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Santa Clara Valley Chapter

Sierra Azul Preserve
Woods Trail

Santa Clara County, California


Partial plant list along Woods Trail from Hicks Road to 1.3 miles past Guadalupe Creek, Santa Clara County. Compiled by Olive Zappacosta and Sally Casey March 5, 15, 27, April 14, May 18, 23, 26, June 10, 23, July 11, Sept. 12 and Oct. 10 1996, with periodic additions through August 6, 2001.

Plant names have been changed to conform to The Jepson Manual (1993), with former plant names in ( ) parentheses.

A   = Alien or introduced species, i.e., non-native plant.



 

FERNS & FERN ALLIES


BLECHNACEAE - Deer Fern Family 
Woodwardia fimbriata  Giant Chain Fern 

DENNSTAEDTIACEAE - Bracken Fern Family 
Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens  Bracken Fern 

DRYOPTERIDACEAE - Wood Fern Family
Dryopteris arguta Coastal Wood Fern
Polystichum munitum Common Sword Fern

EQUISETACEAE - Horsetail Family
Equistum arvense Common Horsetail

POLYPODIACEAE - Polypody Fern Family 
Polypodium californicum  California Polypody 

PTERIDACEAE - Brake Fern Family 
Adiantum jordanii  California Maiden Hair 
Pellaea andromedifolia  Coffee Fern 
Pentagramma triangularis (Pityrogramma triangularis)  Goldback Fern 



 

GYMNOSPERMS--Cone Bearing Plants


CUPRESSACEAE - Cypress Family 
Cupressus sp. 

PINACEAE - Pine Family 
Pinus sabiniana  Grey or Foothill Pine 
Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir

TAXACEAE - Yew Family
Torreya californica California Nutmeg 



 

ANGIOSPERMS--Flowering Plants


ACERACEAE - Maple Family
Acer macrophyllum Big-leaved Maple

ANACARDIACEAE - Sumac Family
Toxicodendron diversilobum Poison Oak

APIACEAE - Carrot Family
Anthriscus caucalis (A. scandicina) Bur-chervil
Daucus pusillus Rattlesnake Weed
Eryngium aristulatum Ground Eryngo, Coyote Thistle
Foeniculum vulgare Fennel
Lomatium californicum California Lomatium
Osmorhiza chilensis Wood Cicely
Perideridia kelloggii Kellogg's Yampah
Sanicula bipinnatifida Purple Sanicle
Sanicula crassicaulis Pacific Sanicle
Tauschia kelloggii Kellogg's Tauschia
Torilis arvensis Torilis
Torilis nodosa Knotted Hedge Parsley
Yabea microcarpa (Caucalis microcarpa) California Hedge Parsley

APOCYNACAE - Dogbane Family
Vinca major Periwinkle

ARALIACEAE - Aralia or Ginseng Family
Aralia californica California Spikenard, Elk Clover

