April - May 2009 Newsletter ~ South Coast, California Native Plant Society

8/9/2019 April - May 2009 Newsletter ~ South Coast, California Native Plant Society

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NEWSLETTERApril - May 2009

Upcoming Monthly Programs

Monday, April 6 Doors open 7:15 Program starts 7:30 PMEcosystem Rehabilitation Project at Machado LakeSpeaker: Kurt Campbell, Senior Biologist with Jones & Stokes and Wendy Katagi, Principal, CDM

On November 2, 2004, the voters of Los Angeles overwhelmingly passed Proposition O, a $500 bondissue for open space improvement projects. Out of the $500 million authorized, a total of $117 million hasbeen committed to Machado Lake and the Wilmington Drain, which form an interconnected open space inand around the 241-acre Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park.

The lake and park are important recreational and natural area resources for South Bay residents who

have used the area for bird watching, hiking and other natural experiences. The EcosystemRehabilitation Project is currently in the planning and design phase, and our input will help steer theproject towards a more natural outcome. For example, it is possible that the 20-acre Wilmington Draincould be a native plant habitat that supports the Least Bells Vireo, a locally endangered bird.

Please join us!

Location: South Coast Botanical Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula,Classroom closest to the garden entrance


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Monday, May 4 Doors Open at 7:15 Program starts at 7:30 PMCalifornia WildflowersSpeaker: Richard Minnich, Professor UCR

In his new book, California's Fading Wildflowers Lost Legacy and Biological Invasions, our speakerdiscusses the dramatic transformation of California's wildflower prairies. He examines the changes in thestate's landscape over the past three centuries and how invading plant species have devastated ourbotanical heritage. Join us for this interesting discussion that may change your view of native California.

Location: South Coast Botanical Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula,Classroom closest to the garden entrance

Point Vicente Native Plant Garden

Scenic Gardening DayDate: April 11, other Dates to be DeterminedPoint Vicente Interpretive Center - 31501 Palos Verdes Dr. W., Rancho Palos Verdes

Help us maintain our lovely native plant garden at the Point Vicente Native Plant Garden in Rancho PalosVerdes overlooking the ocean. Our gardening days are always fun, and it is a great way to get to knoweach other better.

Our first scheduled gardening day is Saturday, April 11 - starting from 9 am until about noon. We want tomake sure our garden looks its best in time for our Garden Tour. We will schedule additional timesbased on what needs to be done and what the weather conditions are. Times will be scheduled for bothweekday and weekend gardening. Check our website for schedule updates.

If you are interested in volunteering at this garden overlooking the ocean and would like to be on ouremail distribution list please call Barbara at (310) 831-0032 or send email to [email protected].


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The 15th annual Spring Garden TourSaturday, April 18, 2009 at 9am or 1pm

Babara Sattler 2009Astragalus trichopodus, Rattlepod

Featuring:o High above the ocean, the Point Vicente Native Plant garden is a great example of native plants

that will thrive under harsh conditions. This educational garden is designed, planted, andmaintained by the South Coast Chapter of C.N.P.S.

o The California native garden of Noel and Diana Park is an example of using natives instead of thecommon front lawn. A wide variety of California natives, including buckwheats, aromatic salvias,succulents and ornamental grasses provide interesting texture and foliage color in this two yearold garden.

o Altamira Ranch is a residence high on the bluffs above Portuguese Bend. Commanding

awesome coastline and Catalina views, the extensive California native garden is designed toblend with the native vegetation of the southern slopes of the Peninsula. The garden wasfeatured in the Nov/Dec.'08 issue ofGarden Design magazine.

Ric Dykzeul and Tony Baker, both local landscape consultants/designers, will lead the tourdiscussing the plant material and answering your questions. The tour will take approximately 2 hours.

Reservations: 310-629-0500. The number of participants is limited.Fee: $ 20.00 for members of CNPS, $25.00 for non-members.Rain will cancel. Tickets are non-refundable.


