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Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm and Lake Chabot Regional Park, parts of East Bay Regional Park District. Published by East Bay Regional Park District.
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Wild Plants of
Ardenwood
Historic Farm
Common Name Version
A Photographic Guide
Sorted by Form, Color and Family
with Habitat Descriptions and Identification Notes
Photographs and text by Wilde Legard
District Botanist, East Bay Regional Park District
New Revised and Expanded Edition - Includes the latest
scientific names, habitat descriptions and identification notes
Decimal Inches
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English Inches
Notes:
A Photographic Guide to the Wild Plants of
Ardenwood Historic Farm
More than 2,000 species of native and naturalized plants grow wild in the San Francisco Bay Area. Most are very difficult to identify without the help of good illustrations. This is designed to
be a simple, color photo guide to help you identify some of these plants. This guide is published electronically in Adobe Acrobat® format so that it can easily be updated as additional
photographs become available. You have permission to freely download, distribute and print this guide for individual use. Photographs are © 2014 Wilde Legard, all rights reserved.
In this guide, the included plants are sorted first by form (Ferns & Fern-like, Grasses & Grass-like, Herbaceous, Woody), then by most common flower color, and finally by similar looking
flowers (grouped by genus within each family). Each photograph has the following information, separated by '-':
COMMON NAME
(Scientific Name)
Origin & Longevity
Family Name
(Bloom date range)
Habitat
ID Characteristics
Additional notes
Revision: 3/2/2014
According to The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California, Second Edition (JM2) and other references (not standardized).
According to JM2 and eFlora (ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html).
Native, Naturalized, or Waif (not reproducing without human care). Annual, Biennial, Perennial, or a combination.
Common family name according to JM2,
Period during the year when the plant blooms, according to JM2 and other sources. '-' if plant does not bloom (ie. Ferns).
Habitat description according to JM2 and other sources.
Plant description with identification characteristics and other notes, based on multiple sources including: Annotated Checklist of the East Bay Flora, Second
Edition (2013), JM2, Plants of the San Francisco Bay Region (Revised Edition), and Weeds of California and Other Western States.
Occasionally, an additional note may appear (ie. NOXIOUS weed, INVASIVE weed, Fed & Calif. ENDANGERED, etc.).
Grass-like - Green/Brown
SLENDER WILD OAT (Avena barbata)
Naturalized Annual - Grass Family - (Mar–Jun) Disturbed sites - Plants gen 24-32". Spikelets
0.8-1.2" long. Awns 0.8-1.8" long. Lemma tip
bristles >= 0.1" long. Seeds EDIBLE whole or
ground for flour. INVASIVE weed.
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
WILD OAT (Avena fatua) Naturalized Annual Grass Family - (Apr–Jun) - Disturbed sites Plants 1-5' tall. Spikelets 0.7-1.3" long. Low awn
1-1.6" long. Lemma tip bristles < 0.04" long.
Seeds EDIBLE whole or ground for flour.
INVASIVE weed.
CALIFORNIA BROME (Bromus carinatus var.
carinatus) Native Perennial - Grass Family (Apr–Aug) - Coastal prairies, openings in
chaparral, plains, open oak and pine woodland
-Plant 20-40” tall. Flower cluster 6-16” long.
Spikelet 0.8-1.6” long. Lemma 0.5-0.8” long,
hairy, awn 0.3-0.6” long.
Page 1
RESCUE GRASS (Bromus catharticus var.
catharticus) Naturalized Annual-Perennial - Grass
Family - (Apr–Nov) - Open, disturbed places Plant 8-48” tall. Flower cluster 3-12” long, ~ open.
Spikelet flattened, 0.6-1.2” long. Lemma 0.4-0.7”
long, awn < 0.2” long.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Grass-like - Green/Brown
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 2
RIPGUT GRASS (Bromus diandrus) Naturalized
Annual - Grass Family - (Apr–Jul) - Open, gen
disturbed areas - Plant 6-40" tall. Spikelet 1-2.8"
long. Lemma body 0.8-1.2" long, awn > 1.2" long.
Barbed seeds can stick in flesh of animals.
INVASIVE weed.
SOFT CHESS (Bromus hordeaceus) Naturalized
Annual - Grass Family - (Apr–Jul) - Fields,
disturbed areas - Plant 4-26” tall. Leaf hairy.
Flower cluster 1-5” long, dense, some stalks >
spikelet. Spikelet 0.5-0.9”. Lemma 0.26-0.4”, awn
0.16-0.4”. INVASIVE weed.
RED BROME (Bromus madritensis subsp.
rubens) Naturalized Annual - Grass Family (Mar–Jun) - Disturbed areas, roadsides - Plant
4-20". Flower cluster condensed, branches
obscure, < spikelets. Stem & sheathes hairy.
INVASIVE weed.
