JUNE 2010

C The Shooting Star Publication of the

CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY- SIERRA FOOTHILLS CHAPTER
INCLUDING AMADOR, CALAVERAS, TUOLUMNE AND MARIPOSA COUNTIES

Flowers Blooming in June

This month’s location is going to be what I call the
Confidence trail with the trailhead just off of Confidence
South Fork road near the intersection of Middlecamp road. If
you decide to walk all the way to Lyons Dam, you’ll hike 5
miles (one way); but you’ll have an opportunity to see great
wildflowers and beautiful vistas.
I’ve selected some of the more interesting flowers that
you can encounter in this area with the first one being the
Leopard Lily (Lilium pardilinum). When blooming in mass, it
turns a small meadow area into a treat for your eyes. Our
next plant is a member of the Orchid family and is the Sierra
Bog Orchid (Platanthera dilatata var. leucostachys) and has
flowering stalks of white flowers. The last plant is also a
member of the Orchid family and is the Spotted Coral Root
(Corallorhiza maculata), and is only found in one location
along the trail. It likes well shaded areas and at times can
be difficult to spot, but it is a really nice find when you do
discover it.
Leopard Lily, (Lilium pardilinum) You can check it out at Bob’s website,
(TuolumneWildflowers.com) and the Locations/Blooms tab
Photos: Bob Brown with maps, location descriptions and lists of what plants
you may find at what times of the year. 

Spotted Coral Root

(Corallorhiza maculata)

Sierra Bog Orchid (Platanthera dilatata var. leucostachys)

SUMMER HIATUS Contents:

President’s Message
(SEE OUR PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE) -page 2
Such a Spring! -page 2
Field trips -page 3
Chapter Officers & Chair Persons
Editor’s Note -page 4
The deadline for newsletter contributions or corrections is the
10th of each month prior to publishing.
Contact Conny Simonis at conny@simonis.org or (209) 588-0484
 SUCH A SPRING!
President’s Message With such a long, dry fall followed by a late wet winter the wildflower
Greetings to all! distribution has not been typical. At first we had questions about how the
For those of you who may have different species would react to these conditions which included some very
forgotten, we have begun our summer dry periods followed by one of the wettest Mays on record. I didn't know
hiatus for our general meetings. We will what we would find when we had a foothill CNPS trip on March 20th from  
not be having our normal meetings Hogan Reservoir to Copperopolis. Many species had not yet bloomed but
during the months of June, July and some were starting. We were impressed by the large numbers of Tufted
August. Poppy (Eschscholzia caespitosa) on a rocky cliff below Hogan Dam. This
I hope everyone who has been on our species is often mistaken for the California Poppy but the plants are
fieldtrips so far has found them fun and smaller, the flowers are smaller and lighter in color and "the ovary is not
enjoyable. We have found everything subtended by a spreading outer rim." We also enjoyed the large flowers of
from species on the CNPS rarity listing to Douglas' Violet (Viola douglasii) and the Henderson's Shooting Star
a potential new species and many others (Dodecatheon hendersonii) in several areas before we reached Salt Springs
with just gorgeous blooming displays. Valley where we viewed our first Royal Larkspurs (Delphinium varigatum).
With this year being a better than At Copperopolis we were impressed by the abundance of Frying Pans
“average” year for blooms and with some (Eschscholzia lobbii) which were covering the acid soil of old mine dumps.
locations having really super blooms for More recently the late rains have encouraged rampant growth of
some plants for areas that I’ve visited to introduced grasses but there are splotches of color.  In late April Mule Ears
date, I would encourage all of you to (Wyethia helenoides) flowered along Highway 49 near Angels Camp. More
visit your favorite areas or join one of recently in early May a few road cuts there exhibited Globe Gilia (Gilia
our upcoming outings to experience capitata). Wet seeps and ditches have had abundant Seepspring Monkey
personally a really great flowering Flower (Mimulus guttatus). Many of the grazed fields in the lower foothills
season. have had a show of the introduced yellow composites, Smooth and Rough
Our spring plant sale was a success Cat's Ears (Hypochaeris glabra) and (H. radicans). Scattered in areas where
with sales volume about what it was last the grass is short are colorful patches of pink, Rose Clover (Trifolium
year. As usual, the nicest blooming hirtum), and dark purple areas of Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa) as well as the
plants went very quickly and we could deep blue Sky Lupine (L. nanus) which is found on areas of shallow soil. The
not have asked for nicer weather or a tall,  blue Wally Baskets (Tritelia laxa), are on shady, often north-facing
better venue for our event. On another slopes.
issue, we hope to have our website up On Highway 4 from 2,000 to 3,000 feet spring is just starting early in
and functional by the middle of July. May. Several species of lupines are flowering including Sky Lupine (L.
We are going to try an experiment nanus), Bush Lupine (L. albifrons), Miniature Lupine (L. bicolor), and
with a new activity during the months of Whitewhorl Lupine (L. densiflorus). Some other herbs including the Small
June, July and August. We will be having White Nemophila (Nemophila heterophylla) and shrubs are beginning to
Plant ID Workshops on the first Thursday bloom but the Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) has not yet started to flower.
of each of those months in the public Here though the first Death Camus (Zigadenus venenosus) are flowering
meeting room of the Tuolumne County under the pines at Hathaway Pines. Spring in the Sierras is on its way!
Library (the same place where our --Steve Stocking, Education Chair
regular meetings are held off of Greenley
Road) from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Bring
pictures of your “problem” plants
(bloom, leaves, and overall plant if
possible) or a specimen and we will try
to help you identify them.
Another new event that is in the
planning stage is a “Gardening with
Natives” Symposium that is scheduled for
Saturday, September 11, from 1:00 – 5:00
PM. We plan to have a very well known
keynote speaker, a forum discussion, and
“conversation corners” on varied topics.
More details will be appearing in
upcoming newsletters.
I hope to see all of you at one of our
many events over the summer
season! --Bob Brown, President

