Introduction: This is a partial plant list compiled from various resources over the past five years. Included in this list are 253 vascular plant species representing 62 plant families. The list is divided into two parts, first by scientific name alphabetically by family, then alphabetically by common name. The list includes plants from McNee Ranch State Park, San Pedro Valley County Park, San Pedro Mountain and Montara Mountain. This region is composed of many different plant communities such as coastal bluff scrub, coastal prairie, northern coast scrub, maritime chaparral and riparian.
The granite composition of this region is very unique to the San Mateo coast. This is probably why there is such a diversity of plant life in this area as well as the endemic and rare and endangered plants that occur there. Another reason for the botanical richness is due to the nearly pristine condition of this area. This area is composed of various soils, elevations and exposures that create numerous diverse plant habitats, some very specialized to this region. Many species reach their northern or southern limit of distribution on Montara Mountain.
Trails as well as old road beds allow access to this area to observe many of these plants. This area is linked to Sweeney Ridge, Milagra Ridge and to the east are the wild lands of the Pilarcitos and Crystal Springs watersheds. The greatest challenge the Mountain faces is development of a Bypass that would forever alter the natural beauty of this region. How to get there: From Montara enter from McNee Ranch State Park on the east side of Hwy. 1 after Montara State Beach. From Gray Whale Cove State Beach (approximately 1 mile north of Montara) park at Gray Whale Cove parking lot on the east side of Hwy. 1. From San Pedro Valley County Park at the end of Linda Mar Blvd. in Pacifica.
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to Roger Raiche and Barbara VanderWerf who both produced extensive plant lists that this was built on.
Scientific Name Common Name
Aizoaceae Carpet Weed Family Carpobrotus chilensis sea fig Anacardiaceae Sumac Family Toxicodendron diversilobum poison oak Apiaceae Carrot Family Angelica hendersonii coast angelica Anthriscus caucalis bur-chervil Apiastrum angustifolium wild celery Conium maculatum poison hemlock Daucus carota carrot,Queen Anne's lace Daucus pusillus rattlesnake weed Foeniculum vulgare sweet fennel Heracleum lanatum cow parsnip Lomatium caruifolium caraway-leaved lomatium Lomatium utriculatum wild parsley Oenanthe sarmentosa wine flower Sanicula arctopoides footsteps of spring Sanicula bipinnatifida purple sanicle Sanicula crassicaulis pacific sanicle Scandix pecten-veneris venus' needle Torilis nodosa knotted hedge parsley Apocynaceae Dogbane Family Vinca major periwinkle Asteraceae Sunflower Family Achillea millefolium yarrow Agoseris heterophylla mountain dandelion Anaphalis margaritacea pearly everlasting Artemisia californica California sagebrush Artemisia douglasiana mugwort Artemisia pycnocephala coastal sagewort Aster chilensis common California aster Baccharis pilularis coyote brush Carduus pycnocephalus Italian thistle Chamomilla suaveolens pineapple weed Cirsium occidentale cobweb thistle Cirsium quercetorum brownie thistle Cirsium vulgare bull thistle Conyza bonariensis horseweed Conyza floribunda horseweed Cotula australis Australian cotula Erechtites minima fireweed Erigeron glaucus seaside daisy Eriophyllum lanatum woolly sunflower Eriophyllum staechadifolium lizard tail Gnaphalium sp. everlasting Grindelia stricta platyphylla coastal gum plant Helenium puberulum sneezeweed Heterotheca sessiliflora goldenaster Hypochaeris radicata rough cat's-ear Lasthenia californica goldfields Madia sativa coast tarweed Picris echioides bristly ox-tongue Senecio mikanioides german-ivy Senecio vulgaris common groundsel Solidago canadensis elongata meadow goldenrod Sonchus oleraceus common sow thistle Wyethia angustifolia narrow-leaved mules ears Berberidaceae Barberry Family Berberis pinnata pinnata Oregon-grape, barberry Betulaceae Birch Family Alnus rubra red alder Corylus californica hazelnut Blechnaceae Deer Fern Family Woodwardia fimbriata giant chain fern Boraginaceae Borage Family Cynoglossum grande hound's tongue Brassicaceae Mustard Family *Arabis blepharophylla coast rock cress Arabis glabra tower mustard Barbarea vulgaris common winter cress Cardamine californica milk maids *Erysimum franciscanum San Francisco wallflower Hirschfeldia incana summer mustard Lepidium nitidum shining pepper grass Lobularia maritima alyssum Sisymbrium altissimum tumble mustard Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera hispidula vacillans hairy honeysuckle Lonicera involucrata lebebourii twinberry Sambucus