SMOOTH
PAMPAS
GRASS
(Cortaderia
selloana) Naturalized Perennial - Grass Family (Sep–Mar) - Disturbed sites - Plant 6-13' tall. Leaf
blades 0.1-0.5" wide, sheathes smooth. Cultivar,
rarely escaped. INVASIVE weed.
ORCHARD
GRASS
(Dactylis
glomerata)
Naturalized Perennial - Grass Family (May–Aug) - Disturbed, often moist sites - Stems
2-5, 12-79”+ tall. Leaf blade 0.12-0.24” wide.
Flower cluster 1.6-8” long. Spikelets crowded on
1 side. Lemmas short-awned at tip. INVASIVE
weed.
BROME
FESCUE
(Festuca
bromoides)
Naturalized Annual - Grass Family - (May–Jun) Uncommon. Dry, disturbed places, coastal-sage
scrub, chaparral - Stem < 20". Inflor 0.6-6" tall,
dense, lower branches erect. Spikelet 0.2-0.4"
long, awn 0.1-0.3" long.
RYE GRASS (Festuca perennis) Naturalized
Perennial - Grass Family - (May–Sep) - Dry to
moist disturbed sites, abandoned fields - Stem
20-40" tall. Spikelet 0.2-0.9" long, > glume,
awned or awnless. Sterile shoots at base.
INVASIVE weed.
MEDITERRANEAN BARLEY (Hordeum marinum
subsp. gussoneanum) Naturalized Annual Grass Family - (Apr–Jun) - Dry to moist,
disturbed sites - Stem 4-20". Leaf blades to 32"
long, auricles < 0.08". Central lemma awn
0.25-0.7" long. INVASIVE weed.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Grass-like - Green/Brown
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 3
HARE BARLEY (Hordeum murinum subsp.
leporinum) Naturalized Annual - Grass Family (Feb–May) - Moist, gen disturbed sites. Common
- Stem 12-43" tall. Central spikelet stalk ~0.06"
long. Central floret << lateral florets. INVASIVE
weed.
WALL BARLEY (Hordeum murinum subsp.
murinum) Naturalized Annual - Grass Family (Feb–May) - Moist, gen disturbed sites - Stem
1-2'. Leaf auricles notable. Central spikelet stalk
0-0.02". Central floret gen = lateral florets.
INVASIVE weed.
HARDING
GRASS
(Phalaris
aquatica)
Naturalized Perennial - Grass Family - (Apr–Aug)
- Disturbed areas, roadsides - Plant 16-79" tall,
tufted. Flower cluster 0.6-6" long, unbranched.
Lower florets 1 or or unequal. Glume wing
untoothed. INVASIVE weed.
ANNUAL BLUE GRASS (Poa annua) Naturalized
Annual - Grass Family - (Feb–Sep) - Abundant.
Disturbed moist ground - Plant 1-8” tall. Leaf
blade 0.04-0.12” wide, soft. Flower cluster 0.4-4”
long, triangular. Lemmas 0.1-0.16” long.
BULBOUS BLUE GRASS (Poa bulbosa subsp.
vivipara) Naturalized Perennial - Grass Family (Mar–Jul) - Disturbed places - Plant 6-24” tall,
densely tufted. Leaf blades 0.04-0.08” wide.
Flower cluster 1-4” long. Spikelets replaced wtih
leafy bulblets.
RABBITFOOT
GRASS
(Polypogon
monspeliensis) Naturalized Annual - Grass
Family - (Apr–Aug) - Moist places, along streams
- Stem 8-39". Leaf 0.4-8" long, 0.16-0.24" wide.
Flower cluster 0.4-6.7" long, plume-like. Glume
awn > 0.14". Lemma awn gen < 0.1". INVASIVE.
BALTIC RUSH (Juncus balticus subsp. ater)
Native Perennial - Rush Family - (Jul–Nov) Moist to ± dry sites - Stem 14-43" tall, round, not
twisted. No leaf blade. Flowers generally 0.1-0.2"
long.
TOAD RUSH (Juncus bufonius var. bufonius)
Native Annual - Rush Family - (May–Sep) - Damp
sunny ground, gen disturbed - Stem gen 1-4" tall,
gen brached from base, ~0.04" wide. Flower
cluster open. Flowers 0.16-0.3" long.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Herbaceous - Blue/Pink/Purple
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 4
REDSTEM FILAREE (Erodium cicutarium)
Naturalized Annual - Geranium Family (Feb–Sep) - Open, disturbed sites, grassland,
scrub - Stem 4-20". Leaves compound, leaflets
dissected. Sepal tip bristly. Petal pink to purple.
Fruit beak 0.8-2". INVASIVE.