ASCLEPIDACEAE - Milkweed Family
Asclepias fascicularis Narrow-leaf Milkweed

ASTERACEAE - Sunflower Family
Achillea millefolium (A. borealis ssp. californica) Common Yarrow or Milfoil
Achyrachaena mollis Blow Wives
Agoseris grandiflora California Dandelion
Arnica discoidea Rayless Arnica
Artemisia californica California Sagebrush
Artemisia douglasiana California Mugwort
Aster radulinus Broad-leaved Aster
Baccharis pilularis (B. pilularis ssp. consanguinea) Coyote Brush
Carduus pycnocephalus Italian Thistle
Chamomilla suaveolens (Matricaria matricarioides) Pineapple Weed
Cirsium occidentale var. venustum (Cirsium proteanum) Venus Thistle
Circium vulgare Common or Bull Thistle
Conyza bonariensis South American Conyza 
Crepis bursifolia Italian Hawksbeard
Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawksbeard
Eriophyllum confertiflorum Golden Yarrow
Filago gallica Narrow-leaved Filago
Gnaphalium californicum California Cudweed 
Grindelia camporum var. camporum Gum Weed
Hemizonia congesta ssp. luzulifolia (H. luzulifolia) Hayfield Tarweed
Hesperevax sparsiflora (Evax sparsiflora) Erect Evax
Hieracium albiflorum White-flowered Hawkweed
Holocarpha virgata ssp. virgata Graceful Tarweed
Lactuca saligna Willow Lettuce 
Lactuca virosa Wild Lettuce 
Lasthenia californica (L. chrysostoma) Common Gold Fields
Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata (L. ramulosa var. glabrata) Smooth Lessingia 
Madia gracilis Slender Tarweed
Madia madioides Woodland Madia
Madia minima Small Madia
Madia sativa Common Tarweed, Coast Tarweed
Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus Dwarf Woolly-heads
Psilocarphus tenellus Slender Woolly-heads
Senecio vulgaris Common Groundsel
Silybum marianum Milk Thistle
Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow Thistle
Stephanomeria virgata Tall Stephanomeria
Taraxacum officinale (T. laevigatum) Common Dandelion
Wyethia glabra Grey Mule Ears

BERBERIDACEAE - Barberry Family
Berberis aquifolium (Mahonia aquifolium) Holly-leaved Berberis

BETULACEAE - Birch Family
Alnus rhombifolia White Alder

BORAGINACEAE - Borage Family
Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia (A. intermedia)  Common Fiddleneck
Cryptantha flaccida Flaccid Cryptantha
Cynoglossum grande Hound's Tongue

BRASSICACEAE - Mustard Family
Brassica nigra Black Mustard
Cardamine californica (Dentaria californica) Milkmaids
Cardamine oligosperma Bitter Cress
Lepidium strictum Wayside Pepper Grass
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum Water Cress 
Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard
Thysanocarpus laciniatus Fringe Pod 

CAPRIFOLIACEAE - Honeysuckle Family
Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans (Lonicera hispidula)  Hairy Honeysuckle
Sambucus mexicana Blue Elderberry
Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus (S. rivularis) Common Snowberry
Symphoricarpos mollis Creeping Snowberry 

CARYOPHYLLACEAE - Pink Family
Cerastium glomeratum (C. viscosum) Mouse-ear Chickweed
Minuarta douglasii (Arenaria douglasii) Douglas Sandwort
Silene californica California Indian Pink
Silene gallica Windmill Pink
Spergularia rubra Purple Sand Spurry
Stellaria media Common Chickweed
Stellaria nitens Shiny Chickweed

CISTACEAE - Rock-Rose Family
Helianthemum scoparium Peak Rock-Rose

CONVOLVULACEAE - Morning-Glory Family
Calystegia purpurata ssp. purpurata (C. occidentalis ssp. o.) Chaparral Morning-Glory
Calystegia subacaulis Hill Morning-Glory
Convolvulus arvensis Bind Weed, Orchard Morning-Glory 

CORNACEAE - Dogwood Family 
Cornus sp. 

CRASSULACEAE - Stonecrop Family
Dudleya cymosa ssp. cymosa Lax or Spreading Dudleya
Sedum radiatum (S. stenopetalum ssp. radiatum) Star-fruited Stonecrop
Sedum spathulifolium Pacific Stonecrop

CUCUBITACEAE - Gourd Family
Marah fabaceus Wild Cucumber, California Manroot 

CUSCUTACEAE - Dodder Family
Cuscuta subinclusa Canyon Dodder. Parasitic on Baccharis 

CYPERACEAE - Sedge Family 
Carex sp. 
Cyperus eragrostis Tall Cyperus 

ERICACEAE - Heath Family
Arbutus menziesii Pacific Madrone
Arctostaphylos canescens Hoary Manzanita
Arctostaphylos glauca Big-berried Manzanita 

EUPHORBIACEAE - Spurge Family
Eremocarpus setigerus Turkey Mullein, Dove Weed
Euphorbia peplus Petty Spurge