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Madrona Marsh Events

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

CA Native Seasonings and CondimentsSaturday, April 4, 10:00-noon; repeats Tues. Apr. 7, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Dr. Connie Vadheim (CSU Dominguez Hills) will discuss gourmet seasonings & condiments of thegardening series Featured will be native plants that can be used to season and enhance your food andrecipes for their use. Classes include a walk in the Madrona Native Plant Gardens, where students cansee the featured plants. Free.

Clay and Hummingbirds Saturday, May 2, 10:00-noon; repeats Tues. May 5, 6:30-8:00 p.m.Gardening on Clay Soils, with an Emphasis on Hummingbird Plants. Free

Tour de TorranceTuesday, May 5 and 19. 8:30 to 10:00 A.M.This is a recurring event every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesday of the month.Walk with David Moody and Ron Melin, as they point out birds at the Preserve, as well as other City parksaround the South Bay, where they regularly bird and keep records of bird sightings. Free.

Fourth Weekend Nature WalkSaturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24 - 10:00 A.M.Enjoy this 50 acre nature Preserve in the urban setting of Torrance. Native plants make a green carpetwith the winter rain. Ducklings may be seen trailing after females. Free

Night HikeSaturday , May 30 - 6:30 to 8:30 P.M.Enjoy a relaxing evening stroll on the Preserve. Watch the sun set and moon rise.The fee is $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family to the first 25 who register.

Madrona Marsh Nature Center is located at 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance (310-782-3989)

Native Plant Restoration at CSU Dominguez Hills

Afternoons at the Creek

Come, learn about our great native plants, help make the CSUDH campus greener and enjoy newfriends in the out-of-doors. The ground may be either hard or muddy, so boots or sensible shoes wouldbe wise. Also bring work gloves and a shovel (if you have them) - we have some, but not enough foreveryone. It's always a good idea to bring a hat, wear sunscreen and bring water to drink. You will beparking right next to the restoration site, so you'll have ready access to your car.

Meet at the Restoration site, which is at the south end of Lot 7 on the CSUDH campus.

Fri. 4/10/09 1:00-4:00 p.m.Sun. 4/19/09 2:00-5:00 p.m.Fri. 4/24/09 1:00-4:00 p.m.Sun. 4/26/09 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Additional days will be scheduled for May, depending on the weather.


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George F Canyon

First Saturday Hikes 1 PMMay 2, June 6Come join our expert guide for a lovely morning hike. $3 per person will bring you into a wonderful worldof curiosity and discovery. The guide will answer questions on habitat, geology, drainage, wildlife, folkloreand more. Allow 2 hours for this walk.

Canyon Night Hikes Times TBAApproximate dates: April 9, May 9, June 7Held on or near a full moon evening, this walk will bring you to the top of the canyon for a fantastic view ofcity lights below. The two-mile round trip hike will experience nocturnal delights as well as a 300 ft. rise inelevation. Lots of fun!! Bring a flashlight. $7 per person. Children must be at least 8 years old. Guide willtake you on a gentle walk and introduce you to the natural history of one of the Peninsula's most beautifulcanyons at night. Poison oak which is common near the stream bed will be identified. Please allow 2hours for the walk. RESERVATIONS A MUST AS THIS WALK IS LIMITED TO 20 PERSONS. Actualdates may vary.

George F. Canyon is located at the southwest corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos Verdes DriveNorth, 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates (310) 547-0862. The Nature Center is open

Friday 1 pm - 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 4 pm, other days by appointment.

Theodore Payne FoundationWildflower Hotline for Southern California

The Theodore Payne Foundation (TPF) is a non-profit California native plant nursery, seed source,andeducation center in Sun Valley. Each spring TPF runs a native wildflower hotline covering areas insouthern and central California. 2009 marks the 27th year for the wildflower hotline, which runs fromMarch through May. Every Friday a new announcement is recorded on a call-in number (818-768-3533)and posted to TPF's website (http://www.theodorepayne.org/hotline.html).

To coordinate this effort, Marie Massa compiles reports from various docents, park rangers, andwildflower enthusiasts to create a comprehensive announcement for wildflower viewing. Each week she islooking for a brief report of what is blooming along roads and/or trails in the different parks or naturalareas. If any CNPS members or volunteers have reports of native wildflowers in southern California, shewould like to include their reports in the hotline announcement. To submit a report during the floweringseason, email Marie by Wednesday for inclusion in that week's report.