GREENSTEM FILAREE (Erodium moschatum)
Naturalized Annual - Geranium Family (Feb–Sep) - Open, disturbed sites - Stem 4-24",
short-hairy. Leaves compound, leaflets toothed.
Sepal tip glabrous. Petals 0.4-0.6" long, pink.
Fruit beak 0.8-1.6" long.
CUT-LEAVED
GERANIUM
(Geranium
dissectum) Naturalized Annual - Geranium
Family - (Mar–Jul) - Open, disturbed sites - Stem
3-28" tall, rough-hairy. Leaf blades deeply
divided. Petals violet-red, 0.1-0.25" long
w/notched tips. Flower stalk sticky. INVASIVE.
GRASS-POLY (Lythrum hyssopifolia) Naturalized
Annual-Perennial - Loosestrife Family - (Apr–Oct)
- Marshes, drying pond margins, disturbed
ground - Stem 4-24". Leaves 0.2-1.2" long, ~
elliptical. Petals pink, 0.1-0.2" long. 2 awl-like
appendages. INVASIVE weed.
BULL MALLOW (Malva nicaeensis) Naturalized
Annual - Mallow Family - (Mar–Jun) - Disturbed
places - Stem 0.7-2'. Leaf blade 1.2-4.7" wide,
5-7
shallow
lobes.
Bractlets
egg-shaped,0.16-0.2" long. Petals pink to
blue-violet, 0.2-0.5" long.
RADISH (Raphanus sativus) Naturalized Annual Mustard Family - (May–Jul) - Disturbed areas,
fields - Stem 16-51" long. Petals 0.6-1" long,
white to purple. Fruit a fat cylinder w/constrictions
between seeds. INVASIVE weed.
SPRING VETCH (Vicia sativa subsp. sativa)
Naturalized Annual - Pea Family - (Mar–Jun) Roadsides, disturbed areas, grassland, open
areas in oak and riparian woodlands - Flowers
1-2 at leaf bases, pink-purple to white, 0.7-1.2"
long. Leaflets 0.16-0.4" wide.
SPARSELY HAIRY VETCH (Vicia villosa subsp.
varia) Naturalized Annual-Biennial - Pea Family (Mar–Jun) - Grassland, roadside, disturbed areas
- Stems w/few hairs. Flowers 10-20, blue-purple
to white, 0.4-0.55" long. Lower bract lobes
0.04-0.1" long.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Herbaceous - Blue/Pink/Purple
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 5
PINKLOBE
LEPTOSIPHON
(Leptosiphon
androsaceus) Native Annual - Phlox Family (Apr–Jun) - Open or shaded areas in woodland,
chaparral - Plant 2-18", hairy. Flowers pink,
bracted group, tube 0.4-1.3" long, lobes gen >
0.3" long.
RED
SAND-SPURRY
(Spergularia
rubra)
Naturalized Annual-Perennial - Pink Family (Spring–fall) - Forest, meadows, mud flats,
disturbed - Plant 1.6-10". Leaf non-fleshy, whorls
w/large white bracts. Petals pink. Stamens 6-10.
Sepals < 0.16".
PERSIAN SPEEDWELL (Veronica persica)
Naturalized Annual - Plantain Family - (Feb–May)
- Wet, disturbed areas, fields - Stem 2-24" long,
crawling. Flowers on 0.6-1.2" long stalks. Flowers
blue, purple-lined with a white center.
ITALIAN THISTLE (Carduus pycnocephalus
subsp. pycnocephalus) Naturalized Annual Sunflower Family - (Mar–Jul) - Roadsides,
pastures, disturbed areas - Stems 8-79", narrow
spiny-wings. Lower leaves 4-10 lobed, heads 2-5,
flower bracts woolly. NOXIOUS.
BULL THISTLE (Cirsium vulgare) Naturalized
Biennial - Sunflower Family - (May–Oct) Common. Disturbed areas - Plant 12-79" tall. Top
of leaves bristly; leaf base forming decurrent
wings on stem. Flowers purple, gen 1-2" wide.
NOXIOUS weed.
MILK THISTLE (Silybum marianum) Naturalized
Annual-Biennial - Sunflower Family - (Feb–Jun) Roadsides, pastures, disturbed areas - Stem
1-10', stout. Leaves spiny, shiny green w/white
veins and spots. Flowers red-purple. INVASIVE
weed.
PURPLE SALSIFY (Tragopogon porrifolius)
Naturalized Biennial-Perennial - Sunflower Family
- (Mar–Nov) - Common. Disturbed places - Plant
16-39" tall, milky sap. Leaves 0.8-1.6" long, very
narrow, waxy blue. Flowers purple.
CURLY DOCK (Rumex crispus) Naturalized
Perennial - Buckwheat Family - (All year) Abundant. Disturbed places - Stem 16-39" tall.
