CROSSOSOMA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BOTANISTS Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont, CA 91711 Crossosoma Vol. 6 M>/ 1L February 1980 Editor: M. Chesebro Seventh Annual Fungus Foray This foray in the Santa Monica Mts. will be on Saturday, February 23, 1980. See the Field Trip sec¬ tion of this issue for details. CROSSOSOMATACEAE Since our Journal is named for one genus of this family, it seems appropriate, at least for our newer members, to summarize current information. The Crossosamataceae now include three genera, Crossossoma , Apacherla and Forsellesia . The genus Crossosoma has two species. C. californica , which is found on Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands off the coast of southern California and Guadalupe Island off Baja California. On December 5, 1977 one of our members, James Henrickson, found two shrubs of this species, 6' to 10' high, on Palos Verdes Peninsula on the Los Angeles County coast. They were at an elevation of 620 feet on the margin of an escarpment in Coastal Sage Scrub. Interestingly, this peninsula was once an island and is about 20 miles from Santa Catalina Island. C. blgelovii , the other species of this genus, ranges from western Nevada through the western Colorado desert in to Arizona and Baja California. On Catalina Island, C. californica is a gray-green shrub with white flowers. It is called there Catalina Wild-Apple. It has been seen on our field trips to that Island. C. blgelovii was seen on our trip to Deep Canyon, near Palm Desert in Riverside County and can also be seen in Whitewater and Morongo Canyons in San Bernardino County. The genus Apacheria was described in 1975 from the Chiricanua Mts. of southeastern Arizona, and was observ¬ ed on our field trip there in September 1977. A drawing of Apacheria appears in the fall 1977 issue of Cross- osoma, together with an account of this field trip. It is 8 to 1-0 inches in height and grows on steep cliffs. Recently the third genus, Forsellesla , hitherto included in the Ceiastraceae, was discovered by the Rancho Santa Ana Garden botanists to belong to "our" family and has been duly transferred to the Crossoma- taceae. Three papers bearing upon this genus and the Crossosomataceae appear in the 1978 number of Aliso. SCB observed this genus on our field trip to the New York Mountains in San Bernardino County. Many botanical names have been used for titles of publications: Fremontia, Madrono, Castanea, Rhodcra, Aliso and many others. The name Crcssosoma was chosen because this genus is rather characteristic of southern California. SEVENTH ANNUAL FUNGUS FORAY On Saturday, February 23. 1980, Dr. Martin F. Stoner of California State Polytechnic University will lead the foray in Topanga Canyon in the Santa Monica Mts. We will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Topanga Center, a shopping center on Topanga Canyon Blvd. Just west of its intersection with Old Topanga Canyon Road. The post office is next to the parking lot. The Topanga Center is on Topanga Canyon Blvd. about 4 miles east of Pacific Coast Highway. Alterna¬ tively, you may take the Ventura Freeway to Topanga Canyon Blvd., and then west on the Blvd. to the shopping center. Directions to the collecting sites will be given in the parking lot. We will probably search in an area about 1/4 mile up Old Topanga Canyon Road where a bridge crosses the stream. Also along the fire ridge behind Topanga Canyon School, a short distance east on Topanga Canyon Blvd. from the parking lot, then left at the Topanga Canyon School sign. To aid in collecting, we suggest bringing a small trowel, knife, wax paper for specimens, a large paper sack, and hand lens, as well as your lunch and water. 2 About 1:15 p.m. we will reassemble at the parking lot to identify and review all specimens collected. Barbara Joe Hoshizake is bringing her class in a bus and will have room for passengers. If you wish to join her, meet at Los Angeles City College at the campus police station in the arcade of the Administra¬ tion Building at 9:00 a.m. The station is located on the west side of the campus on Heliotrope Avenue between Monroe Street and Lily Crest Avenue. The College's principal address is 855 North Vermont Ave., just north of the Hollywood Freeway, in Los Angeles. March 8-9, 1980 - Saturday and Sunday Todos Santos Island, Ensenada, Baja California We will meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot at the Ensenada Sport Fishing sign in Ensenada on the waterfront off Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas at Avenue Macheros . We have reserved a 60’ boat which accommo¬ dates 40. We will be on the island all day and return to Ensenada between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. It should be a fantastic trip for plants, birds and marine wildlife. Join us for Saturday night camping and Sunday we will cover various dune, etc., habitats. The cost is $17-00 per person. Reservations must be made by sending your check to Walt Wright, 326 Redwood Avenue, Brea, CA 92621 by February 22 , 1980 . March-l6, 1980 - Sunday Anza Borrego State Park We will join the Park Committee for their annual desert walk. Send envelope to Marvin Chesebro for details. March 17, 1980 - Monday This is the last day to submit abstracts to the Program Chairman of the Southern California Academy of Sciences. 