The website announcement also includes information about events specific chapters may be having insouthern California as well as links to CNPS-chapter websites.

If you are interested please contact Marie Massa ([email protected])Web page: www.theodorepayne.org
http://www.theodorepayne.org/hotline.htmlhttp://webmail.socal.rr.com/do/mail/message/[email protected]://webmail.socal.rr.com/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.theodorepayne.orghttp://www.theodorepayne.org/hotline.htmlhttp://webmail.socal.rr.com/do/mail/message/[email protected]://webmail.socal.rr.com/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.theodorepayne.org


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Where Has All the Pashi Gone?by Ivan Snyder

Those of you that don't already know me, I am Officer of Rare Plants for the CNPS South Coast

Chapter. For me, especially interesting plants have a mystery attached to them which I can investigatemyself. Paleoethnobotany, a special interest of mine, is what makes our plant of focus particularlyfascinating. The historical narrative tells of a once highly regarded abundant species in Palos Verdes

which has become rare. I have a hunch there was once a variety of the plant in the area which has nowdisappeared. Fortunately, the species to which the variety belongs still exists in PV so that we havesurviving examples to study.

Sunday morning October 8, 1542, explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and crew arrived in the San Pedrobay. The Palos Verdes hills and bay were so enshrouded by smoke they named it Bahia de los Fumos or"Bay of Smokes." Being that it was October, the fires were not likely caused by dry lightning strikes whichtypically occur in the Summer months. October is the time of year when the rains begin and the best timeto set fire to the brush in a primitive agricultural method known as firestick farming.

It is recorded that in California firestick farming was extensively practiced in the Southwest before thenative tribes lost their ancestral culture. To harvest the seed a basket and seed beater were used. Afterharvesting, the bushland was set afire. This made the land more productive. Fire removes competingweed plants and the ash produced fertilizes the soil. Seed of select plants were broadcast after theburning. As evidence of the previous domesticated landscape are large stands of Oracle Cactus (Opuntia

oricola) centered around old village sites in PV and elsewhere. This cactus species is known to be morefire resistant than the Opuntia litoralis more common elsewhere.One select plant of the firestick farmers in the area was our fire-following plant Pashi. Nowadays we all

know Pashi as seed of the Chia plant (Salvia columbariae); Famous in more recent times for another use,the Chia Pet. Ancestors of the Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe (greater Los Angeles area) did not likely keepChia Pets. Acorns, which were a staple elsewhere, were apparently not available in the PV vicinity. Pashiwas the favored local staple and is very nutritious and tastes delicious.

Seed of the store-bought Chia Pet is actually from a related cultivated species from Central Americaknown as Salvia hispanica. In Mexico, Chia has been grown along cultivated fields since preColumbiantimes. Chiapas got its name from Chia where it was extensively produced for pinole and atole dishes.Chia Fresca is a traditional beverage of lemonade with Chia. It would be fun to try Chia Fresca withLemonade Berry rather than lemon. You may also have heard of chipata bread; also made of Chia. Sincethe 1960s there has been a growing interest in Chia as a health food. Seed of a number of different plantsare used as Chia. However, these, such as White Sage (S. apiana) and others in Southern California arenot nearly as productive seedwise as S. columbariae. In addition to the seed, leaves of our native S.columbariae can be used the same as regular herb sage.

An example of how essential Pashi was to people of the time is found on the Channel Islands as bagsof the seed by the pound in burials. Pashi was said to be the best traveler's food and was also used as acharm. I assume the bags of seed were offered to the dead for their journey in the afterlife. Today thespecies is rare in the Palos Verdes area. The anthropological record shows the plant was much moreprevalent in times past. Where did all the Pashi in PV go? My guess is it disappeared with the people thattended it.