Flower cluster dense, valves 0.2-0.24", winged
around tubercles, smooth edged. 1 tubercle
enlarged. INVASIVE.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Herbaceous - Green/Brown
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 6
FIDDLE DOCK (Rumex pulcher) Naturalized
Perennial - Buckwheat Family - (May–Sep) Disturbed places, meadows, moist or dry habitats
- Stem 8-24" long, branches widely spreading.
Leaf blades 1.6-4" long, 1.2-2" wide. Valves
w/2-5 teeth.
WALL GOOSEFOOT (Chenopodium murale)
Naturalized Annual - Goosefoot Family - (All
year) - Common. Disturbed areas, fields - Plant
6-24" tall. Leaves dark green, shiny, broad,
toothed. Seeds horizontal, bumpy, rim angled.
RUSSIAN THISTLE (Salsola tragus) Naturalized
Annual-Perennial - Goosefoot Family - (Jul–Oct) Common. Disturbed places - Plant < 5' tall. Stem
gen red-striped, widely branched. Leaves
succulent, 0.3-2" long, upper spine-tipped.
NOXIOUS.
DWARF NETTLE (Urtica urens) Naturalized
Annual - Nettle Family - (Jan–Jun) - Disturbed
areas, stream banks, shaded areas in grassland,
oak woodland, chaparral, coastal-sage scrub,
riparian woodland - Leaf teeth sharp. Petals 2
large, 2 small, free to base.
CUT-LEAF PLANTAIN (Plantago coronopus)
Native Annual-Biennial - Plantain Family (Apr–Jul) - Coastal bluffs, salt marshes, trampled
places, chaparral, grassy flats - Leaves 1.6-10"
long, tooth-like lobes. Flower: stems 1-6, 2-20"
tall, cluster 0.8-8" long.
COMMON
PLANTAIN
(Plantago
major)
Naturalized Annual-Perennial - Plantain Family (Apr–Sep) - Disturbed areas - Leaves basal,
blades 5-18 cm long, broadly oval, not hairy.
Flowers + stem 2-24" tall, flower cluster gen
1.2-8" long.
SHEEP SORREL (Rumex acetosella) Naturalized
Perennial - Buckwheat Family - (Apr–Jul) - ±
Disturbed, often acidic places - Stem < 16". Leaf
gen basal, blade 0.8-2.4" long, lower
arrowhead-shaped w/2 lobes. Flowers yellowish,
turn reddish. INVASIVE.
SCARLET PIMPERNEL (Anagallis arvensis)
Naturalized Annual - Myrsine Family - (Mar–May)
- Common. Disturbed places, ocean beaches Plants 2-16" tall. Flowers 0.2-0.3" long, salmon or
occasionally blue. Leaves TOXIC, can cause
dermititis.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Herbaceous - Red/Orange
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 7
CRIMSON CLOVER (Trifolium incarnatum)
Naturalized Annual - Pea Family - (May–Aug) Uncommon. Disturbed areas - Hairy. Leaflets
0.6-0.8" long, wedge-shaped. Flower cluster
0.8-2.4" long, cylindrical. Flowers crimson or
white, 0.4-0.6" long.
CALIFORNIA POPPY (Eschscholzia californica)
Native Perennial - Poppy Family - (Feb–Sep) Grassy, open areas - Plant 2-24" tall. Flower
w/spreading rim <= 0.2". Petals 0.8-2.4" long,
early spring = large and orange, fall = smaller and
yellow.
KNOTWEED (Polygonum aviculare subsp.
depressum) Naturalized Annual - Buckwheat
Family - (May–Nov) - Disturbed places - Stem
4-20", mat-forming. Flowers 2-8/leaf axil, ~0.1"
long, fused 1/2 length, w/white or pink margins.
POISON HEMLOCK (Conium maculatum)
Naturalized Biennial - Carrot Family - (Apr–Jul) Common. Moist, esp disturbed places - Plants
2-10' tall. Stems purple-spotted. Leaves fern-like,
gen 2x divided. Flowers white. TOXIC. INVASIVE
weed.
TALL SOCK-DESTROYER (Torilis arvensis)
Naturalized Annual - Carrot Family - (Apr–Jul) Disturbed places - Plant erect, 12-40". Flower
clusters open, > leaf. Fruits 0.1-0.2" long,
covered with uncurved bristles. Flowers white or
pinkish. INVASIVE weed.
GOOSE GRASS (Galium aparine) Native Annual
- Madder Family - (Apr–Jun) - Grassy, ± shady
places - Stem 12-35" long, weak, brittle. Leaves
0.5-1.6" long, in whorls of 6-8. Flowers white,
4-lobed. Fruits covered w/short, hooked hairs.
CHEESEWEED (Malva parviflora) Naturalized
Annual - Mallow Family - (Mar–May) - Common.
