South Shore Meadow

Habitat Description:    Mostly level vernally hydric to mesic meadow bordered by Yellow Pine woodlands with a dirt road dividing the drier, more disturbed Northern third from the rest of the meadow. The clay-bearing soil holds water later into the season allowing more moisture-dependent plants than the topography would otherwise accomodate. A species of interest here is Orthocarpus bracteosus, which is parasitic on clumps of the native bunchgrass Danthonia californica. Also, this is the only habitat adjacent to Lake Siskiyou in which Wyethia angustifolia is found. This species is also present about a mile east in the Cantara-Ney Springs meadows. The population of Cordylanthes tenuis ssp. viscida in the disturbed Northern part of the meadow is hybridized with C. tenuis ssp. pallescens. No distinct individuals of the latter, listed species were located.

Note: This list is a work in progress and not a complete botanical survey as observations were only begun in late July 2004. Also, as the primary purpose of these observations was for gathering native wildflower seed, some grasses and the trees are not covered in these findings.