The Gull

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M&O
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QL 671

G84 DEC 17 193

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Volume 13

SAN FRANCISCO, AUGUST, 1931

Number 8

Plant Zone Indicators of the Bay Region

This is the first report on the Research Problems,
open to discussion and contributions.

It is preliminary and is

Herewith is presented a list of plant indicators for two Life-zones of the
Bay Region, derived from Hall and Grinnell’s lists for California.

In regard to nomenclature some explanations must be made In the first
place the Latin names have been changed in a few instances to conform to
those used by Jepson in his “Flowering Plants of California,’’ because the latter
work is more recent, readily available, and widely used. Secondly, the names
have been simplified by using varietal designations only where they were neces-
sary for identification. Thus the full scientific name of our Baneberry is “Actaea
spicata L. var. arguta Ton-.”, but it is here listed simply as “Actaea spicata ”
tor there is only one Baneberry in California, and hence no possibility of con-
fusing the zone-indicator plant with any other.

Common names are often in a state of such loose and senseless usage that
it is difficult to make a list which will accurately and appropriately designate
only the intended plants. Indeed it might be thought better to omit them from
a work of this kind.

In compiling this list of popular names the following rules have been fol-
lowed: A: No name has been accepted that has been used to designate more
than one species; B: Where there are a number of names to choose from, as
is often the case, that one has been selected which seems to be the most'de-
sci iptive, or otherwise most appropriate; C: A general preference has been
shown for the popular names found in popular books rather than for those given
in scientific works; D: Where there is no available common name, one is pro-
posed, or none is given. A few examples will illustrate:

Acer negundo has two common names, Ash-leaf Maple and Box Elder In
favor of the first is the fact that it is a Maple, and has Ash-like leaves; against
the second is that it is not an Elder, and in no way resembles a box. Why per-
petuate a misnomer when an excellent name is at hand?

The Castilleias are commonly called Paint-brush, some are called also
Painted-cup. The first name is appropriate for the blooms resemble brushes;
the second name is ridiculous, for there is nothing cup-like about these flowers’.

Lilium pardalinum is popularly known both as Leopard Lilly and as Tiger
Lilly. It is, however, spotted like a leopard, and not striped like a tiger, hence
the listing of the first name.

Quercus agrifolia and Quercus wislizenii present another problem. Their
book names are Coast Live Oak and Interior Live Oak, but their most popular
names are both Live Oak, hence a confusion, all the greater because other ever-
green oaks are likewise known as Live Oak. But as Quercus agrifolia: is also
called Holly Oak, in reference to its leaves, and Quercus wislizenii, though it is
derived from the Latin name, is not Wis. Oak, but is both spelled and pro-
nounced Wiz. Oak, the list proposes that these more distinctive though less
known names be given a more extended usage.

( August

THE GULL

1931 ]

Upper Sonoran Zone

Trees

Cupressus sargentii

Sargent Cypress

Juniperus californica

California Juniper

Pinus sabiniana

Digger Pine

Quercus douglasii

Blue Oak

Quercus agrifolia

Holly Oak (Coast Live Oak)

Quercus wislizenii

Wiz. Oak (Interior Live Oak)