Disturbed places - Stem 8-32" long, gen erect,
widely branched. Flower bractlets linear. Petals
0.1-0.2" long, pink to gen white. Fruit with flange
from flower bracts.
BINDWEED (Convolvulus arvensis) Naturalized
Perennial - Morning-glory Family - (Mar–Oct) Roadsides, open areas in many pl communities Trailing. Leaf 0.8-1.2" long, w/round tip, pointed
lobes. Flowers white to pink, 0.8-1" long.
NOXIOUS.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Herbaceous - White
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 8
SHEPHERD'S PURSE (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
Naturalized Annual - Mustard Family - (Jan–Oct)
- Disturbed areas - Stem 4-20" long. Basal leaves
1.2-2.4" long, dandelion-like. Petals white,
0.08-0.16" long. Fruits 0.16-0.35" long, flat,
heart-shaped.
LESSER SWINE CRESS (Lepidium didymum)
Naturalized Annual - Mustard Family - (Mar–Jul) Common. Disturbed areas, fields, pastures Stem 4-18" tall. Petals white, ~0.02" long. Fruit
wrinkled, style < notch.
THREADLEAF
PEPPERGRASS
(Lepidium
nitidum) Native Annual - Mustard Family (Feb–Mar) - Alkaline soils, pastures, dry vernal
pools, fields, beaches - Fruit stalk flat. Fruit
smooth, 0.14-0.24" long, cupped, winged.
WHITE CLOVER (Trifolium repens) Naturalized
Perennial - Pea Family - (Feb–Dec) - Disturbed
areas - Stem creeping. Leaflets 0.2-1" long, oval,
wider at tip end. Flower cluster 0.4-1" wide.
Flowers white, 0.28-0.43" long, becoming
reflexed. No head bract.
BICOLOR LEPTOSIPHON (Leptosiphon bicolor)
Native Annual - Phlox Family - (Mar–Jun) Common. Open, grassy areas, chaparral,
woodland - Plant 0.8-8.3" tall, hairy. Flower lobes
~0.1" long, pink or white; tube red; stigma
<=0.02" long.
STICKY MOUSE-EAR CHICKWEED (Cerastium
glomeratum) Naturalized Annual - Pink Family (Spring) - Dry hillsides, grassland, chaparral,
disturbed areas - Flowers 0.1-02" long, white,
sticky-hairy. Flower bract hairs extend beyond tip;
bracts herbaceous.
COMMON CHICKWEED (Stellaria media)
Naturalized Annual - Pink Family - (Feb–Sep) Oak woodland, meadows, disturbed areas - Plant
2.8-20" tall. Stem w/line of hairs on 1 side. Sepals
0.12-0.18" long. Petals white, 2-lobed, 0.7-0.9x
sepals.
ENGLISH PLANTAIN (Plantago lanceolata)
Naturalized Annual - Plantain Family - (Apr–Aug)
- Common. Disturbed areas - Leaves basal,
hairy, 2-10" long, <= 1" wide. Flowers + stem
8-31" tall, flower cluster 0.8-3" long. INVASIVE,
lawn weed.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Herbaceous - Yellow
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 9
YELLOW JOHNNY-TUCK (Triphysaria eriantha
subsp. eriantha) Native Annual - Broom-rape
Family - (Mar–May) - Grassland, foothills - Plant
4-14" tall, purple. Leaves 0.4-2" long, 3-7 lobed.
Flowers yellow with dark purple beak, 0.4-1" long.
PRICKLESEED
BUTTERCUP
(Ranunculus
muricatus) Naturalized Annual - Buttercup Family
- (Apr–Jun) - Stream-banks, drainages, low
meadows - Plant 6-20". Leaves gen 3-lobed.
Petals yellow, 5, 0.16-0.3" long. Fruits 0.2" long
with curved bristles.
PUNCTURE
VINE
(Tribulus
terrestris)
Naturalized Annual - Caltrop Family - (Apr–Oct) Dry, disturbed areas incl roadsides, railways,
vacant lots - Sprawling. Leaflets 6-12. Flowers
yellow, < 0.2" wide. Fruits star-like, spines
0.16-0.28" long. NOXIOUS.
FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare) Naturalized
Perennial - Carrot Family - (May–Sep) Roadsides, disturbed sites - Plants 3-6.5' tall,
anise-scented. Stems waxy-blue, canelike.
Flowers yellow. Leaf segments thread-like, edible
when young. INVASIVE weed.
BLACK MUSTARD (Brassica nigra) Naturalized
Annual - Mustard Family - (Apr–Sep) - Common.
Disturbed areas, fields - Plant 1-6' tall. Petals
bright yellow, 0.3-0.4" long. Fruit upright, pressed
against stem. INVASIVE weed.