Small White Nemphila (Nemophila heterophylla),

CalPhoto

Dedicated to the Preservation of California native flora

Page 2 The Shooting Star- CNPS Foothills Chapter June 2010
 FIELD TRIPS
The rainy days interspersed with warm, sunny ones have
June 5 – Westside Trail and Butterflies. Leaders: Bob
Brown and Jim Mori. Hiking level: easy. Timed to catch
made for an extended, floriferous bloom. We’ve been flowers which attract butterflies in full bloom, this field
lucky to have our field trips timed perfectly to catch the trip will be a special treat. Bob will provide the
bloom at or near peak each time for the last two months. botanical expertise and Jim will provide the
Unfortunately, our Quartz Mountain field trip, originally entomological (specifically Lepidopteron) expertise.
scheduled for April 4 then rescheduled to April 11 due to Meet at 9:00a.m. at the Sonora McDonalds gravel parking
rain, was cancelled due to rain on the 11th too. lot, on Mono Way, in the Junction Shopping Center, in
East Sonora or at the trailhead at 10:00a.m. For more
Our April 25 Abernathy Lava Caps field trip, on the other information, contact Bob for more info at (209) 928-9281
hand, was a beautiful, warm day enjoyed by 13 or rbrown4674@aol.com.
enthusiastic people. There were an abundance of June 12 – Monitor Pass. Leader: Pat Stone. Hiking level:
interesting wildflowers – the gold fields (Lasthenia easy to moderate. Monitor Pass on Highway 89 is a high
californica) were especially vibrant at the first stop. elevation, east side (of the Sierras) habitat with
Many thanks to Paul Dettman who took us to these meadows, aspen stands and sagebrush. Pat will show us
seldom visited sites and showed us some of the most some of the special botanical features in this area
interesting natural features that we’ve encountered in a including onions and penstemons. Meet at 9:00a.m. at
while. Thanks also to all of the folks who helped key out the Sonora McDonalds gravel parking, on Mono Way, in
plants to begin plant lists for these sites. the Junction Shopping Center, in East Sonora. This is a
good spot for an overnight camping opportunity if you’re
The May 8th Telegraph Fire Area. Thirteen people interested. For more information, camping info, etc.,
enjoyed a perfect day on Telegraph Hill. The changes contact Pat at (209) 984-0304 or patmstone@gmail.com
from 2009 were striking. In 2009 one could walk
everywhere on the burn. Now many areas are almost
impenetrable. Whispering bells were  hard to find,
whereas last year they  turned hundreds of acres pale
yellow. Golden ear drops (Dicentra chrysantha) were in
full bloom and six feet tall.  Quite an experience to be in
a forest of this unique and infrequent plant.
Thanks go to Ann Mendershausen and Peggy Moore for
making this a fabulous day.