FABACEAE - Pea Family
Genista monspessulana (Cytisus monspessulanus) French Broom
Lathyrus vestitus var. vestitus (L. vestitus ssp. puberulus) Hillside Pea
Lupinus bicolor Dove Lupine, Miniature Lupine
Lupinus latifolius var. latifolius Broad-leaved Lupine
Lotus humistratus Short-podded Trefoil
Lotus micranthus Small-flowered Trefoil
Lotus purshianus Spainish Lotus
Lotus scoparius California Broom. Deerweed
Lotus wrangelianus (L. subpinnatus) Chile Trefoil
Medicago minima Bur Clover
Medicago polymorpha California Bur Clover
Medicago sativa Alfalfa
Pickeringia montana var. montana Chaparral Pea
Rupertia physodes (Psoralea physodes) California Tea
Spartium junceum Spanish Broom
Trifolium albopurpureum var. dichotomum Branched Indian Clover
Trifolium bifidum var. decipiens Deceptive Clover
Trifolium hirtum Pink Clover
Trifolium incarnatum Crimson, French, or Italian Clover
Trifolium microcephalum Small-headed Clover
Trifolium willdenovii (Trifolium tridentatum) Tomcat Clover
Vicia sativa ssp. sativa Common Vetch, Spring Vetch

FAGACEAE - Oak Family
Lithocarpus densiflorus Tan Bark Oak
Quercus agrifolia Coast Live Oak
Quercus berberidifolia (Q. dumosa) Scrub Oak
Quercus chrysolepis Maul Oak, Canyon Live Oak
Quercus douglasii Blue Oak 
Quercus durata Leather Oak 
Quercus lobata Valley Oak
Quercus parvula var. shrevei Oracle Oak
Quercus wislizeni var. frutescens Interior Live Oak 

GARRYACEAE - Silk Tassel Family
Garrya fremontii Fremont's Silk Tassel

GERANIACEAE - Geranium Family
Erodium botrys Long-beaked Storksbill
Erodium cicutarium Red Stem Storksbill
Erodium moschatum White Stem Storksbill
Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Geranium
Geranium molle Dove's-foot Geranium

GROSSULARIACEAE - Gooseberry Family
Ribes californicum (Grossularia californica) California Gooseberry
Ribes malvaceum Chaparral or California Black Current

HIPPOCASTANACEAE - Horse Chestnut or Buckeye Family
Aesculus californica California Buckeye 

HYDROPHYLLACEAE - Waterleaf or Phacelia Family
Eriodictyon californicum Yerba Santa
Nemophila heterophylla Canyon Nemophila
Nemophila menziesii Baby Blue Eye
Nemophila menziesii ssp. atomaria A subspecies of Baby Blue Eye
Nemophila parviflora Woodland or Small-flowered Nemophila
Phacelia imbricata Rock Phacelia, Imbricate Phacelia 

IRIDACEAE - Iris Family
Iris fernaldi Fernald's Iris
Sisyrinchium bellum Blue-eyed Grass 

JUNCACEAE - Rush Family
Juncus bufonius Toad Rush
Juncus patens Spreading or Common Rush
Luzula comosa (L. multiflora) Common Wood Rush 

LAMIACEAE - Mint Family
Lamium amplexicaule Clasping Henbit
Lepechinia calycina Pitcher Sage
Monardella villosa ssp. villosa Coyote Mint
Pogogyne serphylloides Thyme-leaved Pogogyne
Satureja douglasii Yerba Buena
Stachys ajugoides var. rigida (S. rigida ssp. quercetorum) Rigid Hedge Nettle 
Trichostema lanceolatum Vinegar Weed 

