The

iP.O. Box 577, Gualala, CA95445

$5.00 per year, non-members
Volume 2009 –Sept.—Oct. ‘09
CALYPSO
NEWSLETTER OF THE DOROTHY KING YOUNG CHAPTER
CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
Printed on recycled paper

DKY ANNUAL PLANT SALES

October 17, 9 a.m.—2 p.m., Gualala Community Center, Gualala
October 24, 9 a.m.—2 p.m., Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Fort Bragg

Now is the time to start planning your gardening for the coming year, and your DKY CNPS chapter is here to
help! We have a wonderful selection of plants for the Annual Plant Sales. The Chapter needs your help in getting
ready for the sales, though.

(1) Help make new informational signs: Our plan is to create new informational signs for each species and to
put them in nice new (and sturdy) holders. We will follow a standard template for the information, and would like to
have some good new photographs. Much of the information and many photographs will be available on the internet.
We want the information to be sufficient to help prospective buyers to decide whether this species will fit their needs;
and we‘d like the information to be engaging enough to excite prospective buyers about the opportunity to grow the
plant. Call or email Nancy Morin (882-2528, nancy.morin@nau.edu) if you are willing to help with this task.

(2) Make plant labels: We would like to have the individual plant labels all made in advance and placed in the
pots before we set up. Labels, pens or pencils, and a list with names of plants and how many of each label are
needed, will be provided. Call or email Mario Abreu ((964-4352, abreu@mcn.org) if you are willing to help with this
task.

(3) Set up, take down, or help during the day: Staffing the sale is a lot of fun—you get to meet old and new
friends and spend all day talking about plants. If you are willing to help, call or email Mary Hunter (875-1150,
dardmary@wildblue.net).

Benefits of Gardening with Native Plants (from the CNPS website)

Native vegetation evolved to live with the local climate, soil types, and animals. This long process brings us several
gardening advantages.

 Save Water: the fight against pests. Reducing or eliminating

Once established, many native plants need
minimal irrigation beyond normal rainfall.
 Low Maintenance:
Low maintenance landscaping methods are a
natural fit with native plants that are already
adapted to the local environment. Look forward
to using less water, little to no fertilizer, little to
no pesticides, less pruning, and less of your
time.
 Pesticide Freedom:
Native plants have developed their own
defenses against many pests and diseases.
Since most pesticides kill indiscriminately,
beneficial insects become secondary targets in
pesticide use lets natural pest control take over
and keeps garden toxins out of our creeks and
watersheds.
 Wildlife Viewing:
Native plants, birds, butterflies, beneficial
insects, and interesting critters are ―made for
each other.‖ Research shows that native wildlife
prefers native plants.
 Support Local Ecology:
As development replaces natural habitats,
planting gardens, parks, and roadsides with
California natives can provide a ―bridge‖ to
nearby remaining wildlands.
 What Gardeners Need to Know about Global Warming—National Wildlife Federation

The National Wildlife Federation published an What Gardeners can do

excellent pamphlet on global warming as it relates to
gardening in 2007. It is available to download at
http://www.nwf.org. Here is a summary:
 Plants are leafing out and blooming earlier
 Birds and butterflies are migrating and
breeding earlier
 Many wildlife species are shifting their ranges
northward and to higher elevations
 Important pollinators are under threat
 Harmful invasive species, pests, and
diseases are expanding
 Native and iconic species are threatened
 Reduce use of gas-powered tools
 Reduce threat of invasive species expansion
 Incorporate a diversity of native plants in your
landscape
 Get the right kind of mulch
 Compost kitchen and garden waste
 Ask local garden stores to stock native plants
 Ask elected officials to improve ―weed‖ laws
 Ask elected officials to support climate
change policy
 Raise awareness of climate change at local
meetings.