Ptelea baldwinii

Hop Tree

Aesculus californica

Buckeye

Shrubs

Quercus dumosa

Scrub Oak

Ptelea baldwinii

Hop Tree

Eriogonum fasciculatum

Bush Buckwheat

Dendromecon rigida

Bush Poppy

Dicentra clirysantha

Golden Dicentra

Ribes aureum

Golden Currant

Adenostoma fasciculatum

Chamise

Cercocarpus betuloides

Mountain Mahogany

Photinia arbutifolia

Toyon

Prunus ilicifolia

Islay

Pickeringia montana

Chaparral Pea

Rhus diversiloba

Poison Oak

Rhus trilobata

Three-lobe Sumack

Ceanothus cuneatus
Arctostaphylos glandulosa

Eastwood Manzanita

Arctostaphylos glauca

Big-berry Manzanita

Arctostaphylos manzanita

Parry Manzanita

Fraxinus dipetala

Bushy Ash

Sphacele calycina

Pitcher Sage

Artemisia californica

California Sage-brush

Ericameria arborescens

Golden Fleece

Herbs

Castilleia foliolosa

Woolly Paint Brush

T ransition

Zone

Trees

Abies concolor

White Fir

Cupressus macrocarpa

Monterey Cypress

Libocedrus decurrens

Incense Cedar

Pinus lambertiana

Sugar Pine

Pinus ponderosa

Yellow Pine

Pinus radiata

Monterey Pine

Pseudotsuga taxifolia

Douglas Fir

Sequoia sempervirens

Redwood

Taxus brevifolia

Short-leaf Yew

Torreya californica

Long-leaf Yew

Castanopsis chrysophylla

Giant Chinquapin

Lithocarpus densiflora

Tan Oak

Quercus chi*ysolepis

Maul Oak

Quercus kelloggii

California Black Oak

Acer negundo

Ash-leaf Maple

Cornus nuttallii

Large-flower Dogwood

Arbutus menziesii

Madrono

Shrubs

Corylus rostrata

Hazelnut

Physocarpus capitatus

Nine Bark

Rubus spectabilis

Salmon-berry

Rubus leucodermis

Wild Raspberry

Rubus parviflorus

Thimble-berry

[ August

THE GULL

1931 ]

Ceanothus integerrimus
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
Aralia californica
Gaultheria shallon
Rhododendron californicum
Rhododendron occidentale
Vaccinium ovatum
Herbs

Lilium pardalinum
Scoliopus bigelovii
Trillium ovatum
Trillium sessile
Iris missouriensis
Asarum caudatum
Actaea spicata
Tellima grandiflora
Whipplea modesta
Fragaria californica
Fragaria chilensis
Viola sarmentosa
Anaphalis margaritacea
Antennaria argentea
Petasites palmata

Deer Brush
California Lilac
California Aralia
Salal

California Rhododendron
Western Azalea
Huckleberry

Bog Leopard Lilly
Stink Pod

Wake-robin Trillium
Sessile Trillium
Western Blue Iris
Wild Ginger
Baneberry
Fringe-cups

Wood Strawberry
Beach Strawberry
Yellow Creeping Violet
Marguerite Everlasting
Silver Everlasting
Sweet Coltsfoot

In making use of these plant indicators to identify life zones it should be
borne in mind that between two zones there is commonly a transitional area
where indicators from the adjoining zones may be found intermixed. Also that
imbedded in one zone there may be isolated islands or projecting peninsulas of
another zone, due to the limited presence within the former of a slope exposure,
air current, or other conditions favorable to the life requirements of the latter.

The Upper Sonoran and the Transition are the two widespread life zones
in the Bay Region, and therefore the regional indicators have been first com-
piled for them. It would be useful, however, to make also a similar list for the
Lower Sonoran; partly because there may be found areas of this zone along the
eastern borders of the Bay Counties, or at least infiltrations of Lower Sonoran
forms (as witness the Bush Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca, in Tesla Pass and can-
yon) ; and partly because the Lower Sonoran Zones on the west side of the San
Joaquin Valley, and south of Hollister and of Salinas, are within a day’s birding
trip from the Bay Region.

Herman de Fremery.

Assisting Mr. de Fremery in this project were: Mrs. H. P. Bracelin and
Mrs. A. B. Stephens.

S S S

The July Field Trip was taken Sunday, the 12th, in Golden Gate Park.
When nineteen members and friends assembled at the Tenth Avenue entrance
to the Park the sky was overcast and a cool wind was blowing. Later in the
forenoon the sun shone forth.

Robins and English Sparrows were feeding their young under the pollard
sycamores at the Music Concourse. Western Flycatchers were feeding their
young in the Japanese Tea Garden. Linnets, Nuttall Sparrows and Pine Siskins
were bathing in the pool under the willows. In the trees around the new rose
garden Olive-sided Flycatchers were calling. This species is evidently more
numerous in the Park this summer than usual.