3 March 22, 1980 - Saturday Oso Falls Nature Conservancy Preserve Take 1-10 east towards Indio. Exit on State 111 (Palm Springs), then about one mile on State 111 to .snow Creek Road, then right 2 miles to dirt track on the right, then right about 1/i; mile to the gate, where we will meet at 9:30 a.m. Some of us plan to camp Saturday night and on Sunday to check Whitewater Canyon and/or the western area of Joshua Tree National Monument. March 30 (Sunday) to April 6, i 960 (Sunday) Easter vacation. Baja California - Scammcns Lagoon and San Ignacio Roads and weather permitting, we are planning an ambitious Baja trip to include the above and the cave paintings in this area. After the plant sale on Saturday, March 29, we will leave for Ensenada and rendezvous at 8:30 a.m. at the government inspection station just south of Maneadero, which is about 10 miles south of Ensenada. The itinerary thence is roughly Sunday night at El Rosario, Monday and Tuesday at Guerrero Negro and Scammons Lagoon, Wednesday and Thursday at San Ignacio. Some will start back Thurs¬ day, others Friday, stopping at Pu.nta Prieto dunes, San Quentin dunes, etc. The Tijuana border will be dif¬ ficult Sunday, April 6, Easter, afternoon and evening. If you are going, get your Tourist Permits at the auto club, etc. and confirm with Walt Wright, 71*4-529- *413*4. We may include a mule trip to some of the care areas at a modest cost. March 29, 1980 - Saturday SCB Plant and Book Sale This again will be at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 1500 North College Avenue, Claremont, Calif¬ ornia. From the San Bernardino Freeway take the Indian Hill exit, then north on Indian Hill to Foothill douleva.d, sas^ 3 blocks cn Foothill to College Avenue and north on College Avenue to the Garden. We will have a good selection of native plants and a super selection of popular and scientific books on plants. Workers are needed at 7:00 a.m. (members, it's very enjoyable!). Public sale at 8:CO a.m. and be sure to tour the Gardens. It will be superb. April 12-13, 1980 - Saturday and Sunday Antelope Valley This part of the valley should be in peak bloom. We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 138 and Largo Vista Road (east of Pearblossom) We will spend the day winding our way on good dirt roads across the desert, ending around High Vista. You may call it a day at that point and return to your homes, or join some of us in camp Saturday night at Saddleback Butte State Park and spend Sunday on the western part of the Valley (Poppy Preserve, etc.). Fill your gas tanks and bring lunch and water. We will have a six page plant list. April 18 and 19, 1980 - Saturday and Sunday Topock Gorge on the Colorado River We will meet at 8:00 a.m. (California time) Saturday morning at the private camp at Catfish Paradise, Topock, Arizona, east of Needles, Califor¬ nia. You may camp Friday night at Catfish Paradise. The canoes are provided by Old Western Trader. We will launch at Topock Marsh 'and paddle south on the River. Saturday night camp along the river and term¬ inate on Sunday about 2:00 p.m. near Castle Rock. The cost is $12.50 per person and checks must be received by April 7, 1980 by Walt Wright, 326 Redwood Avenue, Brea 92621, to reserve a place. April 24-26, 1980 (Friday night to Sunday) Catalina Island - Cherry Cove and West End. Departure for Catalina will be at 7:00*p.m. Friday night , from the Long Beach-Catalina Cruises Terminal in Long Beach ( not San Pedro). Come about’ 1/2 hour early. We will cruise to Two Harbors via Avalon, arriving about 9:50. Transportation to and from camp will be provid¬ ed for botanists and camping equipment. Rates for groups are based on a minimum of 25 adults. Reservations must be confirmed and paid in advance. Send your check for $16.00 to Walt Wright 326 Redwood Avenue, Brea 92621. It must be received by April 9, 1980. To reach Long Beach-Catalina Cruises, take the Long Beach Freeway (State 7) south to the Downtown Long Beach exit. Go under the Broadway sign, then 1/2 mile to the Golden Shore exit. Follow the signs indicating Catalina. Park in the free grass let east of terminal. May 2 and 3 Annual Meeting of Southern California Academy of Sciences at California State University, Long Beach •May 9-11 Zzyzx and Soda Lake between Barstow and Baker May 18 Vernal Pools, Riverside County May 24-26 China