LAURACEAE - Laurel Family
Umbellularia californica California Bay or Laurel 

LILIACEAE - Lily Family
Allium serra (Allium serratum) (AMARYLLIDACEAE)  Pom Pom Onion
Brodiaea elegans ssp. elegans Harvest Brodiaea
Calochortus albus Globe Lily
Calochortus luteus Yellow Mariposa Lily
Calochortus venustus White Mariposa Lily
Chlorogalum pomeridianum Soap Plant
Dichelostemma capitatum (D. pulchellum) (AMARYLLIDACEAE) Blue Dicks
Disporum hookeri Hooker's Fairy Bell
Fritillaria affinis (F. lanceolata) Mission Bell
Smilacina racemosa False or Western Soloman's Seal
Zygadenus fremontii Fremont's Star Lily 

MALVACEAE - Mallow Family
Sidalcea malviflora ssp. malviflora Checker Bloom or Wild Hollyhock 

MYRTACEAE - Myrtle Family
Eucalyptus globulus Blue Gum

ONAGRACEAE - Evening Primrose Family
Clarkia concinna ssp. automixa Santa Clara Red Ribbons
Clarkia concinna ssp. concinna Red Ribbons or Lovely Clarkia
Clarkia epilobioides Willow Herb Godetia
Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera Four-spotted Godetia
Clarkia rubicunda Farewell-to-Spring
Clarkia unguiculata Elegant Clarkia
Epilobium canum (Zauschneria californica) California Fuschia
Epilobium ciliatum ssp. ciliatum (E. adenocaulon) California Willow Herb 

ORCHIDACEAE - Orchid Family
Epipactis helleborine European Epipactis
Piperia elegans (Habenaria unalascensis var. elata) Elegant Piperia
Piperia unalascensis (Habenaria unalascensis) Alaska Piperia 

0XALIDACEAE - Oxalis Family
Oxalis pes-caprae Bermuda Buttercup 

PLANTAGINACEAE - Plantain Family
Plantago erecta California Plantain
Plantago lanceolata English Plantain 

POACEAE - Grass Family (grasses identified by Sally Casey)
Aira caryophyllea Silver European Hairgrass
Avena barbata Slender Wild Oat 
Brachypodium distachyon Purple False Brome
Briza minor Little Quaking Grass 
Bromus carinatus California Brome
Bromus diandrus Rip Gut 
Bromus hordeaceus (B. mollis) Soft Chess 
Bromus laevipes Woodland Brome Grass
Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens (B. rubens) Foxtail Chess 
Cynosurus echinatus Hedgehog Dogtail Grass
Deschampsia elongata Slender Hairgrass
Elymus glaucus Western Rye Grass
Elymus multisetus (Sitanion hansenii) Big Squirreltail
Festuca californica California Fescue
Gastridium ventricosum Nit Grass 
Hordeum marinum ssp. gussoneaum (H. geniculatum) Mediterranean Barley
Koeleria macrantha June Grass
Melica californica Western Melica
Melica imperfecta Small-flowered Melica
Melica torreyana Torrey's Melic
Nassella pulchra (Stipa pulchra) Purple Needlegrass
Poa annua Annual Blue Grass
Polypogon monspeliensis Rabbit Foot Grass, Annual Beard Grass 
Trisetum canescens Tall Trisetum
Trisetum cernuum Nodding Triestum
Vulpia bromoides (Festiva dertonensis) Six-weeks Fescue

POLEMONIACEAE - Phlox Family
Collomia heterophylla Varied-leaved Collomia
Gilia achilleifolia California Gilia
Gilia achilleifolia ssp. multicaulis ssp. of California Gilia
Linanthus androsaceus Common Linanthus
Linanthus bicolor Bicolored Linanthus
Linanthus parviflorus Small-flowered Linanthus
Navarretia squarrosa Skunkweed
Phlox gracilis (Microsteris gracilis) Slender Phlox 

POLYGALACEAE - Milkwort Family
Polygala californica California Milkwort 

POLYGONACEAE - Buckwheat Family
Eriogonum nudum Naked-stemmed Eriognum
Polygonum arenastrum (P. aviculare) Common Knotweed or Doorweed
Pterostegia drymarioides California Thread Stem
Rumex acetosella Sheep Sorral
Rumex conglomeratus Green Dock
Rumex crispus Curly Dock
Rumex pulcher Fiddle Dock
Rumex salicifolius var. transitorius (R. transitorius) Willow Dock 