Sites of former Native American villages are reported to host dense stands of S. columbariae.However, nowhere is it presently seen in quantity high enough for the sustainable subsistence that musthave previously been. The critical mass needed for such explosive proliferation is apparently onlyattainable by human assistance. If I had the opportunity I would like to have a look at the seed found atarcheological sites to compare with living samples for tell-tale signs of domestication. These include seed

size, color, and fast germination.Another common name for our native chia is Golden Chia. In some areas the seed is a golden color as

it has lost the typical dark pigment. This may be a relic cultivar gone feral. Indian Corn is likewiseunnaturally colored. S. columbariae rarely grows larger than one foot tall. In the Sonoran Desert is alarger variant of S. columbariae having larger seed which is more sought after by the local people.Perhaps that same larger variety once existed in our area. The tallest plants I've personally seen were inTopanga. Some of these plants reached the height of about 20 inches given in the Jepson Manualdescription. At the north end of Topanga was a Chumash village. I like to think of these plants assurviving members of the long gone village.


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Although not through intentional breeding, I suspect such larger plants may have increased in size asa product of artificial selection. This could happen quickly through introgression with related Salviaspecies. S. x bernardina is a natural hybrid between S. columbariae and Black Sage S. melliferaappearing in areas after wildfires. Prolonged intensive firestick farming prac tices and unnatural selectionwould inevitably lead to variations specially adapted to this unnatural niche. The Pashi nowadays found inPV is the typical small variety. If ever there was a crop of a larger variety in the area, it could only existhere with the help of people. Untended, the agricultural variety went extinct. The remnants have revertedback to the typical small form of the species adapted to the local natural environment. Any plants that

might still contain vestiges of domestication are most likely to be in the larger populations centeredaround archeological village sites.S. columbariae has disappeared from the two sites in PV Angelica Brinkman gave me and one of the

two sites Tony Baker knew of. Cheers to Tony for relocating Pashi a short distance away to his propertyabove Portuguese Bend. The species grows well in pots and I have a second generation of Chia Petsnow from seed I originally collected in Topanga. Village names add to the wonder of a plant and are goodfor pot tags. The area of the sites Angelica and Tony gave me may have been the lost village ofTovemungna. Tony's Tovemungna plants would be a delight to grow and study while I time travel in myimagination to the world as it was during Cabrillo's visit; --the heyday of firestick farming.

Chia Flower Ivan Snyder 2009


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Chia Flower Ivan Snyder 2009

Statement on Native Plants and Fire Safety for 2009

The California Native Plant Society is very concerned about the unnecessary destruction of thousands ofacres of Californias native plant heritage for the purpose of wildfire fuel management. CNPS recognizesthat our state contains large areas that are among the most fire-prone environments on Earth due to theconvergence of climatic and topographic conditions. As the human population has increased, moreresidences have been sited in the highest wildfire danger areas, increasing the number of ignition andfire-carrying sources. In some areas, shortened fire-return cycles have converted native plantcommunities to invasive non-native grasslands, which in turn provide faster burning fuels and contain verylittle habitat value. In other areas, f ire-suppression has caused a lengthened fire-return cycle, which canallow an accumulation of dead material and increased the likelihood of high-intensity fires.

The California Native Plant Society supports: Fuel management plans that minimize the risk to human life and property while maximizing

protection of native plants and their habitats. These plans should be locally-adapted, scientifically-supported, and account for all combustible materials, including building materials, ornamentalvegetation, and adjacent plant communities.

Building codes and ordinances that require structures in high fire risk areas to be constructed,retrofitted, and maintained using materials and practices that minimize the ignition and spread offire.

The creation of laws, regulations and land use policies that discourage new development in areasof highest fire danger.


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Meet the South Coast CNPS Chapter Officers

Elected Officers

David Berman - President / Web Master2009 is Davids second year as a CNPS board member and his first year as president. He is responsiblefor updating the SCCNPS website. He is interested in gardening with native plants and has used nativeplants extensively in his home garden. He also serves as a volunteer naturalist for the Palos VerdesPeninsula Land Conservancy. David enjoys spending time in his magnificent native plant habitat on thepeninsula.

