Beans & Peas. But also some trees, hedges, clovers, & vetches. Almost all have the distinctive "pea-like" flower, so often referred to in nature guides: 5 sepals, 5 petals, 10 stamens, and a single compartment pistil that developes a single row of seeds. The two lower petals are fused along their edges, to form the "keel", the two lateral or side petals often stand out from the keel to form the "wings", and the upper petal, usually the largest, forms the banner. The fruit, when dry, usually splits open forcefully, effectively scattering the seeds. I have heard stories of walking along the trails on Montara Mountain while the Lupine are popping, but have yet to experience this. (Lupines, both annual and perennial variety, make wonderful garden plants, and can easily be propagated from seed.) |
Many of the species found in the Bay Area are introduced aliens; some on purpose, some accidentally. On Montara Mountain, particularly bothersome invasives include Bird's Foot Lotus and the infamous French Broom, species that are so aggressive they inhibit any native vegetation from re-establishing in disturbed areas. Elimination is advised. |
Fabaceae is well represented on Montara Mountain. Members include: | |||
French Broom |
Mat Forming Lotus |
Varicolored Lupine |
Hop Clover Little Hop Clover |
Lotus corniculatus: Flowers: Yellow turning to Orange, pea-like in clusters at top of stems. Blooms: June - August Leaves: Leaf like bird's foot, with three leaflets, 2 leaf-like structures at base of stem. Fruit/Seeds: ??. Location: Nearly all trails - disturbed areas. Status: Alien - Invasive - Common and spreading. |
Lotus corniculatus |
Further description & Comment: 6 - 12 inches tall, low spreading colonies from central anchor points. As an invasive alien species, Bird's Foot Lotus seems to taking over many of the niches normally occupied by the natives Varicolored Lupine and Deerweed. We've tracked it's spreading up about a mile of San Pedro Road in McNee Ranch State Park in the last 3 years. It moves beyond the disturbed trail and road areas into the grassy areas where the lupine grows. |
Lotus heermanii Flowers: Yellow/orange, tubular, often reddish at base during formation; less than 1 inch each, in whorled clusters along stem. Blooms: April - August. Leaves: Groups of three in short stems off stalk, almost fleshy and shiny looking. Fruit/Seeds: Round pods, reddish-green. Location: Rockier areas along trails, open areas. Status: Native - Common. |
Lotus heermanii |
Further description & Comment: Mat-forming Lotus is very similar to Lotus scoparius. (Deer Weed) except that it forms a dense spreading mat instead of a bush. L. heermanii. is also hairier and does not form woody stems. Like Deerweed, it finds itself being crowded out by the invasive Lotus corniculatus .(Bird's Foot Lotus) which also favors opens rocky and sandy areas. The image at left shows the plant doing what it does - forming a mat
on a rock face along North Peak Road. |
Flowers: Yellow, tubular, often reddish at base during formation. Blooms: Spring - ?? Leaves: Groups of three in short stems off stalk, almost fleshy and shiny looking. Fruit/Seeds: Round pods, reddish-green. Location: Rockier areas along trails, dry open areas. Status: Native - Common. |
Lotus scoparius 600x450 JPEG - 36K |
Further description & Comment: 1 - 3 feet tall, low, tangled bush colonies. Similar to Mat Forming Lotus - Lotus heermannii var. orbicularis. but more of an upright bush with a woody central stem. The native Deerweed is sometimes mistaken for the alien Lotus corniculatus (Bird's Foot Lotus) which is becoming much more widespread and looks to be crowding out Deerweed in places. The image at left shows the flowers and seeds in various states of formation. 600x450 JPEG - 36K |
Plant Listings by: |
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