Lake, - Coso Mts. 1 May 31 Cold Creek Canyon Preserve June ■ 7 Chilao Flats, San Gabriel Mts. Fall Symposium on Pollination Ecology. Dr. C. Eugene Jones, Ph.D. DUES We thank all those who so promptly sent In their 1980 dues. All others please send your checks. We want you as members and want you to continue to receive Crosscsoma and join our activities. ELECTION The ballots were duly counted and your officers and directors for 1980 are listed in this issue. DIRECTORS MEETINGS Directors meetings are on the third Thursday of each month at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden at 7:30 p.m. All members are most welcome to attend and participate. CROSSOSOMA We are anxious to have articles on botanical subjects for our Journal. This is our prime interest. Any time you see or hear of anything of botanical interest, share it with the members by sending a write-up to Marvin Chesebro. If you wish author's credit, polish it up and send it in. You will receive credit as the author and we will send you 10 extra copies of the issue. We are planning issues for April, June, August and October, 1980 and need lead time to put an issue together. 6 President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Past President Directors SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BOTANISTS OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, 1980 Marvin Chesebro 510 West 6th Street 213 627-4878 Los Angeles, CA 90014 Alan Rumsport Botany Dept. 714 773-3614 Fullerton Junior College Fullerton, CA 92631 Frits Zeylemaker 1720 Mission Street (Condo. #4) 213-441-2673 South Pasadena, CA 91030 Barry Prigge 714 626-3922 Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden 1500 North College Avenue Claremont, CA 91711 Chris Davidson LA County Museum of Natural History 213 744-3378 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007 Walt Wright 326 Redwood Avenue Brea, CA 92621 Barbara Joe Hoshizake Life Sciences Dept. Los Angeles City College 855 North Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90029 Walter Wisura Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Kay Wright Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Robert F. Thorne Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Dick Tiiforth Rancho Santa Ana Botanic 714 529-4134 213-663-9141 x 282 Garden 714 626-3922 Garden 714 626-3922 Garden 714 626-3922 Garden 714 626-3922 C. Eugene Jones Cal. State Univ. Fullerton 714 773-3548 300 North State College 31vd. Fullerton, CA 92631 David Mitchner Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden 714 626-3922 uohn Little Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden 2 / 6/80 7 714 626-3922 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BOTANISTS i c TO ?-< cd o (0 o 3 ■H c c (0 cd > p < o rH CO d> ' — I 60 6— <0 0> rH chon < rH O < (1)0 0 p C JZ « (d -P -P n c c o o O 2 £ ■C O S-. c o to rt in rH OC rH O CROSSOSOMA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BOTANISTS Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont, CA 91711 Crossosoma Vol . 6 ^*0. i April 1980 Editor: M. Chesebro NOTES ON THE FLORA OF THE TODOS SANTOS ISLANDS ( offshore Ensenada, Baja California Norte, Mexico)_ The Southern California Botanists on March 8, 1930, joined the Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society on a boat trip out of Ensenada to the Todos Santos Islands as part of our recent field trip to the Ensenada area of Baja California Norte. Despite threatening forecasts, the weather was splendid with clear, sunny skies anu little wind. The nine-mile trip by charter boat from Ensenada to the islands was most enjoyable and afforded us during our circumnavigation of the two islands good views of the topography and vegetation of the islands and the sight¬ ing of various pelagic and other sea birds, seals and sea-lions, and four cavorting, friendly gray whales. During the half-day spent on the south, hilly island after our disembarkation at the North Landing, the botan¬ ical members of the expedition collected numerous plant specimens and observed and photographed various cacti and other succulents and plants. They also encountered an¬ other expedition from the Sonoran Desert Museum out of Tucson led by botanist Dick Felger before it embarked from the South Landing. At least 77 vascular plant species were collected, photographed, or otherwise observed on the South Island. The list of "Plants of the Todos Santos Islands, Baja California," published by Reid Moran in 1950 in Leaflets of Western Botany 6: 53-56, was most helpful. However, obviously many botanical changes have occurred on the south island since the early visits reported in that paper, for we collected or observed at least 30 species not reported in that paper plus one or two corrections. For the convenience of our members these additions are listed herewith, though surely most of