David Sundstrom - Vice President / Conservation Committee / Chapter Council Alternate DelegateDavid grew up in Southern California and one of his fond memories is the scent of California Sage whilehiking in the local hills as a kid. Not surprisingly, much of his adult life has been devoted to theconservation and restoration of open space. While living in Long Beach, he was appointed to chair theenvironmental element of Strategic Plan 2010, which established sustainability policies including GreenBuilding and Green Landscape Standards. David has been a member of CNPS since 1997 and hasserved on the Board of the South Coast Chapter since 2004. He has testified on behalf of the Chapter atvarious meetings regarding the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. He believes great things happenautomatically when you create a healthy environment.

Lynn McLeod - Secretary/TreasurerLynn was born and raised on the peninsula. Following education and career paths that took her to SantaBarbara and Orange County, she was able to return to the house where she was raised, a place shesalways loved dearly, after her mother died at age 90. Shes kept the native trees that have grown up overthe years toyon and Catalina cherry and oak - and has been able to put in some other smaller natives grasses, yarrow, beach strawberry, yerba buena and ceanothus, among others. I cant wait for thoseblue flowers! Lynn does not consider herself someone who has a lot of knowledge or experience withnative plants in particular or botany in general, so she feels she is in a good position to say that this is agreat organization for people who have an interest in native plants and an inclination to support theirincreased use in our gardens, public spaces and the larger environment.

Ric Dykzeul - Horticulture/Plant Sale CoordinatorA native of the P.V. peninsula, Ric grew up exploring the canyons of Rolling Hills enjoying the native

vegetation and wildlife. A member of the South Coast Chapter of C.N.P.S. since it's inception in the early80's. He has helped the society in the following capacities: past president, coordinator for the fall plantsales and spring garden tours. Involved with the design, installation, and maintenance of the nativegarden at Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center. Ric has a B.S. degree in ornamental Horticulture from CalPoly San Luis Obispo ('79).He worked 20 years at the Palos Verdes Begonia Farm as a CaliforniaCertified Nurseryman and plant Buyer. He taught the 'Successful Gardening' class at the South CoastBotanic Garden for 10 years. Ric is a self employed Landscape designer and consultant working in thePalos Verdes and South Bay area. He lives in Torrance with his wife, Teri and two sons, Brad U.C.I. ('09)and Scott Cal Poly S.L.O. ('11).

Tony Baker - Horticulture / Point Vicente Garden / Conservation CommitteeTony has been a member of CNPS for 15 years and is currently horticulture co-chair of our chapter. Overthe years, he has helped out with chapter native plants sales, garden tours and the Point Vicente native

garden among other things. He has a landscaping business in which he designs, installs and maintainsnative gardens. He considers himself an advocate for using native plant in home gardens to create oasesfor wildlife, minimize use of water and end reliance on pesticides and chemical fertilizers. I'm proud to apart of an organization that is helping to protect our native flora, natural habitats and natural heritage.Tonys web site:http://www.natural-landscapes.com/

Loretta Rose - Spring Garden Tour / Board Member at LargeLoretta has been the Naturalist at the George F Canyon Nature Center since 2001, taking over the dutiesof the original and founding Naturalist Aileen Bevan. Her job includes tasks such as keeping the centeropen and staffed, leading hikes, parties and events, maintaining the live animal displays andmanagement of the 36 acre preserve. She is originally from Panama and now makes her home inTorrance.
http://www.natural-landscapes.com/http://www.natural-landscapes.com/


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Barbara Sattler - Conservation Committee / Chapter Council Delegate / Archives ChairBarbara Sattler has served on the Board of the South Coast Chapter of CNPS since 2002. She becameVice President and Chapter Delegate in 2003, and President in 2004 and continued in that office untilFebruary 2009. As Chapter Delegate she has actively participated in the State CNPS Chapter Councilmeetings and has served on several state committees. Her focus has been primarily on the Conservationissues that have faced the Chapter during that time frame, including the establishment of the RanchoPalos Verdes NCCP (Natural Communities Conservation Plan). She enjoys working at the Point Vicente

Native Plant Garden.