Garden Notes – Late Summer and Looking Good

by Lori Hubbart

Many native plants will survive on a low water regimen, yet look better
with some water. Others stay looking good with remarkably little water.
Here‘s how some of them did at my place, one mile from the ocean, in
late August. Mind you, this is with no water (other than fog drip) for at
least three months:
A low Manzanita, Arctostaphylos nummularia ‗Bear Belly‘, Baccharis
pilularis prostrate form, and Ceanothus gloriosus look good all summer
without water. Coast buckwheat, Eriogonum latifolium, and golden
yarrow, Eriophyllum staechadifolium, can hardly be described as green,
being more of the fuzzy gray persuasion, but they also looked good.
In part shade, the grass-like sedges, Carex species, yerba buena,
Satureja douglasii, and woodland strawberry, Fragaria vesca, were bright
green with irrigation every two weeks.
Seaside daisy, Erigeron glaucus, and the gum plant, Grindelia stricta,
looked fairly good, but would look lusher with a bit of water. The gum plants
growing next to low, spreading shrubs looked greener than those growing in
isolation.
It really can make a difference to plants if they have their roots shaded.
Massing plants and putting taller perennials in with spreading plants can help
all the plants to look their best. Mulch can help, as can watering early in the
morning or in the cool evening.
Well-established native shrubs can stay fresh-looking in summer even in
hotter inland areas if their roots are protected from the sun‘s heat. Well
placed boulders and garden art can also help. If growing natives in Both photos Grindelia stricta,
containers for the long term, it‘s best to use large, deep planters. With a deep Manchester, photos by N. Morin
root run for the plants, they will stay lush and healthy, and you need not water
every day.

2 September October ‗09

.
President’s Corner
by Lori Hubbart

August was a difficult month for me, but small gifts come to us in unexpected ways. One day I
got a call from a woman who wanted to grow phacelias to attract bumblebees. We talked about
Phacelia californica, a coast perennial with gray-green leaves and clusters of tiny flowers in either
white or lavender. We discussed Phacelia bolanderi, a perennial from woodland edges, having
larger, lavender-blue single flowers.
We also talked about bumblebees, and she told me this story. Her daughter,
who learned to talk when she was not yet two, had something to say about
bumblebees. Her mother found her with two bumblebees cradled in a carefully
closed, tiny hand.
When her mom expressed concern that the bees might sting, the little girl said,
―They won‘t sting because they‘re tired bumblebees.‖ Sure enough, when she
opened her hand, the two bees crawled out very slowly.
Years later, that mother read Bumblebee Economics by Bernd Heinrich, who has
written so beautifully about ravens. She learned that bumblebees can indeed
become tired if they have expended too much energy and had too little to eat. The
worker bees also die off in autumn, and while in decline they certainly appear to be
tired. The child had observed bumblebee behavior and knew that they sometimes
get tired.
Wasn‘t that story a wonderful gift? So my message to you is this: Cherish life‘s
small joys; read Bumblebee Economics; plant some phacelias.

Phacelia distans, photo by

Conservation Notes Cristopher Christie
Help protect the Gualala River – The health of the Gualala River is very much
imperiled by continuing vineyard development. (In these economic conditions, yet!) Water impoundment, ground
water depletion, removal of native vegetation and pesticide contamination are some of the major threats. Please
visit the website of Friends of the Gualala River to learn how you can help: http://www.gualalariver.org/
Donate, become a volunteer, spread the word, attend a concert. Do it for the riparian habitat made up of native
plants, and for the rich community of fish, amphibians, birds and invertebrates supported by that habitat.
Coastal Commission – At the state level, there is good news: Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles)
has appointed two new people to the California Coastal Commission. They are Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark
Stone and Oceanside City Councilmember Esther Sanchez. Both have received high marks from citizens‘ groups for
taking into account scientific evidence and a broad scope when making environment-related decisions. We hope
they will be active, thoughtful and informed Commissioners. It will be up to us to keep them up to date on coastal
issues and work with them to see that the Coastal Act is upheld.

