inside Sliders” (storms moving northwest to southeast into the Great Basin of the U.S.A.) and there trailing front often trigger thunderstorm activity during this time period. This year the trigger has been a series of cut-off low-pressure areas that have moved through the southern portion of California.

There is generally a pause in thunderstorm activity until July or early August when the Southwest Monsoon reaches California. At this time thunderstorm activity generally increases again. Each monsoon season is different, some being much more active in our area than other seasons.

This was another highly productive outing. The Viola tomentosa hybrid was definitely the high point of this outing. Montane Basin is a botanically rich site with many complexities. I will be returning frequently in the coming years.

Until next time…

[Hoy]

Robert,

interesting as always!

I am curious about the barren landscape with the Juniperus grandis. Why doesn't more tree species (like pine) grow there? Is it heavy metals, shallow soil or other reasons?

The pink snow is possibly Chlamydomonas nivalis? A very common green(!) algae in snow.

[Robert]

Hi Trond,

I geology at this site is very interesting. The barrens in question are located at the lower end of the basin. It is part of a granodiorite extension on an east-west axis that partly blocks the exit of the basin. The northern ridge of the basin consists of Shoo Fly Formation metamorphic rocks, sediments layed down during the Permian in the ancient Sierran Seas, metamorphosed in an oceanic trench, and eventually lifted to there present location. The southern ridge of the basin consists of granodiorite, part of the Sierran granite batholith formed during the Mesozoic Era.

During the last Ice Age, an ice sheet moved over the barrens scrapping away some of the rock, however the ridge also must have slowed or halted the flow of ice at some point. Parts have the appearance of a moraine with much rock debris.

Today, the barrens consist of very shallow soils and bare rock. A portion has moraine like qualities, a jumble of various sized rocks (very large to small) with pockets of soil. Other portions are flat benches, some being bare rock (upper portion), some having a goodly amount of soil and partly forested (lower portions).

The barrens also act as a cold air dam. The elevation at the bottom of the Montane Basin is ~ 5,400 feet (1,646 meters). This winter I recorded below 0 F  (-17.8 C) temperatures in the basin. This is the only site at this elevation where I recorded below 0 F temperatures this season. All the other sites where I recorded similar low temperatures were above 6,500 feet (1,981 meters).

The Montane Basin is a transition area between different ecological zones. Species can be found at this site that are associated with plant communities from much higher and lower elevations. The topography and geology play a major role in shaping the ecology of this site. It is an amazing site. Every visit brings new surprises and insights.

[Robert]

PEAVINE RIDGE
&
TELEPHONE RIDGE
El Dorado County, California

Part I

Wednesday, 8 May 2019

Weather for selected location

Eldorado National Forest, 5,146 feet, 1,569 meters
Weather: Broken Clouds
Temperature, High: 74 F, 23.3 C
                       Low: 39 F, 3.8 C
Relative Humidity: 52%
Dew Point: 50 F, 10 C
Wind: SSW 7 G 10
Precipitation: 0.00 inches (0.0 mm)


I spent this past week exploring the Peavine Ridge and Telephone Ridge regions in El Dorado County, California. Although it is familiar territory, it is a large area and there is much to see throughout the year. The King Fire destroyed much of the timber in parts of this region during the autumn of 2014, but like many wildfires some areas escaped damage.



I started my activities in the canyon of the South Fork of the American River. At this elevation, ~ 3,600 feet (1,097 meters), spring has arrived and the deciduous trees are blooming and coming into leaf. California Black Oak, Quercus kelloggii, and Bigleaf Maple, Acer macrophyllum, are the two most common deciduous species seen in this area.



In many locations American Vetch, Vicia americana ssp. americana, spreads throughout the forest floor. The soft lavender flowers are very attractive. Often seen blooming with American Vetch are Annual Mountain Dandelion, Agoseris heterophylla var. heterophylla and Giant Mountain Dandelion, Agoseris grandiflora var. grandiflora. Both species have yellow ligulate flowers.



In open sunny areas Scutellaria tuberosa can be seen blooming. As the name implies, this perennial species produces a small tuber about 4 cm under the surface of the ground. During the dry summer and autumn months this species is dormant, the tuber resting until the late autumn rains arrive.



The bright red flowers of Silene laciniata ssp. californica brighten the steep slopes in the area. The fish-bone foliage, bottom, right, is Agoseris grandiflora var. grandiflora.



I liked this photograph of Silene lanciniata ssp. californica. On the left, the lacy foliage of Bear Clover, Chamaebatia foliolosa, can be seen; below are a few sprigs of Galium bolanderi.