TURNIP (Brassica rapa) Naturalized Annual Mustard Family - (Jan–May) - Disturbed areas Stem 8-40" tall. Leaves clasping, upper
smooth-edged & waxy. Petals yellow, 0.2-0.4"
long, stalk 0.3-1"; fruit beak > 0.4". INVASIVE
weed.
HEDGE MUSTARD (Sisymbrium officinale)
Naturalized Annual - Mustard Family - (Apr–Sep)
- Disturbed areas, fields, pastures - Stem 10-22"
tall, thin, wiry. Petals 0.1-0.16" long, pale yellow.
Fruit 0.4-0.55" long, awl-shaped, appressed.
BERMUDA BUTTERCUP (Oxalis pes-caprae)
Naturalized Perennial - Oxalis Family (Jan–May) - Disturbed areas, roadsides,
grassland, dunes - Flowering stem < 12" tall.
Leaflets in 3s, < 1.4" long. Petals yellow, < 1"
long. Ornamental. INVASIVE weed.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Herbaceous - Yellow
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 10
CALIFORNIA
BURCLOVER
(Medicago
polymorpha) Naturalized Annual - Pea Family (Mar–Jul) - Common. Chaparral, oak woodland,
streambanks, roadsides, disturbed areas - Stem
4-20". Flower yellow, 0.14-0.24" long. Spiny spiral
fruits. INVASIVE.
SOURCLOVER (Melilotus indicus) Naturalized
Annual-Biennial - Pea Family - (Apr–Oct) - Open,
disturbed areas - Stem 4-24" long. Leaflets 3,
0.4-1" long. Flowers yellow, ~0.1" long.
BRISTLY
LEPTOSIPHON
(Leptosiphon
acicularis) Native Annual - Phlox Family (Apr–May) - Grassy areas, woodland, chaparral Plant 1-6" tall, hairy. Leaf lobes 0.1-0.4",
needle-like. Flowers yellow. CNPS: FAIRLY
ENDANGERED.
PURSLANE (Portulaca oleracea) Naturalized
Perennial - Purslane Family - (Late spring-early
fall) - Disturbed soil - Stem 1.2-16" long,
spreading.
Leaves
0.12-1.2"
long,
~
spoon-shaped, flat. Flowers solitary. Petals
yellow, 4-6, 0.12-0.2" long.
YELLOW STAR-THISTLE (Centaurea solstitialis)
Naturalized Annual - Sunflower Family (May–Oct) - Invasive, roadsides, disturbed
grassland or woodland - Plant 4-39" tall. Leaves
woolly, extend down the stem. Flower bract
spines 0.4-1" long. NOXIOUS weed.
BRASS-BUTTONS
(Cotula
coronopifolia)
Naturalized Perennial - Sunflower Family (Mar–Dec) - Common. Saline and freshwater
marshes, mud flats - Plant 2-16"+ tall, smooth, ±
fleshy. Leaves linear to lance-shaped w/linear
teeth or lobes. INVASIVE.
DANDELION-LEAF
HAWKSBEARD
(Crepis
vesicaria subsp. taraxacifolia) Naturalized
Annual-Biennial - Sunflower Family - (Feb–Oct) Sandy clearings, hillsides, disturbed places Plant 1-47" tall. Leaves dandelion-like. Fruit beak
0.1-0.2" long.
FLAX-LEAVED
HORSEWEED
(Erigeron
bonariensis) Naturalized Annual - Sunflower
Family - (All year) - Disturbed sites - Plant 4-39"
tall, gray-hairy. Upper leaves narrow. Disk flowers
yellow, disk-like rays white. Head bracts 0.14-0.2"
tall.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Herbaceous - Yellow
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 11
BRISTLY
OX-TONGUE
(Helminthotheca
echioides)
Naturalized
Annual-Biennial
Sunflower Family - (All year) - Common.
Disturbed areas - Stem 1-6.5' tall, bristly. Leaf
2-8" long, covered with prickly bumps. Flower
heads 0.8-1.6" wide. INVASIVE weed.
SMOOTH CAT'S-EAR (Hypochaeris glabra)
Naturalized Annual - Sunflower Family (Mar–Jun) - Common. Disturbed areas,
grassland, open woodland - Plant 4-24" tall,
smooth. Rays 0.2-0.3" long, barely > head bracts.
Only inner fruit beaked. INVASIVE.
PRICKLY
LETTUCE
(Lactuca
serriola)
Naturalized Annual - Sunflower Family (May–Oct) - Abundant. Disturbed places - Stem
1.6-10' tall, prickly-bristly. Leaves deeply-lobed,
midvein and edges prickly-bristly. Flowers pale
yellow, 0.16-0.2" wide.
PINEAPPLE WEED (Matricaria discoidea)
Naturalized Annual - Sunflower Family (Feb–Aug) - Abundant. Disturbed sites,
riverbanks - Plant 4-12" tall, sweet-scented.
