Observations – Flora and Fauna

Identification and information source: iNaturalist.org, Encyclopedia of Life

El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve, June 2017

Name & Habitat	Features
Honeysuckle, Pink Honeysuckle, California Honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula)Native \| Low-elevation woodlandsUses: “Stems are hollow and sturdy and were used by the Pomo people as smoking pipes”	Leaves: Grow opposite on stems Flowers: Pink blossoms grow at the end of the stem Fruits: Round red – edible but bitter
Milkmaid (Cardamine californica) Native \| Shady slopes, open woodlands, chaparral and grasslands \| Winter and early spring *(Unusual sighting at this time)*	Flowers: Four white petals. “Flower closes its petals in late afternoon as the sun goes down”
Golden Chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla) Native \| Shrub or tree \| Dry areas, higher elevations \| Coastal forests, woodlands, chaparral	Leaves: Dark green on the top side and golden on underside, Folded upward along midrib Flowers: Monoecious – bearing both male and female flowers Fruits: Spiny bur contains 1-3 nuts (edible)
Royal Rein Orchid (Piperia transversa) Native \| Forest, woodland, chaparral, scrub habitat, often in dry areas	Flowers: White or yellowish with green veins. Fragrant in the evenings, smell like cloves

Skyline Ridge Preserve, June 2017

Name & Habitat	Features
Ruby Chalice Clarkia, Farewell to Spring (Clarkia rubicunda)Native \| Central Coast \| Blooms in June/JulyMore about this flower in Henry W. Coe Wildflower Guide	Flowers: Poppy-like blooms, cup-shaped and wide petals, four pink or purplish petals – sometimes with a bright red center
Ox-Eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)Invasive and classified as a noxious weed \| Grassland wildflower \| Blooms from late spring to autumnUses: “The unopened flower buds can be marinated and used in a similar way to capers.” More about this flower in Encyclopedia of Life	Stem: Central stem is slightly hairy Leaves: Dark green on both sides Flowers: The small flower head consists of about 20 white ray florets that surround a yellow disc

Name & Habitat

Features

Ruby Chalice Clarkia, Farewell to Spring
(Clarkia rubicunda)Native | Central Coast | Blooms in June/JulyMore about this flower in Henry W. Coe Wildflower Guide

Flowers: Poppy-like blooms, cup-shaped and wide petals, four pink or purplish petals – sometimes with a bright red center

Ox-Eye Daisy
(Leucanthemum vulgare)Invasive and classified as a noxious weed | Grassland wildflower | Blooms from late spring to autumnUses: “The unopened flower buds can be marinated and used in a similar way to capers.”

More about this flower in Encyclopedia of Life

Stem: Central stem is slightly hairy

Leaves: Dark green on both sides

Flowers: The small flower head consists of about 20 white ray florets that surround a yellow disc