Cindy Kondon - MembershipWhen Cindy retired as an accountant, she became interested in learning about native plants as a result ofa need to do some relandscaping. She had previously read about California's chronic water shortage andwanted to address that issue along with the new plantings. She took landscaping classes at El Caminoand found that they were still teaching the old ways of landscaping with water-guzzling plants and usingpesticides. Native plants were not even mentioned. The California Native Plant Society is the ideal placeto educate yourself , not only about native plants, but also about changing old habits to adapt to newrealities.

Griselda Sasayama - Outreach ChairAfter her retirement, Griselda got a Certificate of Environmental Horticulture and became one of thepermanent propagation volunteers of the SOUND project nursery at CSU-Dominguez Hills. This nurseryproduces California native plants for restoration projects and gardens in the South Bay area. Griseldahas made her home garden an ongoing lab and a demonstration site for California natives in a coastallocation. Influenced by her art and photography hobbies, as well as her experience in teacher training,she enjoys designing native gardens that are a pleasure to the senses and invite learning andparticipation. Her idea of paradise is a place where everyone is free and able to contribute to the growingof their own food, practices ecologically sound ornamental gardening and enjoys the blessings of the localnative flora. She is happy to be part of a group who is committed to protect and teach about CA nativeplants. Originally from Argentina, Griselda has lived in Utah, Hawaii and Japan.

Christine Martin - Program Chair / NewsletterWhile raising three boys, Chris welcomed any opportunity to tinker in the garden, and actually enjoyspulling weeds. She works with computers during the day and finds working with plants a much better wayto spend her time. She has no formal gardening experience and has really enjoyed all the expertise the

members of the chapter have been willing to share. She has only been active with Native Plant Society afew years but has learned to appreciate the beauty of natives during that time.

Chairs

Carol Roelen - Publicity / Madrona MarshCarol has been a member of CNPS approximately 12 years. Her interest and passion for native plantsand restoration began as a volunteer at the Navy Fuel Depot. Doing restoration work there to providehabitat for the Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly was very rewarding for her. She enjoys being outside in anygarden or restoration site and is, interestingly, fond of weeding. She is on the Friends of Madrona MarshBoard of Directors, and has served as the organizations secretary since 1995.

Ivan Snyder - Rare Plants, EthnobotanyRare native plants. Truly, there are few. Ivan was appointed Rare Plants Chair after stumbling upon anDiendangered species on the peninsula at a previously undocumented location. He was not searching forthe plant that day. The species description happened to be filed in his mind after reading about it sometime before. Seems he was born with a botanical identification sixth sense. Hiking around studying natureis his favorite distraction from this synthetic world we live in. Progress has indeed brought many greatnew wonders to the world. But he can't help wonder what we may have lost along the way. Things thatare important, maybe even essential, to being fully human. This is why ethnobotany is such an attractionfor him. It teaches things lost to our present culture. He is expert in plants traditionally used for food, fiber(cordage), and firecraft (rubbing two sticks together). It's not about survivalism. For me it's all aboutexperiencing a more natural way of living as our ancient ancestors did.


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Baby Blue Eyes Christine Martin 2009

Renew Online

Renew your CNPS membership online using a credit card. As an option, set it up to renewautomatically year after year. It is quick, easy, convenient, and reduces renewal mailing costs.

www.cnps.orgClick on the JOIN button

Newsletter Changes

Our newsletter is changing this year. The schedule is changing slightly to be June August, Sept November, December February, and March May. Also we will have two versions on the newsletter.Due to printing and distribution costs, the paper newsletter that gets mailed to your home will be limited insize and will only be in black and white. The electronic version, like this one, will include moreinformation and color pictures.

To continue to receive your expanded electronic copy and to save the chapter printing costs, be sure tosend your current email address to our Membership chair Cindy Kondon at: C.JJKondon.earthlink.net.Newsletters are also available on our local web site: http://www.sccnps.org.

Please send any announcement requests, any other articles of interest, comments and suggestions to thenewsletter editor: Christine Martin at: [email protected].
http://www.sccnps.org/http://www.sccnps.org/

Documents

April - May 2009 Newsletter ~ South Coast, California Native Plant Society