them are already known to Dr. Moran. With these additions, the original published list, and others on an informal list apparently supplied by Dr. Moran to one of our members, the present known flora of the island, must be at least 110 species, not bad for an Island only 1.2 square kilometers in area, about 100 meters high at the peak, and about 6 kilometers distant from Punta Banda on the mainland. The species are listed alphabetically by family. Those preceded by an asterisk are presumed to be introduced by man to the island, mostly as hitch-hiking weeks. The Lavatera , reported to be extinct on the island, is represented currently by at least seven vigorous, large shrubs in a colony at the north end of the South Island. Polypodium californicum Kaulf. ♦Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L. dnaphalium bicolor Bioletti Haplopappus venetus (HBK) Blake ssp. oxyphyllus (Greene) Hall Viguiera laciniata A. Gray ♦Sisymbrium irio L. ♦Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller Opuntia oricola Philbrick Opuntia prolifera Engelm. Atriplex californica Moq. in DC. ♦Atriplex semibaccata R. Br. Calystegia macrostegia (Greene) Brummitt ssp. macrostegia Trifolium tridentatum Lindl. Frankenia grandifoiia Cham. & Schlect. ♦Marrubium vulgare L. ♦Lavatera assurgentiflora Kellogg Escnschclzia californica Cham. Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. ssp. fasciculatum Claytonia perfoliata Donn Heteromeles arbutifolia M. Roem. Ribes viburnifolium A. Gray ♦Solanum nodiflorum Jacq. Hesperocnide tenella Torr. (=Urtica urens of Wiggins) Habenaria unalascensis (Spreng.) S. Wats. Phyllospadix torreyi S. Wats. ♦Avena barbata Brot. Bromus carinatus H. & A. var. californicus Shear Elymus condensatus Presl. ♦Hordeum leporinum Link ♦Lamarckia aurea (L.) Moench. Poa scabrella (Thurb.) Benth. ex Vasey Stipa diegoensis Swallen Robert F. Thorne RSABG, Claremont, CA 91711 2 VENUS The planet Venus is now a prominent object in the western evening sky as field botanists, bird watchers and assorted naturalists end their day. She will reach her greatest brilliance on May 8th, and planetarium and observatories can expect a dramatic increase in the number of reports of UFOs. Use your binoculars and telescopes to observe Venus going through all her phases - like the Moon. On Feb¬ ruary 1, she was slightly gibbous; by April 5th, the disc will be half lit, and 24 seconds of arc in size. On that date she will have reached her greatest elongation from the Sun, and on May 5th will set at her northernmost point - farther north than the Sun ever sets. On May 8th she will have her greatest brilliancy, and be 37 seconds of arc across. By this time, Venus will be a crescent - like a new Moon, visible in 7 power binoculars. By June 1, she will be low in the horizon when darkness settles, and a very "New Venus." To see the crescent during May, look at sunset or early twilight, as too dark a sky affords too much con¬ trast for such a brilliant object. But look this year, for not until 1988 will there be such a favorable evening apparition . Courtesy of Audubon Imprint, Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society THE FLORA OF PANAMA A symposium signalling the completion of "The Flora of Panama" will be held at the University of Panama April 14-17, 1980 . Several speakers will discuss: The physical setting. The human setting, Vegetation types. The botany of Panama, Major plant groups, Panamanian fauna. Plant-animal interactions, Seasonality and Tropical biota and man. The talks are in English and in Spanish with simultaneous translation. Field trips are planned to Darien, to Altos de Chiriqui, to Isla Barro Colorado and to Contadora or the San Bias islands. Address all correspondence to Prof. Mireya D. Correa A., Escuela de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencia's Naturales y Farmacia, Estafeta Universitaria, Universidad de Panama, Panama, Republica de Panama. Stanford University Press has just published "The Flora of Isla Barro Colorado." It is a very fine and costly publication, and a tribute to the extensive flora of this island in Gatun Lake on the route of the Panama Canal. For many years, the Smithsonian Institute has maintained a research laboratory on this island. In the United States, the Missouri Botanical Garden had done the major work on the flora of Panama and has the largest collection of plants from this area. 3 SEVENTH ANNUAL FUNGUS FORAY Nine days of torrential rains in the Santa Monica Mountains and washed out roads dissuaded us from our scheduled foray in Topanga Canyon. The weather cleared briefly and we rescheduled for San Dimas Canyon Park and found a bright Saturday morning. We had 18 foragers plus Barbara Joe Hoshizaki's botany class members and friends. We split into two groups, one to the Cal Poly campus with Dr. Martin Stoner and the other up San Dimas