As someone once said “ Let’s start from the beginning.” Horticulture defined: the science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants. Native California plants, more or less, fall under the flower and ornamental plant category, though some are eaten as fruits and vegetables. (more…)
I know it seems too early to be thinking seeds. Many of my plants are just starting to bloom. I just wanted to remind those who are interested that the seed exchange is going to take place ate the October meeting before the main program. Let a few of your garden native plants go to seed and bring the seed to the seed exchange. More information will follow in newsletters to come. There is information on seed collection available on the cnpsslo website under the resources/growing natives tab (link). Marti Rutherford
Santa Cruz Island Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius)
Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius is a mouthful to say but there is nothing edible about this tree. Lyonothamnus is endemic to the Channel Islands of California, where it grows in the chaparral and oak woodlands of the rocky coastal canyons. (more…)
Submitted to SLO Tribune
At the San Luis Obispo city Planning Commission meeting of Jan. 24 regarding the proposed continuing care facility known as Villaggio at the Froom Ranch, several commissioners wondered aloud if the project was not “a good project in the wrong place.” This came after a presentation that showed the project seeks removal of several important environmental constraints that constitute a grant of special privilege to the project sponsors. What are these constraints? What do the project sponsors seek? And how are these removals “special privileges”? (more…)
Here are some of the activities in which the SLO Chapter is involved that are often missed. Is there something here that excites you? If so, follow your passions – get involved!
Activities in April/May 2018: (more…)
Britton and Brown’s 1913 Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada Public Domain: Wikipedia
Ailanthus altissima is in the Quassia family. It is native to China. It grows in disturbed areas including riparian areas and may tolerate extremely harsh conditions. It forms dense thickets that outcompete native vegetation and reduce wildlife habitat. The female trees produce fruit at several years of age. One tree can produce 325,000 seeds or MORE annually! However, it does not produce a consistent seed bank. Tree-of-heaven also reproduces vegetatively from creeping roots. New shoots can sprout up to 50 ft. away from the parent tree. It is present in many places in San Luis Obispo County, especially riparian areas. It is difficult to control. Tarping seedlings may work. Small trees can be weed wrenched. The whole plant has to go: stump and roots. Ideally a chemical application on a cut stump should consist of 20% Garlon 4 Ultra with 80% crop oil.
Our chapter wrote to the California Coastal Commission to support an appeal against the illegal approval by SLO County of a subdivision of a large lot situated is an area mapped as ESHA (Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area) immediately adjacent to the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife’s Morro Dunes Preserve in Los Osos. The Coastal Plan specifically prohibits subdivision in ESHA. The site supports Morro manzanita, and is occupied by Coastal Dune Scrub, a rare plant association.
David Chipping
The Hoover Committee selected Marti Rutherford as the 2017 Honoree for the significant contributions she has made to our chapter. She has volunteered in many ways to promote the education and conservation of native flora in our county. Marti is an observant person with a true curiosity about plants and plant communities. Her interest in better knowing native plants inspires her passion for collecting seed and experimenting with propagation. The plants she grows bring her enjoyment, which she happily shares with our chapter and the larger community. (more…)
President Bill Waycott with students funded by SLO Chapter to attend the 2018 CNPS Conservation in Los Angeles. Left to Right: Paul Excoffier, Bill, Molly Vanderlip, Nora Bales. (more…)
While volunteering a few weeks ago in the CNPS co-sponsored San Luis Creek restoration project with the City of San Luis Obispo, several of us were removing weeds and planting natives along both sides of the creek in front of the Old Mission Church. This project is now entering its third year with nearly 200 native plants placed in this scenic landscape.
While working on the creek bank a few weeks ago, I noticed a number of shoots of giant horsetail, Equisetum telmateia, emerging on the (more…)
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