Heads pineapple-shaped, ~ 0.4" wide; head stalk
to 0.6" long.
COMMON GROUNDSEL (Senecio vulgaris)
Naturalized Annual - Sunflower Family (Feb–Jul) - Common. Disturbed areas - Plant
4-24" tall, not hairy, w/1-10+ stems. Flower head
bracts with black-tips. Milky sap.
PRICKLY SOW THISTLE (Sonchus asper subsp.
asper) Naturalized Annual - Sunflower Family (All year) - Common. Slightly moist disturbed
sites, along streams - Plant 4-48". Leaf teeth
prickly. Basal lobes of upper leaves rounded,
curving downward.
COMMON SOW THISTLE (Sonchus oleraceus)
Naturalized Annual - Sunflower Family - (All year)
- Abundant. Disturbed places - Plant 4-55" tall.
Leaf teeth soft to touch. Basal lobes of upper
leaves sharply pointed, straight to curving
upward.
COMMON DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale)
Naturalized Biennial-Perennial - Sunflower Family
- (All year) - Abundant. Esp disturbed areas Stem hollow. Leaves bright green with sharp
down-pointing lobes. Outer head bracts reflexed.
Fruit ~ brown.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Woody - Blue/Pink/Purple
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 12
BLUE BLOSSOM (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var.
thyrsiflorus) Native Perennial - Buckthorn Family (Mar–Jun) - Bluffs, slopes, canyons, chaparral,
coastal scrub, closed-cone-pine forest - Leaves
alternate, 3 main veins. Twigs angled, ridged
lengthwise.
CALIFORNIA COFFEE BERRY (Frangula
californica subsp. californica) Native Perennial Buckthorn Family - (May–Jul) - Coastal-sage
scrub, chaparral, forest, woodland - Shrub < 16'
tall. Flowers greenish. Leaves smooth beneath.
REDWOOD (Sequoia sempervirens) Native
Perennial - Cypress Family - - - Redwood forest Tree to 380' tall, evergreen. Leaves alternate: on
rapidly growing stems awl-like, < 0.3" long; others
flat, 0.2-1" long. Seed cone 0.5-1.4" diam, woody.
COAST LIVE OAK (Quercus agrifolia var.
agrifolia) Native Perennial - Oak Family (Mar–Apr) - Valleys, slopes, mixed-evergreen
forest, woodland - Tree 30-80'. Leaves convex,
hair-tuft below in vein axils. Acorns on 1st year
twigs, shell glabrous inside.
VALLEY OAK (Quercus lobata) Native Perennial
- Oak Family - (Mar–Apr) - Slopes, valleys,
savanna - Tree < 115' tall, deciduous. Leaves
2-5" long, not leathery, deeply lobed, lobes
without bristles. Acorns 1.2-2" long, slender, cup
0.4-1.2" deep.
WESTERN POISON OAK (Toxicodendron
diversilobum) Native Perennial - Sumac Family (Apr–Jun) - Canyons, slopes, chaparral, coastal
scrub, oak woodland - Shrub or vine. Leaflets 3,
red in fall, mid leaflet stalked. Flowers green.
Fruits white. TOXIC.
N. CALIFORNIA BLACK WALNUT (Juglans
hindsii) Native Perennial - Walnut Family (Apr–May) - Along streams, disturbed slopes Tree 20-75'. Leaflets 13-21, 3-5". Fruit 1.4-2"
wide. CNPS: SERIOUSLY ENDANGERED
(unplanted).
FREMONT COTTONWOOD (Populus fremontii
subsp. fremontii) Native Perennial - Willow Family
- (Mar–Apr) - Scattered. Alluvial bottomland,
streamsides - Tree < 66' tall. Leaves
heart-shaped to triangular, coarsely scalloped,
blade 1.2-2.8" long.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Woody - Red/Orange
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 13
WESTERN SYCAMORE (Platanus racemosa)
Native Perennial - Sycamore Family - (Feb–Apr) Common. Streamsides, canyons, arroyos - Tree
33-115' tall. Bark peeling pale. Leaf blades 4-10"
long, palmately lobed, smooth to hairy above,
short-woolly under.
ENGLISH HOLLY (Ilex aquifolium) Naturalized
Perennial - Holly Family - (May-Jun) - Cool,
wooded areas - Shrub or tree < 66' tall. Leaves
1-2.4" long, edges smooth or w/spine-like teeth.
Flower petals ~0.1" long, dull white. Fruits red,
~0.3" wide, smooth.
JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE (Lonicera japonica)
Naturalized Perennial - Honeysuckle Family (May–Jul) - Disturbed places - Twining shrub.
Leaf gen 1.2-3.1" long. Flowers white turning
yellow, 1-1.6" long, in pairs. Fruits black.