PORTULACACEAE - Purslane Family
Calandrinia ciliata Red Maids
Claytonia exigua ssp. exigua (Montia spathulata) Common Montia
Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata (Montia perfoliata)  Miner's Lettuce 

PRIMULACEAE - Primrose Family
Dodecatheon clevelandii var. sanctarum Padre's Shooting Star 
Trientalis latifolia Pacific Star Flower 

RANUNCULACEAE - Buttercup or Crowfoot Family
Aquilegia formosa Northwest Crimson Columbine
Clematis lasiantha Virgin's Bower
Delphinium patens Coast Larkspur
Ranunculus californicus California Buttercup
Ranunculus hebecarpus Pubescent-fruited Buttercup
Thalictrum fendleri var. fendleri Meadow Rue 

RHAMNACEAE - Buckthorn Family 
Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus Common Buckthorn
Ceanothus leucodermis Chaparral Whitethorn
Ceanothus oliganthus var. sorediatus Jim Bush
Ceanothus papillosus var. papillosus Warty-leaf Ceanothus
Rhamnus californica Coffee Berry 
Rhamnus crocea Red Berry 
Rhamnus illicifolia (R. crocea ssp. illicifolia) Holly-leaved Buckthorn 

ROSACEAE - Rose Family
Adenostoma fasciculatum Chamise
Amelanchier utahensis (A. pallida)  Utah Service Berry
Aphanes occidentalis (Alchemilla occidentalis) Western Lady's Mantle
Cercocarpus betuloides Mountain Mahogany
Cotoneaster pannosa Cotoneaster 
Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon
Holodiscus discolor Ocean Spray
Oemleria cerasiformis (Osmaronia cerasiformis) Oso Berry
Potentilla glandulosa Sticky Cinquefoil
Prunus ilicifolia Holly-leaved Cherry
Rosa gymnocarpa Wood Rose
Rosa spithamea Ground Rose
Rubus ursinus California Blackberry 

RUBIACEAE - Madder Family
Galium aparine Goose Grass
Galium porrigens var. porrigens (Galium nuttallii) Climbing Bedstraw
Galium parisiense Wall Bedstraw 
Sherardia arvense Field Madder 

SALICACEAE - Willow Family
Populus fremontii ssp. fremontii Fremont Cottonwood
Populus nigra Lombardy Poplar
Salix lasiolepis Arroyo Willow

SAXIFRAGACEAE - Saxifrage Family
Heuchera micrantha Small-flowered Heuchera
Lithophragma affine Woodland Star
Lithophragma heterophyllum Hill Star
Saxifraga californica California Saxifrage

SCROPHULARIACEAE - Figwort Family
Castilleja affinis Coast Paint Brush
Castilleja densiflora Owl's Clover
Castilleja subinclusa ssp. franciscana Franciscan Paint Brush
Collinsia heterophylla Chinese Houses
Collinsia sparsiflora var. collina Variety of Few-flowered Blue-eyed Mary
Cordylanthus sp. Bird's Beak
Mimulus aurantiacus Sticky Monkey Flower
Mimulus cardinalis Scarlet Monkey Flower
Pedicularis densiflora Indian Warrior
Scrophularia californica Bee Plant
Tonella tenella Small-flowered Tonella
Triphysaria pusilla (Orthocarpus pusillus) Dwarf Orthocarpus

SOLANACEAE - Nightshade Family
Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade
Solanum umbelliferum Blue Witch

URTICACEAE - Nettle Family
Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis American Stinging Nettle

VALERIANACEAE - Valerian Family
Plectritis brachystemon Plectritis

VIOLACEAE - Violet Family
Viola ocellata Western Heart's Ease
Viola pedunculata Johnny Jump-up

© Olive Zappacosta, 176 Kensington Way, Los Gatos, CA. 95032 (408-356-9537). With many thanks to Kikue Sugai for data entry.
Revised August 6, 2001.


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