Canyon with Greg Wright of the Los Angeles Mycological Society. The campus group searched a eucalyptus grove and riparian and oak wood lands with fine success, particular¬ ly on slime molds. The canyon group lands, also with good worked principally results. in oak wood We reassembled at the park for lunch and displayed our finds. Greg Wright reviewed each specimen, giving us scientific and common names, analysis of structure and growth, smell, taste, and gastronomic characteristics ranging from gourmet delight through i landness, bitterness nausea, induction of sweating or heart palpitations, hallucinations, to a guaranteed lethal result! Greg left with full baskets to do his thing and Walt Wright took his home and duly keyed all specimens and promises us a master plant list of this trip and all our other fungus forays! Our member Barbara Day, psychologist, was delighted to see Schizophy1ium commune. SYMPOSIUM ON OCTOBER 25, 1980 The Symposium this year has now been set for October 25, 1980 at California State University - Fullerton. The subject is Pollination Ecology and will have wide appeal. Dr. C. Eugene Jones is putting the program together and expects to have speakers outstanding in the field. The University is considering credit for attending. The Board has given Dr. Jones a generous budget. Please set aside this date and let us know immediately of any groups to which we might well send announcements. The program will justify a large attendance. 4 ALAN ROMSPERT, VICE PRESIDENT Our apologies to our Vice President, Alan Romspert, for misspelling his name and misstating his address in the list of Officers and Directors in the February Crossosoma. His name is correctly spelled above and his correct address is: Biology Department California State University Fullerton, CA 9263^ Alan works for the Desert Studies Consortium with headquarters at Cal State Fullerton and is in charge of their station at Zzyzx. He will host us there on May 9-H• He is also well along on a flora of the Panamint Mts. and has led our trips there, including the memorable one last August to Telescope Peak where we were caught in a freezing, driving rain and wind storm (in August in Death Valley!). LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Crossosoma welcomes letters to the editor, as well as contributions. We share with you the following com¬ munication, in photocopy form for its full flavor, rather than retyping with a rather considerable sprinkl¬ ing of necessary "sics." Dear Senor, Please accept with my compliments these fine brochures ahnouncing the Loa Hngeles Mycological Society Foray. These people scour the countryside rooting up truffels and toadstools, displacing groundsquirrels, amphibeans, and rockadillos and should be contained as soon as possible. Send 25 of your most experienced tactical riot and rampant enthusiast abatement force members to the site of this foray and perhaps we shall be done with them once and for all. Jefe, Division of Conservationist ObservAtion and Natural History Defamation 5 FIELD TRIPS The details of the following trips are in the ruary 1980 issue of Crossosoma: April 12-13 April 18-19 April 24-26 Antelope Valley Topock Gorge canoe trip Catalina Island (But the cost will be $21.00 to $24.00) Then there will be the.’e trips: Feb- May 9-11, 1980 - Friday-Sunday Soda Springs and Zzyzx Soda Springs (Zzyzx Springs, Fort Soda), the site of the upcoming SCB field trip on May 9-11, has a long legacy of history. Its location along the route of the Old Mojave Trail and the existance of springs at the location have enticed several users to inhabit the area. In December of 1979, a prehistorical clovis-like projectile point (which dates back to the Pleistocene Era) was discovered by Arch¬ aeologists surveying the area. Historically, the site was utilized by Indians of several cultures who have left petroglyphs on the rocks of Soda Mountain and shards and flakes throughout the area. In the 1800's, a calvary outpost, Fort Soda was built; although no sign of this fort exists today. Later the Tonopah-Tidewater railroad (1905-1940) ran past the site and shallow salt ponds were built on the dry lakebed into which saline water was pumped and evaporated to produce salt crystals, which were ground in a mill to produce salt. This was shipped out on the railroad. The ponds can still be seen on the lakebed, along with the foundations of the mill and the bed of the railroad which extends out into Soda Lake towards Baker. In the 1940's an evangelist. Dr. Curtis Springer, began the construction of a complex which he named Zzyzx Springs. He ran the health resort until 1974; and after a long legal battle, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reposessed the facility. In 1976 a 5-year cooperative agreement between the BLM and seven California State Universities, in and around Los Anaeles, was