INVASIVE watch list.
BLUE ELDERBERRY (Sambucus nigra subsp.
caerulea) Native Perennial - Muskroot Family (Mar–Sep) - Common. Streambanks, open
places in forest - Shrub 7-26' tall. Flower cluster
flat-topped, 1.6-13" diam, petals spreading. Fruits
waxy blue-black.
RIVER RED GUM (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
Naturalized Perennial - Myrtle Family - (Apr–Jul) Common. Disturbed areas - Tree to 80' tall.
Leaves 2-8" long, 0.6-1" wide. Flowers 5-10 in
simple umbel, small, white; bud cap <0.25".
INVASIVE.
BLUE GUM (Eucalyptus globulus) Naturalized
Perennial - Myrtle Family - (Oct–Jan) - Common.
Disturbed areas - Tree < 200' tall. Flowers single,
large, gen stemless. Leaves 4-12" long, 1-1.6"
wide; used medicinally by Aboriginals. INVASIVE
weed.
CHRISTMAS BERRY / TOYON (Heteromeles
arbutifolia) Native Perennial - Rose Family ((May)Jun–Aug) - Chaparral, oak woodland,
mixed-evergreen forest - Shrub-tree < 33' tall,
evergreen. Leaf 2-4" long. Petals white, < 0.16"
long. Fruit bright red.
WOOLLY FIRETHORN (Pyracantha angustifolia)
Naturalized Perennial - Rose Family - (Feb–Jun)
- Disturbed areas, fencerows, abandoned fields,
roadsides - Plant < 13', gray-hairy. Leaves
narrow, entire. Calyx and below leaves often
woolly. INVASIVE.
Revision: 3/2/2014
Woody - White
Wild Plants of Ardenwood Historic Farm - Sorted by Form, Color and Family
Page 14
HIMALAYAN
BLACKBERRY
(Rubus
armeniacus) Naturalized Perennial - Rose Family
- (Mar–Jun) - Common. Disturbed areas,
roadsides - Shrub w/thorny 5-angled stem.
Leaflets 3-5, white-hairy beneath. Blackberry-type
fruit. INVASIVE.
CALIFORNIA BLACKBERRY (Rubus ursinus)
Native Perennial - Rose Family - (Mar–Jul) Open, disturbed areas - Stem round,
bristly/prickly. Leaves simple to 3 leaflets,
underside green. Plants unisexual. Petals
0.24-0.6" long, white. Blackberry-type fruit.
CALIFORNIA BUCKEYE (Aesculus californica)
Native Perennial - Soapberry Family - (May–Jun)
- Dry slopes, canyons, borders of streams - Large
shrub or tree 13-39' tall. 5-7 leaflets. Flowers
white to pale rose. Large seeds toxic but edible
after leaching out saponins.
PEPPER TREE (Schinus molle) Naturalized
Perennial - Sumac Family - (Jun–Aug) - Washes,
slopes, abandoned fields - Tree 16-60' tall.
Flowers white to yellow. Leaves compound,
leaflets stemless. Fruits pink to red, 0.2-0.3"
diam.
COYOTE BRUSH (Baccharis pilularis subsp.
consanguinea) Native Perennial - Sunflower
Family - (Jul–Dec) - Coastal bluffs, woodland,
grassland, disturbed sites, occ on serpentine Shrub < 15' tall, brittle, common. Leaves gen
0.6-1.6" long.
CALIFORNIA BAY (Umbellularia californica)
Native Perennial - Laurel Family - (Nov–May) Common. Canyons, valleys, chaparral - Tree <
150' tall. Leaf 1.2-4", 0.6-1.2" wide, aromatic.
Cluster of 5-10 small, yellow or yellow-green
flowers. Fruit 0.8-1" diam.
BLACKWOOD ACACIA (Acacia melanoxylon)
Naturalized Perennial - Pea Family - (Feb-Mar) Uncommon. Disturbed areas - Tree < 100' tall.
Leaves simple, 0.2-1.2" wide, 3-5 main veins.
Flowers pale yellow, 2-8 per head. INVASIVE
weed.
RED WILLOW (Salix laevigata) Native Perennial
- Willow Family - (Dec–Jun) - Common.
Riverbanks, seepage areas, lakeshores, canyons
- Tree bark fissured. Leaf lanceolate, glaucous
below, gen w/stalk glands. Stamens 5. Fruit
glabrous.
Notes:
Decimal Inches
.1 .2 .3 .4
1/8
1/4
.5 .6
1/2
.7 .8 .9
3/4
1
.5
2
.5
3
.5
4
.5
5
.5
6
.5
7
.5
8
.5
9
1
1/2
2
1/2
3
1/2
4
1/2
5
1/2
6
1/2
7
1/2
8
1/2
9
English Inches
Notes: