jvaughn2000's Favourites

Exclusively growing in bare sandy loam at margin of Ribes quercetorum scrub and under Quercus douglasii canopy drip where moisture is retained on ground from canopy. Some populations without the blue oak component and just the Ribes. All populations with encroaching Hordeum murinum, Marrubium vulgare, and Centaurea sp.. Populations with the greatest numbers co-occurring with rodent component of Sylvilagus audobonii and Otospermophilus beechyii. Layia pentachaeta ssp. pentachaeta co-occurs with one population here and seems to be being browsed by either above-mentioned rodents or cattle.

One population occurring with Diplacus congdonii which was much more abundant. Considerably more non-native invasive forbs and grasses encroaching on the bare soil from previous 3 years (2019-present). Plants not observed around margins of Ribes scrub that are more shaded (such as N-facing slopes). All populations observed were adjacent to Ribes scrub in more exposed places. These could represent the northernmost populations of this species, and a slight range extension by ~12 miles. Quadrangle data from CNPS inventory note this species exists in ‘Chickencoop Canyon’ and ‘Rocky Hill’ quadrangles, but no iNat, CNDDB, CalFlora, or California Consortium of Herbaria records exist from these quadrangles.

This is also the earliest I have observed this species flowering. First observed flowering individual was on 03/04/2022 at this population.

Very rare but locally common in suitable habitat in open blue oak woodlands in the North Fork of the Tule River watershed, Tulare county, California, USA. ~2100-2200-ft.

Access granted by landowner via personal communication.

E. cicutarium, botrys and brachycarpum are all present on this section of the trail, offering ample comparison. (E. moschatum is far away, one day I'll get all 4 together!). E. cicutarium at top, E. brachycarpum at right, and E. botrys at bottom.

I took this opportunity to study these 3 species, most importantly botrys and brachycarpum, the differences of which are poorly documented. I observed 160 E. brachycarpum, and 242 E. botrys.