Crystal Range Flora 2024-5

[Robert]

In preparation for my survey of the Tells Peak region this coming summer and autumn, I am reviewing many of the plant species I am likely to encounter, as well as species that grow in the immediate vicinity but I have yet to be documented in the Tells Peak area.

I have been conducting botanical field studies in the Tells Peak area for decades. In the picture above, I am standing on the summit of Tells Peak. This photograph was taken sometime during the early to mid 1990’s. Tells Peak is the lowest and most northerly peak of the Crystal Range. It is also the only peak of the Crystal Range with trees on the summit. The three conifers in the background right side are Mountain Hemlock, Tsuga mentensiana. The smaller conifer behind my back is Whitebark Pine, Pinus albicaulis.



Lewisia triphylla, pictured above, is one of 4 Lewisia species found in the Crystal Range area. In my next posting I will describe these species as they are found in this region, as well as Lewesii kelloggii ssp. kelloggii , which is found a short distance south of the Crystal Range but has yet to be documented in the Crystal Range area.

[Robert]

In our part of Northern California Lewisia pygmaea and Lewisia longipetala are both high altitude species. Reviewing herbarium specimens of specific species in the areas where I plan to conduct my summertime field studies is a regular part of my seasonal preparations. Currently, there are few documented field observations of Lewisia pygmaea and L. longipetala in the Crystal Range. The few valid observations are quite old, dating to the 1960’s or much earlier. In areas south of the Crystal Range there are many recent and well-documented observations of Lewisia pygmaea and L. longipetala. These are high altitude areas where a well-established trail system exists making access to the plants relatively easy. In the Crystal Range there are only a few trails that briefly reach the high altitude range of Lewisia pygmaea and L. longipetala. The one site I have visited where these species are found is located on a bench near the Crystal Range crest at an elevation of 9,500 feet (2,896 meters). There are no trails in this area and it is a very difficult climb to reach this high altitude site. There is only one documented field observation of Lewisia pygmaea in the Tells Peak area. The site is very remote and difficult to access. Fortunately there are a number of other sites with suitable habitat for both Lewisia pygmaea and L. longipetala in the Tells Peak area. With good fortune I will be able to reach these sites and find these species.


Lewisia triphylla

Lewisia triphylla is a common species throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountains and mountainous regions of Northern California. It is an ephemeral species, quickly emerging from the ground at snowmelt, blooming and then retreating into dormancy from summer through the winter, to emerge once again at snowmelt the following year. On the western slope of the Crystal range it is found at elevations between 5,000 and 8,000 feet (1,524 to 2,438 meters), however it is most commonly observed as a high elevation species above 6,000 feet (1,829 meters). The species is often seen growing and blooming in shallow running snowmelt, ringing vernal seeps, or in seasonally hydric, gravelly locations. The white flowers and foliage of this species are relatively small; the plants are easily overlooked even when they are in bloom. Despite its diminutive stature, it is still an attractive species. Where the range of Lewisia triphylla and Lewisia nevadensis overlap hybrids occur, however they are not common. The hybrids tend to have larger flowers and are quite distinct. Lewisia triphylla is, perhaps, the only Lewisia species to produce a tiny perennial tuberous root, a characteristic not shared by other Lewisia species in California.


Lewisia nevadensis

Lewisia nevadensis is a much larger and more robust species than Lewisia triphylla. This species is found in mountainous regions throughout California. On the western slopes of the Crystal Range it is found at elevations from 5,000 to 8,000 feet (1,524 to 2,438 meters). This species is frequently seen in moist meadows or vernally moist gravelly sites, very similar to the habitat preferred by Lewisia triphylla, however the two species are very rarely seen growing in close proximity to each other. The flowers of Lewisia nevadensis are generally white. Less common are pale pink flowering forms. The flowers are fairly large and very attractive.


Lewisia kelloggii ssp. kelloggii

Lewisia kelloggii ssp. kelloggii is native to the central and southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its close relative Lewisia kelloggii ssp. hutchisonii is found in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains. The range of the two subspecies overlaps in the Crystal Range area, however I have never documented the species on the western slopes of the Crystal Range. The species tends to prefer the volcanic rubble and soils of the Mehrten Formation. South of the South Fork of the American River Canyon I have observed this species frequently in the volcanic soils that are prevalent in this area. Where the range of the two species overlap in the vicinity of the Crystal Range many of the plants exhibit characteristics of both subspecies. Regardless of their identity they are very attractive plants when in bloom. The flowers of this species can be white, pink, or a combination of both colors.

[Robert]

As I continue to prepare for my summer field studies in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, reviewing my previous seasons’ field notes is an essential part of the preparation process. For example Micranthes tolmiei, pictured above, is a species I wish to locate and study in more detail in the Tells Peak region this season. By checking my database, I quickly determined that I last encountered this species on 1 October 2003 at an elevation of 8,794 ft. (2,680 meters) on the northeastern slopes of Red Peak. This population was found growing in an alpine fell-field of granodiorite, very similar to the habitats I will encounter on the high elevation eastern slopes of Tells Peak ~ 5 miles north of Red Peak.

The cultivation of many high elevation alpine species is extremely difficult in our low elevation Sacramento garden with its long hot summer season, and lack of wintertime vernalization and prolonged cold temperatures. Cross referencing with herbarium data, this species is rarely found at elevations below 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) in our region. This species ranges from the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Northern Coast Range of California, northward through the Cascade Mountains to Alaska. One goal this season will be to locate additional populations of this species and trial forms that may have the potential to adapt to our Sacramento garden.



I enjoy growing Aster-like daisies in our Sacramento garden. Over the years I have had some success cultivating Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum in our Sacramento garden. Plants derived from seed accessions acquired ~10 years ago still persist in our garden and seedlings from new seed accessions are progressing well. Although I have had some success with this species I am still not satisfied with my results. Forms with flowers that remain richly colored during the hot season when this species blooms is a desirable goal.

In addition, I would like to continue with additional trials of other daisy-like species from this area. Symphyotrichum campestre and Eurybia integrifolia are two examples that are both heat tolerant and semi-xeric. These two species perform reasonably well in our Sacramento garden. They also grow abundantly into the lower elevation portions of the Tells Peak region.



To date, I have had good success growing superior forms of Aquilegia formosa in our Sacramento garden. Currently I am in the process of stabilizing a seed line that consistently repeat blooms during the summer and is consistently extremely heat tolerant. Over the years I have located extremely low elevation forms (485 feet, 148 meters) of this species that are extremely heat tolerant and possess other genetic traits that are useful in horticultural. Combining the genetic traits from other forms of this species with the low elevation heat tolerant forms have produced excellent results.

During my field studies I continually look for unusual phenotypes that might have horticultural potential. Aquilegia formosa grows abundantly in hydric/mesic locations in the Tells Peak region. Mutations and off-types are more common than we might think. With good fortune I will locate something worthwhile and different.



Delphinium nuttallianum grows abundantly in the Tells Peak region. Bluish-purple and lavender-purple are the most common flower colors seen in this species.



Over the years I have located lavender-pink and even pure white forms of Delphinium nuttallianum. I have much to look forward to this coming season.