We have been gathering seeds and raising native plants for use in restoration work on the headlands. Here is some information on the plants we are utilizing. Click the numbers following the English names for photos.
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Achillea millefolium
Yarrow has a variety of medicinal and herbal uses. Its concentration of camphors, oils and aromatics make a popular treatment for fevers and colds. The hemostatic characteristic is good for stopping or slowing bleeding from small cuts, and is soothing for muscle aches and inflammation. The root can be chewed for relief of tooth and gum pain and swelling.
Angelica hendersonii
Henderson's (Coast) Angelica - 1 - 2 - 3
2 - 5 feet tall;, stout stem. Distinctive "puckered pod" forming at top of stalk from which flowers bloom.
Artemesia californica
Coast Sage or California Sagebrush - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
One of the signature plants of the coastal scrub and chaparral, along with Poison Oak, Coyote Bush, Yellow Bush Lupine and Sticky Monkey Flower. Although not the same as culinary sage, the leaves, fresh or dried, make excellent seasoning.
Aster chilensis
Coast Aster or Common California Aster - 1 - 2 - 3
Asters bloom well into November, and are often the last flowers seen along the trails on a late fall hike.
Baccharis pilularis
Coyote Bush - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17
Varied in form from ground hugging to 6' tall bush in protected areas. One of the signature plants of Coastal Scrub & Chaparral. Coyote bush is a nectar sources for most of the predatory wasps, native small butterflies and native flies. Coyote Bush develops an extensive fibrous root system, extending many yards out from the plant, making it an excellent species to use in restoration of disturbed areas subject to erosion damage.
Calamagrostis nutkaensis
Pacific Reed Grass- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15
A larger species of the native bunch grasses growing 3 - 5 ft tall. Not too common.
Carex sp.
Typically found in wetter areas.
Elymus glaucus
Blue Wild Rye - 1 (link to photos on CalPhoto)
Native perennial bunchgrass found from Alaska to New York.
Erigeron glaucus
6 - 12 inches tall, low spreading colonies along trails and in open areas.
Eriogonum latifolium
Coast Buckwheat - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14
Buckwheat tea is good as an anti-inflammatory, and had been used by Native American and Mexican herbalists for centuries. It makes a good eyewash, and Californian Native Americans used it to wash new born babies. Coast Buckwheat is an important food plant for many of the local butterfly species.
Eriophyllum staechadifolium
Lizard Tail - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
1 - 5 feet tall; shrubby. One of the signature plants of Coastal Scrub & Chaparral.
Festuca californica
A medium to large bunchgrass used for re-vegetating grassland that has been cleared or claimed by non-native grasses.
Grindelia stricta
Coastal Gum Plant - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10
A sticky, white glue-like substance collects at the opening of the developing flower. As the petals develop, the "glue" recedes as the flower opens.
Heracleum lanatum
Cow Parsnip - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8
Large plant with leaves up to 1-2 feet across. Blooms as early as February through May, with large umbels comprised of tiny, white flowers.
Horkelia californica
California Horkelia - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
1 to 2 feet tall; flowers are small and white, with 5 thin petals.
Juncus effusus
Spreading Rush or Brown Bog Rush - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11
Plants up to 90 cm tall (3 ft), growing in clumps from common stems, nodes and roots. Grows in boggy areas, edges of ponds & creeks, along seeps.
Juncus occidentalis
Western Rush (link to photos on CalPhoto)
This is a bunching perennial herb with thin, stiff stems reaching maximum heights between 30 and 60 centimeters.
Mimulus aurantiacus
Sticky (Bush) Monkey Flower - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
Sticky Monkey Flower is one of the most pervasive plants on the headlands. You can find some blooming almost any time of the year, but it is most prolific in summer, when the mountain slopes are decorated with its orange flowers set off against the dark green leaves.
Monardella villosa var. franciscana
Coyote Mint - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
This member of the mint family has very fragrant leaves, which are paired along the stem alternating at right angles. It has balls of tiny pink/purple flowers from May through August.
Nassella pulchra
Purple Needlegrass- 1 (link to photos on CalPhoto)
Nassella pulchra is a perennial bunchgrass up to a meter tall. The extensive root system can reach 20 feet deep into the soil, making the grass drought tolerant. Purple needlegrass became the California State Grass in 2004.
Sanicula crassicaulis
A rather un-assuming plant, gangly and often "weedy - looking", with small, modest flowers. Sanicle is very common along all trails in late spring and early summer.
Scrophularia californica
California Bee Plant (Figwort) - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
3 - 6 feet tall, dark red square stems. Attracts hummingbirds and.... bees!
Tellima grandiflora
Fringe Cups - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
The flowers change color as they are pollinated, from white to red to brown, a variation seen on single plants from top to bottom on the stems.
Vicia gigantea
Giant Vetch - 1
Flowers are rose to red-purple, and pea like. They hang in clusters from one side of long stems. Mounding vine with tendrils and smooth stems, 2 - 6 ft long.