State CNPS News

Fremontia change – Bart O‘Brien, of Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, has stepped down as editor of
Fremontia. Bart has put his own stamp on the CNPS quarterly – that of a lively, enquiring mind! As in any well-run
organization, the transition is being handled smoothly. The new editor will be Bob Hass of the Milo Baker Chapter,
our neighbors to the south. Bob has edited the CNPS State Bulletin and worked on the Fremontia team for several
years. Those of us who have been lucky enough to work with Bob are in awe of his editing skills.
Many thanks to Bart for his excellent work, and congratulations to Bob!
Outreach at the state level – CNPS is trying out Facebook, a ―social networking site. Will it have a positive
effect? negative? or mixed? There has also been heavy discussion via email of our Mission Statement. Should it
stay the same? Do we need something shorter and snappier? Should it be longer and more explicatory? One
thing was agreed on by all: We shouldn‘t get too bogged down in details when there is important conservation,
education and outreach work to be done.

3 September October ‗09

Farewell to Chris Woods. Upcoming Events
September 5, 9 a.m. Audubon Society Bird Walk,
Chapter members were Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
saddened to learn that Chris
Woods, Executive Director at September 12, 9 a.m., Audubon Society Field Trip,
the Mendocino Coast Botanical Virgin Creek Beach. Meet at Pudding Creek overlook,
Gardens since January, 2008, just north of Pudding Creek Bridge.
was leaving the Mendocino September 15, 7:30 p.m. Milo Baker Chapter program,
Coast to pursue other interests. Liz Parsons, chapter V.P., will speak on ―Natives in the
The DKY Chapter is Garden.‖ 833-2063.
concerned primarily with native
plants and their conservation September 16, 8 a.m. Audubon Society Bird Walk,
along the coast from Westport to The Sea Ranch and Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
inland to the Anderson Valley. The Mendocino Coast September 19, 9 a.m. Audubon Society Beach
Botanical Gardens is centrally located and centrally Cleanup. Meet at south end of Ten Mile Bridge.
important to the chapter and to the plants of our area.
While he was Executive Director at MCBG, Chris September 19, 10 am to 4 pm. North Coast Chapter
supported restoration on site and regionally. He Fall Plant Sale, Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary
encouraged continued restoration of the Bishop Pine Interpretive Center.
forest (a poorly understood and endangered plant September 19, 9:30—11:30 am. Biological Pest
community), establishment of a Conservation Task Control for the Home Gardener. Master Gardener
Force for MCBG, assessment and restoration of the Series, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
coastal bluff and coastal grassland plant communities,
and removal of invasive plants from the Gardens September 19, 9 am.—noon. 25th Annual California
grounds. He helped develop close relationships with Coastal Cleanup Day. jhall@mendocinolandtrust.org,
local entities that resulted in use of Gardens facilities 962-0470.
and staff and volunteer expertise to provide plant September 20, 10 a.m.—noon. Wildcrafting Food and
material of local origin for restoration in areas outside Medicine—Summer Harvest. Master Gardener series,
the MCBG grounds. He also brought attention to plants Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
in the MCBG collections that are rare in their native
habitats. September 26 & 27, 9 am—5 pm. Fall Plant Sale,
The Chapter was glad to have its relationship with Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden.
the Gardens strengthened, applauded the increased September 26, 1—3 p.m. Seed Saving for Beginners.
collaboration with College of the Redwoods, and was Master Gardener series, Mendocino Coast Botanical
delighted to see education programs developed to Gardens.
increase the understanding and appreciation of plants.
We wish Chris well September 29, 30, October 1. 9th Biennial State of the
wherever his travels Estuary Conference. Downtown Oakland Marriott.
may take him and hope http://sfep.abag.ca.gov/soe.
that he will continue to October 3, 9 a.m. Audubon Society Bird Walk.
advocate for plants, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
whatever else he does.
It is vitally important for October 10, 7 a.m. Milo Baker Chapter annual plant
the Mendocino Coast sale, Veterans Auditorium, Santa Rosa.
Botanical Gardens to October 10, 8 a.m. Audubon Society Field Trip, Glass
continue to treasure its Beach. Meet at west end of Elm Street, Fort Bragg.
native plants and plant
communities, provide October 17, 9 a.m.—2 p.m. DKY Chapter Plant Sale,
leadership in plant Gualala Community Center.
conservation in the
October 21, 8 a.m. Audubon Society Bird Walk.
region, and contribute to
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
global efforts on behalf
Castilleja mendocinensis, one of of the plants of the October 24, 9 a.m.—2 p.m. DKY Chapter Plant Sale,
the rare plants at MCBG. Photo world. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
by M. Abreu.
4 September October ‗09
 Reports from the Field--by Nancy Morin
Many plants are still blooming along the Mendocino coast. Elegant orchid and California horkelia were on Miners
Hole Road; ladies‘ tresses were on the marshy end of Coventry Lane, Manchester, on August 27, 2009.
2. Spiranthes romanzoffiana, 3. Piperia elegans, elegant orchid
1. Horkelia californica, ladies‘ tresses
California horkelia

