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Say hi! to the commonest chaparral species, grouped by adaptation.
Chaparral birds that stay in the shade
Chaparral birds that stay in the shade
These insectivorous, shy birds feed inside the bushes, have tiny territories, and mate for life. Even if you don't see them, you will hear their calls.
The Wrentit Chamaea fasciata is the ping-pong "voice of the chaparral" and lives within an acre plot, gleaning for insects inside the bushes. It gathers fog dew in its feathers, preening the water off its feathers to drink.
Photo by Andrea Kreutzhage CC-BY-NC https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39796746
The California Gnatcatcher Polioptila californica keeps the Wrentit company and forages for insects in the shady areas. It has chosen a shady nest in the cactus.
Photo by Tinatan CC-BY-NC https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116893052
The California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum gets nearly all its water from what it eats including insects and berries. It digs for insects in shady leaf litter with its curved beak.
Photo by Scott Templeton CC-BY-NC https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/319509404Summer-dropped leaves conserve water
Summer-dropped leaves conserve water
Some chaparral plants are pretty in the spring but drop their leaves in the summer.
Sticky Monkey Flower Diplacus aurantiacus is starting to drop its large leaves in this photo. It keeps tiny leaves next to its stem alive and green to get energy even when dried up.
Photo Hannah Robinson.
Climbing Penstemon Keckiella cordifolia loses its heart-shaped leaves in summer.
Photo Hannah Robinson
Black Sage Salvia mellifera allow their leaves to shrivel in summer, leaving blackened stems.
Photo Green.Taco-folded and cupped leaves turn away from the sun
Taco-folded and cupped leaves turn away from the sun
Laurel Sumac and Sugar Bush have taco-folded leaves to reduce the area the sun heats. Live oaks have cupped leaves to capture moisture underneath and reduce sun area.
Laurel Sumac Malosma laurina has taco-folded leaves to avoid full sun.
Photo by Aaron Ibarra. CC-BY-NC https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/346936830
Sugar Bush Rhus ovata has flatter taco-folded leaves.
Photo by Genyss Duncan CC-BY-NC https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/339957379
Coast Live Oak Quercus agrifolia has cup-shaped leaves.
Photo by Garrett Craig CC-BY-NC https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/328843318Needle-sized leaves reduce sun
Needle-sized leaves reduce sun
Chamise, California sagebrush Artemesia, and California buckwheat have thin leaves to minimize the sun.
California Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum grows from seed after fire. It has tiny needle-sized stubby leaves, pinkish flowers, and a ginger color in summer.
Photo by Grigory Heaton CC-BY-NC https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135455387
California Sagebrush or Cowboy Cologne Artemesia californica is a keystone chaparral species that has soft aromatic needle-shaped leaves. It is not a true sage.
Photo by Eliel Gomez CC-BY-NC https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/350440690
Chamise Adenostoma fasciculatum is similar-looking to sagebrush but has leathery needle-sized leaves without the aroma.
Photo by A. Parker CC-BY-NC https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/346504198Large root burl stores water and energy
Large root burl stores water and energy
Manzanita, Chamise and Toyon have a two-tiered root systems: a large root burl that stores energy and water, and shallow roots to gather water from fog drip. The root burl regrows after fire and drought, and can last a hundred years.
Manzanita root burls from which new shoots are sprouting Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. glandulosa.
Manzanita root burl.
Photo 2021 Ron Vanderhoff CC-BY-NC 4.0 https://www.calflora.org/app/taxon?crn=552
Manzanita root burl.
Photo 2021 Ron Vanderhoff CC-BY-NC 4.0 https://www.calflora.org/app/taxon?crn=552Partnership with fungi increases survival
Partnership with fungi increases survival
California Scrub Oak Quercus berberidifolia and other plants connect with mycorrhizal fungi that plug into their roots. The fungi have mycelia thread networks that bring water and minerals (especially phosphorus) from far away to feed the oak, and the oak feeds the fungi with sugars made by the oak leaves. Sprouting scrub oak acorns need the fungi to help prevent wilting in the first years of life.
Network of fungal mycelia growing under an oak log.
Photo Hannah Robinson CC-BY-NCFrom the desk of Hannah Robinson
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