For all field trips: bring lunch, water, sunscreen and

appropriate clothing and footwear. Hiking level varies
with each trip. Your trip will be enhanced by bringing
field guides and magnifying lenses, although these are
optional. Carpooling is encouraged. Call ahead if the
weather looks iffy. Check http://www.twitter.com/
SIE_CNPS for updates. Our field trips are open to Fire-dwelling Evax (Ann Mendershausen)
everyone. Bring a friend or two. It is Chapter policy,
enacted March 2010, that pets are not allowed on our
field trips. We would appreciate everyone’s adherence to
this new policy.

May 22 – Hunter’s Valley Mountain Access Road.

Leader: Benoit Dayrat. Hiking level: easy. This
chaparral area is very special in the wide diversity of
plants it offers and the road makes it highly accessible.
We should see big scale balsamroot (Balsamorhiza
macrolepis var. macrolepis) and pitcher sage (Lepechinia
calycina) in bloom. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the corner of
Highway 49 and Bear Valley Road. Contact Ann
Mendershausen for more information at (209) 742-7734 or
ralphr@sierratel.com.

Visit us on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/

Sierra-Foothills-Chapter-of-the-California-Native-Plant-Society/
175086842454 Group amidst Dicentra chrysantha,
Ann Mendershausen
http://twitter.com/sie_cnps
www.cnps.org
For more of our fieldtrip schedule, see the green
.
colored insert in the April issue.

Page 3 The Shooting Star- CNPS Foothills Chapter June 2010

 Non-Profit Organization
U. S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 83
Sonora CA 95370

CNPS Sierra Foothills Chapter

19287 James Circle
Groveland, CA 95321

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Chapter Officers and Chairpersons JOIN NOW!

Please include me as a CNPS member.
PRESIDENT Bob Brown 928-9281 rbrown4674@aol.com Student/Retired/Limited income .. $25
VP AMADOR CO. OPEN Individual or Library ................. $45
VP CALAVERAS CO.
Family or Group ....................... $75
Robert & Judy Dean 754-5887 dean@goldrush.com
Supporting.............................. $75
VP MARIPOSA CO. ralphr@sierratel.com Plant Lover ........................... $100
Ann Mendershausen 742-7734
VP TUOLUMNE CO. hofstra@biology.ucsc.edu Patron.................................. $250
Tom Hofstra 586-7440
Benefactor ........................... .$500
SECRETARY sjgarcia@mlode.com
Stephanie Garcia 586-3593 Bristlecone .......................... $1000
TREASURER Suzanne Harmon 728-8472 soozanne_h@yahoo.com As always, donations above the membership
level chosen will be greatly appreciated.
CONSERVATION CO-CHAIR patmstone@gmail.com
Pat Stone 984-0304 Name
CONSERVATION CO-CHAIR Tom Hofstra 586-7440 hofstra@biology.ucsc.edu Address_______________________________
EDUCATION CHAIR City ___________
Steve Stocking 754-9020 snlsox@earthlink.net
State ______ Zipcode___________
FIELD TRIP COMMITTEE jhaas@sonnet.com Telephone ____________________
Jennie Haas 962-4759
GROWING AREA MGR. sjgarcia@mlode.com (Dues and gifts to CNPS are tax deductible)
Stephanie Garcia 586-3593
HOSPITALITY COORD. Winifred Stone 984-3638
□ I Wish to affiliate with the Sierra
Foothills Chapter.
INVASIVE EXOTICS scherwoodforest@sbcglobal.net
Veda Scherer 728-8921 Please make your check payable to “CNPS”
SALES COORD. Pat Reh 536-0871 and send it to: 2707 “K” street, Suite 1,
Sacramento, CA 95816 Tel. (916) 447-2677 –
MEMBERSHIP COORD. jhaas@sonnet.com
Jennie Haas 962-4759 Fax (916) 447-2727 Membership includes
NEWSLETTER EDITOR Conny Simonis 588-0484 conny@simonis.org the quarterly Fremontia magazine,
PLANT SALES CHAIR
CNPS Bulletin and the Shooting Star
Carolee James 928-4886 cvjames@frontiernet.net
newsletter.
SPRING PLANT SALES carpecircus@yahoo.com
COORD. Stefani Reichle 533-3181
PROGRAM CHAIR rbrown4674@aol.com
Bob Brown 928-9281
PUBLICITY COORD. conny@simonis.org
Conny Simonis 588-0484