Baccharis pilularis, coyotebrush, is also coming into bloom. This plant is one of the most widespread shrubs along
the coast. Many species of invertebrate live on it, and these attract birds. It is deer-resistant and fire-resistant. Our
prostrate coastal variety forms tidy mounds. It will be available at the Plant Sales.

Coyotebrush is a member of the Sunflower family,

Asteraceae, so what appear to be single flowers are
clusters of many flowers called heads. In this case
male and female flower heads are on separate plants.
The female flowers have white stigmas exserted
(photo on far left); the male flower heads look more
like clusters of flowers, with only the anthers exserted.


Transitions
We regret to report that three chapter members have relocated to other parts of the state. Roz Bray, a weed
warrior who coordinated regular pampas grass bashes on The Sea Ranch, has returned to the San Francisco
Peninsula. Elaine Mahaffey, stellar field trip leader and
author/illustrator of Wildflowers of The Sea Ranch, has moved to the
coastal belt of Humboldt County, where she will be able to spend
more time with her daughter‘s family.
Peter Warner, that consummate California plantsman and
ecologist, has moved back to Sonoma County and is currently
residing in Sebastopol. These folks have all moved to areas with
outstanding CNPS Chapters, so we hope they will continue to stay
involved. Mimulus moschatus, Manchester, photo N. Morin
5 September October ‗09
DKY Lighthouse Day a Success
Thanks to the DKY Chapter members who met at the
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse in the morning and the Point
Arena Lighthouse in the afternoon on August 8 to
remove weeds. Mario Abreu and Art Morley hauled out
7 32-gallon bags of Cape ivy from the gulch north of the
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse.
Mario, Nancy Morin, Lori Hubbart, and Mary Hunter
spent a wonderful, clear afternoon gathering bags 22
32-gallon bags of iceplant from the bluff west of the
Point Arena Lighthouse.

It was encouraging to see how little new iceplant had

grown at Point Arena—the team was able to focus on
areas not weeded last year. Bright orange Cuscuta
salina, dodder, some of it in flower, festooned the low
shrubs and may have been helping keep the iceplant in
check

Left, cliff cleared of Cape ivy at Point Cabrillo; top, Mary

Hunter and Lori Hubbart pulling iceplant at Point Arena;
above, Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. Photos by M. Abreu.