initiated. This marked the conception of the DESERT STUDIES CONSORTIUM. The educational and research center at Soda Springs is ideally located; it exists in an area near the center of the Mojave Desert which provides access to many diverse habitats. The Soda Mountains occur on the western side of the center and extends up to the northwest; the Mojave River wash and its plentiful underground water supply, the 6 arid benches on either side of the wash and the Mesquite Hills are to the southwest. The Bristol Mountains, Devil's Playground, Cowhole Mountains, and the Kelso Sand Dunes are to the southeast and east; and Death Valley is located 100 miles to the north. Plant communities which are found within the con¬ fines of the Center are the Creosote Bush Scrub, fresh water seeps, rocky hillside, alkaline flat, grass-shrub- Psamophilous and the introduced community of Tamarix, Oleander and Mexican Fan Palm around the complex. Two ponds on the location, which were used for bathing while the health resort existed, are now restricted. They are inhabited by two fish species, one, the Mojave Chub, is an endangered species on both state and federal lists. The other is a species of the desert pup fish which occurs at enough locations so it is not considered to be endangered at this time. The facilities, in very poor repair when acquired in 1976, have been and are being renovated. We now have 18 rooms in three buildings (one of which is two storied), which have been refurbished to accomodate up to 60 students and faculty. This consists of beds and mattresses, chairs and tables and an occasional mirror or chest of drawers. Electricity is provided at night by a propane generator or power from our 1 KW wind generator. Portable water is hauled from Baker and is available in our kitchenett which has a stove and oven. A first aid kit is available in the kitchenett also. Toilet facilities consist of drop and chemical toilets. We are currently rebuilding the kitchen which will be able to service 60 people and plan to put in a reverse osmosis unit to produce ion free water and a shower and toilet facility. To get to Soda Springs Desert Studies Center, one travels towards Las Vegas on Interstate 15 through Barstow towards Baker. Six miles west of Baker is the Zzyzx road turnoff. Take this turnoff south along the west edge of Soda Dry Lake. You will encounter 4 miles of "graded" dirt road, and see road closed signs because we restrict access to the facility; but the chain gate will be open. You may arrive until 10 p.m. Friday night, when the generator is turned off. We will assemble at 9 a.m. Saturday morning, with Alan Romspert as trip leader. May 10 through 18, 1980 Annual Wiluflower Show at Julian, San Diego County This is about the 55th Annual Wildflower Show in Julian in the San Diego Mountains. It is always extensive and worthwhile, and presents plants from not only the mountains, but the deserts and other nearby habitats. It is well to combine with visits to some of the superb loca¬ tions in the area. This is not an SCB field trip. 7 May 18, 1980 - Sunday Vernal Pools of Mesa De Colorado Meet Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the general store in Murrietta, south of Lake Elsinore. Car pool from there. See AAA map Riverside County, Sec. 6 -F, G. Bring lunch and water. Leader will be Earl Lathrop, Professor of Botany, Loma Linda University. May 24 and 25, 1980 - Saturday and Sunday China Lake and the Coso Range We will meet Saturday morning in the parking area near the main gate of the Naval Weapons Center in Ridgecrest at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Official permits are necessary and can be obtained from the NWC pass office at the meeting place either Friday night or before 7:30 a.m. Saturday. The Center is about three hours plus from Los Angeles so camping in the Ridgecrest area Friday night is advis¬ able. Also, some will camp at the Pinnacles south of Searles Lake. We will camp at Junction Ranch on Saturday night and be back to the main gate by sundown Sunday. Our last trip in this area was in June 1979. This trip we plan to see new areas of petroglyphs and the vege¬ tation of the higher mountains. Due to permit limitations of the Naval Weapons Center this trip will be limited as to people and number of cars. Call Walt Wright (714-990-4217) to reserve a place. May 31, 1980 - Saturday Cold Creek Canyon Preserve, Santa Monica Mountains This Nature Conservancy Preserve is reached from Mulholland Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, then west on Mulholland Highway to Stunt Road, then 3.3 miles on Stunt Road. Meet at 9:00 a.m. opposite the entrance at the bottom of the Preserve. We will then carpool to the top and walk back through the Preserve with our member Tim Thomas, who is the Preserve Naturalist. Some are planning to camp Saturday night and then botanize