[Robert]

In somewhat shaded locations Mountain Violet, Viola purpurea ssp. purpurea, could be found blooming.



With an abundance of blooming plants and warm weather come a multitude of butterflies. I spotted this Silvery Blue, Glaucopsyche lygdamus, flying about the grassy slopes. The flight of Painted Ladies, Vanessa cardui, started in March. I saw many on this morning. Painted Ladies generally sit still for only a short time, making them difficult to photograph.



Although there were many beautiful plants to see, I had many other places to visit on this day, so I moved on to the crest of Peavine Ridge.

There can be a considerable amount of thunderstorm activity during May and early June in this region, so I always keep an eye on the sky. When I see lifted strato-form clouds like this I am generally not concerned about thunderstorm activity developing later in the day.



Viola purpurea ssp. integrifolia has a strong preference for the rocky, andesite based soils on the crest of Peavine Ridge. As seen a few photographs back, Viola purpurea ssp. purpurea has a preference for soils based on the metamorphic rocks of the Shoo Fly Complex which occupy the lower portions of the American River Canyon is this area.



My timing was perfect to gather detailed data on the Calochortus minimus that grow in this area. At this elevation, ~ 5,100 feet (1,554 meters), the earliest blooming plants had started, which was ideal for me.

[Robert]

I hiked over to the previously discussed seep to see if there was any action. Without looking closely it might appear that not much was taking place.



On closer inspection hundreds of white flowered Lewisia triphylla can be seen in full bloom. Sharing space with the Lewisia were many of the less common yellow flowered Erythranthe (Mimulus) microphylla.



Among the rocks I found this delightful cluster of Lewisia triphylla.



At one time Erythranthe (Mimulus) microphylla was grouped with Erythranthe guttata, our common yellow Monkeyflower. Unlike Erythranthe guttata, E. microphylla is a very tiny species. The flowers are only a few millimeters in sizes, and the foliage is distinctly lobed, but cannot be confused with Cut-leafed Monkeyflower, Erythranthe laciniata.



In a nearby timbered area, carpets of Ceanothus prostratus were blooming abundantly. There are some excellent blue forms of Ceanothus prostratus at this site.

[Robert]

PEAVINE RIDGE
&
TELEPHONE RIDGE
El Dorado County, California

Part II

I continued my survey on the crest of Peavine Ridge.

Although the flowers of Ceanothus prostratus are generally some shade of blue or lavender, it is not uncommon to encounter plants with white flowers.



At one site there is a persistent stand of Lilium washingtonianum ssp. washingtonianum. This species is generally found in scattered locations throughout the Crystal Basin. This species has delightful clove scented white flowers. They are typically found blooming during the first week of July. I have been tracking populations of this species in this area for decades and am concerned about their declining numbers.



I spent much of my time recording detailed information concerning the population of Calochortus minimus that grow at one site. Last summer a brush-clearing machine drove through this population. The majority of the plants survived, and it appears that the impact will be minimal.

I have been studying this population for a number of years. This pale lavender flowered form was a bit unusual for this population. Pale lavender is not an unusual color for Calochortus minimus in this region, however this is the first time I have recorded a pale lavender flowering plant in this population.



There was plenty to keep me busy, however I eventually moved on to the Telephone Ridge area. In places there are some nice views of the canyon of the South Fork of the American River. In the far distance, the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada crest can be seen.



Telephone Ridge, too, is predominantly capped with Mehrton Formation andesite. Viola purpurea ssp. integrifolia enjoys these conditions and grows abundantly throughout this area.

[Robert]

In one location I encountered a thicket of Prunus subcordata. Sierra Plum has edible fruit, however the quality can vary a great deal. I do not encounter this species often and have yet to find a shrub with good fruit.



Our native annual, Erythranthe (Mimulus) bicolor, is often seen growing on semi-barren andesite slopes in this area. Precipitation has been abundant this season, however their numbers are noticeably down this season. The deep and persistent snow cover this winter may have impacted their population numbers. More study is necessary.



The annual Minuartia californica and Erythranthe (Mimulus) bicolor enjoys similar conditions. I have noticed no noticeable change in the Minuartia population numbers this spring.



Where there is additional moisture in the soil there were stands of the white flowering Lithophragma affine in bloom. This stand was found growing on a dry, rocky slope next to a large rock. The soil next to the rock was noticeable moist. 30 cm from the rock the soil was already dusty dry.



Horkelia tridentata var. tridentata is a common and widespread species in this part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is an unassuming species. For me, its distribution can sometimes offer clues to the character of a specific habitat, so I am always paying attention when I find this species.