A Turkey Vulture was observed. It seems odd to class this bird as rare in
any sense of the word but it is rare in the Park. Another rare summei visitant
was the Mourning Dove.

Luncheon was eaten at the Chain of Lakes, after which the walk was con-
tinued to the Cliff Plouse. The final goal was the nest of the Pigeon Guillemots
beyond Sutro Baths. The nest was empty, but two birds were found out in the
water. One of these flew in toward the shore giving us an excellent view of
itself.

[ August

THE GULL

1931 )

Birds observed in the Park were as follows: Mallard, Pintail and Ruddy
Ducks; Turkey Vulture; Quail; Coot; Mourning Dove; Anna and Allen Hum-
mingbirds; Kingfisher; Black Phoebe; Western and Olive-sided Flycatchers;
Chickadee; Bush-tit; Vigors Wren; Robin; Russet-backed Thrush; Hutton
Vireo; Yellow and Pileolated Warblers; Brewer Blackbird; House Sparrow;
Linnet; Pine Siskin; Green-backed Goldfinch; Spotted Towhee; Junco; Nuttall
and Song Sparrows.

At the Cliff House: Brown Pelican; Farallon Cormorant; White-winged

Scoter; Western and Heermann Gulls; Pigeon Guillemot.

A total of thirty-six species.

Cornelia C. Pringle, historian.

S ^ Jt

Audubon Notes

August Meeting will be held on
Thursday, the 13th, at 8 p. m., room
19, 2nd floor, Ferry Building.

The evening will be devoted to vaca-
tion experiences. Visitors as well as
members are invited to contribute to
the evening’s entertainment.

<£*

August Field Trip will be taken Sun-
day, the 18th, to Tennessee Cove,
Marin County. Purchase round trip
tickets to Manzanita 48c, and take
8:45 a. m. Sausalito Ferry. Bring
luncheon and filled canteens. Leader,
Chas. A. Bryant.

16* %6*

July Meeting: The 173rd regular

meeting was held on July 9th, in room
19, Ferry Building, with thirty-one
members and guests present. 2nd Vice
President, Miss Cornelia Pringle pre-
siding.

Mrs. M. E. Gaines of Oakland was
elected to membership.

Field observations were reported as
follows :

Mrs. Otis H. Smith: June 21st, near
Phoenix Lake, Black - throated Gray

Warbler feeding young. This observa-
tion was also made by Mr. Charles
Bryant with Mr. and Mrs. Stephens on
June 28th.

Mr. Bremer: June 28th, Crystal

Springs Dam, fourteen Canada Geese.

The evening was given over to talks
by members on favorite birding places.
Mrs. Cummings told of the birds at
Vera Lake near Nevada City; Mrs.
Otis Smith of the birds of Marin
County; Mrs. Stephens of the birds of
Golden Gate Park, and Harold Swan-
ton of birds of the High Sierra
country.

Following these short talks Mr.
Angelo Hewetson, of Alameda, exhib-
ited upon the walls twenty-six of his
beautiful drawings of birds, some of
which were in color. A lover of birds
and self-taught in the art of free hand
drawing Mr. Hewetson gave a brief ac-
count of his technique, as well as
speaking of individual birds.

Commander Parmenter showed his
life list containing a record of obser-
vations over a period of ten years.
Compiled with great care and very
complete in data, it attracted a great
deal of interest from those present.

Audubon Association of the Pacific

For the Study and the Protection of Birds

President Brighton C. Cain 221 Thayer Bldg., Oakland

Corresponding Secretary C. B. Lastreto 260 California St., San Francisco

Treasurer Mrs. A. B. Stephens 1695 Filbert St., San Francisco

Monthly meeting second Thursday, 8 P. M., Room 19, Ferry Building.

Address Bulletin correspondence to Mrs. A. B. Stephens, Editor, 1695 Filbert St., San Francisco.

Subscription to monthly Bulletin, $1.00 per year. Single copies, 15c.

Membership dues, payable January 1st, $3.00 per year.

Student memberships, $1.50 per year. _ Life memberships, $50.00

Members are responsible for dues until written notice of resignation is received by Treasurer.