DKY 2009 ANNUAL PLANT SALE LIST

Trees Bulbs
Abies grandis grand fir Brodiaea elegans harvest brodiaea
Pseudotsuga douglasii Douglas-fir Brodiaea pallida
Sequoia sempervirens coast redwood Brodiaea purdyi
Tsuga heterophylla western hemlock Calochortus uniflorus
Ferns Dichelostemma ida-maia firecracker
Blechnum spicant deer fern brodiaea
Polystichum munitum sword fern Triteleia hyacinthina white triteleia
Woodwardia fimbriata giant chain fern Triteleia laxa Ithuriel‘s spear
Zigadenus fremontii star lily
(continued on p. 7)

6 September October ‗09

 DKY 2009 ANNUAL PLANT SALE LIST
Shrubs
Arctostaphylos nummularia Ft. Bragg Manzanita
Arctostaphylos Emerald Carpet
Manzanita
Arctostaphylos ‗Sentinel‘ Sentinel Manzanita
Baccharis pilularis coyote bush—
local low forms
Carpenteria californica ‗Elizabeth‘ tree
anemone
Ceanothus Blue Jeans‘ blue
blossom
Ceanothus gloriosus Anchor Bay glory
brush
Ceanothus thrysiflorus blue blossom
Ceanothus x Centennial
Cornus sericea ssp. occidentalis American dogwood
Corylus cornuta Western hazelnut
Eriophyllum staechadifolium seaside woolly
sunflower
Garrya elliptica silk tassel bush
Gaulthera shallon salal
Heteromeles arbutiflora toyon
Lonicera involucrata twin berry
Myrica californica wax myrtle
Rubus spectabilis salmon berry
Rhamnus californica California coffeeberry
Ribes sanguineum sticky red flowering
var. glutinosum currant
Ribes viburnifolium evergreen currant
Rosa nutkana nootka rose
Salvia leucophylla Figuroa‘ purple sage
Vaccinium ovatum California huckleberry
Perennials
Angelica hendersonii coast angelica
Aguilegia formosa Western red columbine
Arabis blepharophylla coast rock cress
Armeria maritima sea pink
Artemisia californica ‘Montara California sagebrush
Calamagrostis foliosa leafy reed grass
Carex species sedges
Deschampsia caespitosa tufted hairgrass
Dudleya farinosa bluff live forever
Epilobium canum ‗Catalina‘ California fuchsia
Epilobium ‗Select Mattole‖ California fuchsia
Erigeron x glaucus ‗Sea Breeze‘ seaside daisy
Eriogonum fasciculatum California buckwheat
Eriogonum latifolium coast buckwheat (
local & red)
7 September October ‗09
Eriophyllum lanatum woolly sunflower
Erysimum menziesii ssp. concinnum coast wallflower
Eschscholzia californica coast Calif. poppy
local forms
Festuca idahoensis blue bunch grass
‗Tomales Bay‘
Festuca rubra ‘Jughandle’ red fescue
Frageria vesca woodland strawberry
Grindelia stricta gum plant
Helenium bolanderi Bolander‘s sneeze
weed
Heuchera micrantha alum root
H. micrantha ‗Martha Roderick‘ pink coral bells
Iris douglasiana Douglas‘ Iris
Lewisia cotyledon Lewisia
Lonicera ciliosa western trumpet
honeysuckle
Lupinus littoralis Bluff lupine
Madia madioides woodland madia
Mimulus aurantiacus – local sticky monkey
flower
Mimulus cardinalis streamside monkey
flower
Mimulus guttatus common monkey
flower
Monardella villosa coyote-mint
Penstemon heterophyllus ‗Margarita‘ foothill
penstemon
Petasites palmatus Western coltsfoot
Phacelia bolanderi Bolander‘s phacelia
Phacelia californica California phacelia
Romneya coulteri Matilija poppy
Salvia sonomensis Sonoma sage–
cream flowers
Salvia sonomensis. Sonoma sage
lavender-blue fls
Salvia spathacea pitcher sage
Satureja douglasii yerba buena
Scutellaria californica white skullcap
Sedum spathulifolium Pacific stonecrop
Sedum s. purpureum
Sidalcea malviiflora checker mallow
Sisyrinchium bellum blue eyed &
white-eyed grass
Sisyrinchium californicum yellow eyed grass
Streptopus amplexifolius twisted stalk
Tellima grandiflora fringe cups