[Robert]

Occasionally a hard andesite stratum will create a perched water table, or be the genesis of a seasonal seep, spring, or moist meadow. This wet meadow was quite soggy. Early springtime bloomers, such as Meadow Foam, were just beginning to throw their first flowers. Late in the summer the shallow soils of this meadow will become bone dry.



The moisture loving annual, Limnanthes alba ssp. versicolor (Meadow Foam), was found throughout this meadow. In a week or so, large swaths of their white flowers will carpet this meadow for many weeks.



As I worked my way along the ridge I found an extremely interesting low elevation colony of Calochortus minimus. At 4,672 feet (1,424 meters), this colony is very close to the low elevation limit for this species in our region. This small isolated colony exhibited a great deal of variance in many of their physical traits. Many of the bulbs produced 7 to 9 flowers. This characteristic is not unusual, however it was unusual to find an abundance of plants producing 5 to 9 flowers per bulb. 2 flowers per bulb are typical.



The leaves were highly variable in this isolated population. I noted considerable variation in length, width and coloration of the leaves. The leaves of some specimens contained an abundance of anthocyanids giving their leaves a purple tint.

After carefully recording information, I made an effort to find more plants or colonies in the immediate area. I did not find any.



I take many photographs of Fritillaria micrantha. If I am lucky, maybe 1% turn out well. This is unfortunate as the species has intricately colored flowers that might be interesting to see. The thermal belts on Peavine Ridge and Telephone Ridge are close to the high elevation limit for this species.

[Robert]

This robust form of Viola purpurea ssp. integrifolia stood out among the others in this area. It is always good to take note of exceptional specimens and visit them frequently.



As I dropped in elevation colonies of the annual Nemophila heterophylla appeared and became increasingly abundant as I continued down the mountain. In this area I also encountered the “find of the day”, the tiny annual Collinsia sparsiflora var. collina. This species is quite small and was impossible for me to photograph. This subspecies is rare to this region.



Silene laciniata ssp. californica also appeared frequently. This grouping of Silene and Nemophila growing under a Ponderosa Pine, Pinus ponderosa, was very pleasing.



As I worked my way back to the crest of Telephone Ridge I found a stand of Allium obtusum var. obtusum growing out of the rocky and dry andesite rubble. This species, along with Allium campanulatum, grow abundantly on the crest of Peavine and Telephone Ridge.



Bitter Cherry, Prunus emarginata, is a very common species in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and throughout western North America, including Baja California. The species can be found over a considerable altitude range in our area. The flowers and fruit of this small shrubby species are attractive.

This, more or less, was the end of this outing. For me it is absolutely amazing that I can visit a site repeatedly for decades and continue to find something new and interesting during each visit. My outings are always extremely interesting, enlightening and worthwhile. I am already planning the next outing, however stormy, winter-like weather is on the near horizon. Including proxy data from other sources, I now have over 12 reporting meteorological stations in this region, with a wealth of historical climatic data. Climatic conditions are shifting. It will be very interesting to see how this bout of stormy weather compares to past events in May.

Until the next time…

[Robert]

I was up in the Sierra Nevada a couple of times this week, however heavy rain and snow with strong winds prevented me from getting much done.

As an example, in the lower portions of the Lyons Creek Basin, 6,800 feet (2,073 meters) where was still 120 cm of snow on the ground. I left this area before the heavy snow started to fall. My guess is that an additional > 30 cm of new snow has fallen in the Lyons Creek Basin over the last few days.

What was very interesting, in the Lyons Creek Basin there were a few very small sites where the snow had melted. I spotted one specimen of Ranunculus alismifolius in bloom as well as many seedlings of various annual species (Diplacus-Mimulus torreyi for example). I am sure they will all fair well as there have been no cold temperature extremes over the last week. Snow at this time of year is not unusual, although this does not occur every year.



This was the scene on Peavine Ridge, 5,146 feet (1,569 meters) today, 18 May. There was 7 cm of snow on the ground. Another storm is forecast to arrive later today, with additional snow down to this elevation.

I checked my rain gauges in the area: 3.23 inches (82 mm) and 2.97 inches (75 mm) respectively over the last 3 days. Equal amounts, or more, of precipitation are forecast for the storm arriving as I write.

We will see what next week brings.

Until the next time…

[Robert]

Despite consistently unsettled weather, especially in the Sierra Nevada, I had a very productive outing on Thursday, 23 May. The locations that I visited were snow free for the most part, however the snow line was not far above. Late in the afternoon the convective showers began. There was heavy snowfall at times. I have many acceptable photographs and a number of early blooming species were flowering. I will now start working on a report and get it posted as time permits.