some of the other areas of the Santa Monica Mountains on Sunday June 7-8, 1980 - Saturday and Sunday Eagle Point, Big Bear Lake This trip is specially pointed to endemics at Eagle Point, which is soon to be bulldozed for condominiums. We will botanize at other locations on the south shore of Big Bear Lake. Saturday night camping will be in Holcomb Valley. Tim Krantz will lead. Meet Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Safeway store on the road between Big Bear and Big Bear City, east of Moonridge. June 14 and 15, 1980 - Saturday and Sunday Chilao Flats, San Gabriel Mountains We will meet Walter Wisura at 9:00 a.m. on Angeles Crest Highway at the historic marker about 5-1/2 miles north of Foothill Boulevard in La Canada. The marker and parking lot are at the top of the initial grade. Walter will lead on Saturday. Some will wish to camp Saturday night at Charlton Flat or Chilao, and then continue on Angeles Crest Highway on Sunday. June 21, 22, 1980 - Saturday and Sunday Butte Valley, Death Valley National Monument People wishing to participate in this field trip to Butte Valley in the Panamint Mountains, Death Valley National Monument, should contact trip leader Alan Romspert for details. Part of the roads will be ungraded dirt and high clearance vehicles are recommended. The valley is about 4,000 feet in elevation and has several springs within its confines. Alan can be contacted at (714) 773-2428 during the day and at home (714) 526-2433 during the evenings. June 28-29 July 12 July 13 August 2-3 August 16-17 August 27 - September 3 Greenhorn Mountains Santa Anita Canyon Marine Algae Moses Mountain, Sierra Nevada James Preserve, San Jacinto Mountains Sycamore Canyon, Arizona 9 MEETINGS AT VANCOUVER, CANADA The Botanical Society of America and the Canadian Botanical Association will conduct their Annual Meeting from July 11 to 16 at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. For general information, write to: "Botany 80" c/o Dept, of Botany University of British Columbia Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1W5 The Second International Congress of Systematic and Evolutionary Biology will be held at Vancouver from July 17 to 2k, 1980. The aim of this Congress is to provide exchange between all biologists interested in organisms, be they animal or plant, large or small, live or fossil. It is sponsored by the Society of Systematic Zoology and the International Association for Plant Taxonomy, with the cooperation of other national and international organizations. Enquiries should be directed to: Dr. G. G. E. Scudder, Chairman Local Organizing Committee, ICSEB-II Department of Zoology University of British Columbia 2075 Wesbrook Mall Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1W5 Canada PTERIDOPHYTE COURSE, UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA A pteridophyte course at Flathead Lake Biological Station of the University of Montana will be held the last half of July and first half of August, 1980. The Station is approximately k$ minutes from Glacier National Park. Students must be able to negotiate rough trails and climb cliffs as well as wade rocky mountain streams. Write to: Director, Biological Station University of Montana Missoula, MT 59801 DUES Dues are for the calendar year. Please note the year on your address label. If it states "’80" you are paid up and we thank you. If only prior years are so noted, you are not current and we would appreciate your check, so, you can continue to receive this Journal. 10 I.OWLR TOPAIAJA CANYON Topanga ToPfijJCA w; Pali zaoZ r sahT& v AlO^lc A Most maps show Lower Topanga Canyon as part of Topanga State Park, and it has been funded for acquisition since 1974* However, the state has never completed the acquisition, and there is a chance the lower canyon may never be acquired, leaving it open to the kind of private development that has ravaged other mountain canyons. Topanga has one of the finest riparian woodlands in the Santa Monicas, including uncommon trees such as White Alder and Big Leaf Maple. The stream runs much of the year, and is accessible right off the road. Level areas in the lower canyon could be used for camping and picnicking, and there is a public beach at the mouth of the canyon. All this is only four miles from downtown Santa Monica and is accessible by LTD. State Parks has been trying to Require J900 acres of the lower canyon, but the owner is unwilling to sell. They have had to go into condemnation, and mounting costs are causing them to consider abandoning the project. Without a show of public support for purchase of the canyon, they may give up. WHAT TO DO : Write your state assemblyman and state senator and urge them to ask state parks to complete the purchase of lower Topanga Canyon as soon as possible. SOI THE RN CALIFORNIA BOTANISTS c p < O rH 03 0) rH bOf- Cd 0! rH C rH CT\