This gallery contains 3 photos.
There are more than 50 species of manzanita (Arctostaphylos ssp) in California alone. Two agents induce galls in manzanita species. Exobasidium vaccinii, a fungus, is one of these agents. E vaccinii induces swollen, convex, bright red galls on the dorsal … Continue reading
This gallery contains 6 photos.
Leonard loves fruit pies. So when he noticed the desert gooseberries (Ribes velutinum) in the lanes between our pastures were ripe, he picked enough of the berries for a deep-dish pie – a feat in itself since desert gooseberries are … Continue reading
This gallery contains 7 photos.
Sadler oaks (Quercus sadleriana) are often an understory species beneath conifers but can grow on sunny, dry ridges and serpentine soils. Their range is approximately the same as the Brewer’s spruce (Picea breweriana) discussed in my previous post (07-14-19 “Brewer’s … Continue reading
This gallery contains 9 photos.
Sticky monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus) grows on rocky slopes, disturbed areas, coastal cliffs and canyon walls below 3,000 feet in California and Southern Oregon. This hardy plant even thrives on nutrient-poor, serpentine substrates. While hiking the Enderts Beach Trail south of … Continue reading
This gallery contains 9 photos.
Most people have heard of purple sage. Even as a native Pennsylvanian, I read Zane Grey’s Riders of the Purple Sage in my youth. However, when I first encountered Salvia dorrii, it was introduced to me as desert sage. I … Continue reading
This gallery contains 2 photos.
Continuing on the bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) theme: The yeast-like sac fungus Taphrina confusa induces witches’ brooms on several Prunus species. Although the western choke cherry (P virginiana) and Sierra plum (P subcordata) are most often infected, Leonard and … Continue reading
This gallery contains 5 photos.
By August, red drupes have formed from the white bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) flowers discussed in my previous post (see “Bitter Cherry” on 03-17-19). Bitter cherry fruits are very bitter and astringent. I can attest to how unpalatable these pretty … Continue reading