Tolmiea menziesii piggyback plant
Viola adunca western dog violet
 Dorothy King Young Chapter
CNPS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
OFFICERS 2009 DOROTHY KING YOUNG CHAPTER
President: Lori Hubbart882-1655 fax 882-1645 Membership in the California Native Plant Society is open to all.
Vice President: Mario Abreu 937-3155, The task and mission of the Society is to increase awareness,
abreu@mcn.org understanding, and appreciation of California native plants. The
Secretary: Nancy Morin 882-2528 , challenge is to preserve their natural habitat through scientific,
nancy.morin@nau.edu educational, and conservation activities. Membership includes
Treasurer: Mary Hunter 785-1150, subscription to the quarterly Fremontia, as well as our local
dardmary@wildblue.net chapter newsletter, the Calypso.
Name_____________________________________
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Address___________________________________
CAMPING Diane Wickstrom 884-4556 City _______________________ Zip ___________
CONSERVATION Lori Hubbart 882-1655 Tel. ___________ E-mail_____________________
EDUCATION OPEN
FIELD TRIPS Mario Abreu & I wish to affiliate with the DKY Chapter___________
Nancy Morin(temp) or, other chapter ____________________________
HISTORIAN Ramona Crooks 884-3585 (Please check, or name a chapter; CNPS will make
HOSPITALITY: North Coast - OPEN assignment if none is specified by applicant.)
South Coast Roberta Rams 884-4847 MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY
INVASIVE PLANTS Mario Abreu Student/Retired/Limited Income $25
JUBATA ERADICATION Individual $45
MAILINGS Roberta Rams 884-4847 Family/Group/Library $75
MEMBERSHIP Bob Rutemoeller 884-4426 Plant Lover $100
NEWSLETTER Nancy Morin(temp) 882-2528 Patron $300
PLANT SALE Mario Abreu 937-3155 Benefactor $600
POSTERS Lynn Tuft 785-3392 Mariposa Lily $1,500
PROGRAMS Lori Hubbart (pro tem) Make check out to the California Native Plant Society;
RARE & ENDANGERED: mail check and application to:
Coordinator Teresa Sholars 962-2686 Bob Rutemoeller, Membership Committee
Inland Clare Wheeler-Sias 895-3131 DKY Chapter, CNPS PO Box 577
South Coast Mary Rhyne 884-3043 Gualala, CA 95445
VEGETATION Rhiannon Korhummel
WEBMASTER Norm Jensen:webmaster@dkycnps.org
All phone numbers area code: 707 Calypso notes
CHAPTER WEBPAGE: www.dkycnps.org. Send in photos Do you want to see the Calypso photos in color?
and articles to Norm Jensen. You can by viewing them at the www.dkycnps.org
website. Or you can request an emailed copy as an
NEXT BOARD MEETING: The next Board is meeting is attached pdf file. Just contact DKY membership: Bob
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 10:00 a.m. at the Coast Rutemoeller at 707/884-4426, or by email at:
Community Library brutem@mcn.org.
MEMBERSHIP: Renewal - your renewal date is listed on the A few members are helping us save paper, trees,
address label of your CNPS Bulletin. Give a friend or and postage by switching to the email copy of the
neighbor a gift membership! If you have any question, please Calypso. It will be sent to your email address when the
contact Bob Rutemoeller at 884-4426 or brutem@mcn.org. regular issue is mailed. Contact Bob, above.
Non profit postage and annual permit fees have
CALYPSO Items: Send newsletter items to Nancy Morin @
nancy.morin@nau.edu, 882-2528.
been steadily increasing. Your chapter has decided to
switch over to mailing the Calypso as first class mail to
give you better service and save a few dollars.
.

8 September October ‗09