mexicana blue elderberry Sambucus racemosa racemosa red elderberry Symphoricarpos albus laevigatus snowberry Symphoricarpos mollis creeping snowberry Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Cerastium arvense field chickweed Moehringia macrophylla large-leaved sandwort Silene scouleri grandis Scouler's large campion Stellaria media chickweed Convolvulaceae Morning-glory Family Calystegia occidentalis chapparal morning-glory Convolvulus arvensis bindweed Cornaceae Dogwood Family Cornus sericea sericea dogwood Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Dudleya farinosa live forever Sedum spathulifolium pacific stonecrop Cupressaceae (P)Cupressus macrocarpa Monterey cypress Curcurbitaceae Gourd Family Marah fabaceus man-root Marah oreganus coast man-root Cyperaceae Sedge Family Carex sp. sedge Cyperus sp. nutsedge Scirpus cernuus bulrush Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum bracken fern Dipsacaceae Teasel Family Dipsacus sativus Fuller's teasel Dryopteridaceae Wood Fern Family Athyrium filix-femina western lady fern Dryopteris arguta coastal wood fern Polystichum minutum western sword fern Equisetaceae Horsetail Family Equisetum hyemale affine common scoring rush Equisetum telmateia braunii giant horsetail Ericaceae Heath Family Arbutus menziesii madrone *Arctostaphylos montaraensis Montara manzanita Arctostaphylos tomentosa brittle-leaved manzanita crinita Gaultheria shallon salal Vaccinium ovatum California huckleberry Fabaceae Legume Family Acacia melanoxylon black acacia Genista monspessulana French broom Lathyrus latifolius perennial sweet pea Lathyrus vestitus vestitus hillside pea Lotus corniculatus birdfoot trefoil Lupinus arboreus yellow bush lupine *Lupinus eximius blue bush lupine Lupinus latifolius dudleyi Dudley's lupine Lupinus variicolor Lindley's varied lupine Trifolium barbigerum barbigerum bearded clover Trifolium dubium shamrock Trifolium fucatum sour clover Trifolium hirtum rose clover Trifolium wormskioldii cow clover Vicia gigantea giant vetch Fagaceae Oak Family Chrysolepis chrysophylla minor golden chinquapin Quercus agrifolia coast live oak Quercus chrysolepis canyon live oak Quercus wislizenii wislizenii interior live oak Garryaceae Silk Tassel Family Garrya elliptica coast silk tassel Geraniaceae Geranium Family Erodium cicutarium filaree Geranium dissectum cut-leaved geranium Geranium retrorsum New Zealand geranium Grossulariaceae Gooseberry Family Ribes menziesii canyon gooseberry Ribes sanguineum glutinosum flowering current Hydrophyllaceae Waterleaf Family Eriodictyon californicum Yerba Santa Phacelia californica California phacelia Phacelia malvifolia stinging phacelia Iridaceae Iris Family Iris douglasiana Douglas' iris Sisyrinchium bellum blue-eyed-grass Juncaceae Rush Family Juncus balticus baltic rush Juncus bufonius toad rush Juncus effusus pacificus pacific rush Juncus patens common rush Juncus xiphioides iris-leaved rush Luzula comosa common wood rush Lamiaceae Mint Family Lepechinia calycina pitcher sage Monardella villosa franciscana coyote-mint Satureja douglasii yerba buena Stachys bullata California hedge nettle Liliaceae Lily Family Allium dichlamydeum coastal onion Calochortus albus white globe lily/fairy lantern Chlorogalum pomeridianum soap plant Dichelostemma capitatum blue dicks Fritillaria affinis mission bells/checker lily Scoliopus bigelovii slink pod Smilacina racemosa fat Solomon/Solomon's seal Smilacina stellata slim solomon seal Trillium chloropetalum giant trillium Triteleia laxa Ithuriel's spear Zigadenus fremontii Fremont's star lily Malvaceae Mallow Family Sidalcea malvaeflora checker mallow Myricaceae Wax Myrtle Family Myrica californica wax myrtle Myrtaceae Myrtle Family Eucalyptus globulus blue gum Onagraceae Evening Primrose Family Camissonia ovata sun cup Clarkia rubicunda farewell-to-spring Epilobium ciliatum watsonii willow herb Epilobium densiflorum boisduvalia Oenothera elata hookeri evening primrose Orchidaceae Orchid Family Piperia elegans rein orchid Oxalidaceae Wood Sorrel Family Oxalis albicans pilosa hairy wood sorrel Papaveraceae Poppy Family Dicentra formosa bleeding heart Eschscholzia californica California poppy Fumaria officinalis common fumitory Pinaceae Pine Family (P)Pinus radiata Monterey Pine (P)Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas-Fir Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago erecta California plantain Plantago lanceolata English plantain Plantago major common plantain Plantago subnuda plantain Plumbaginaceae Leadwort Family Armeria maritima californica sea-pink Poaceae Grass Family Agrostis hallii Hall's bent grass Avena barbata slender wild oat Briza maxima quaking grass Briza minor quaking grass Bromus carinatus maritimus California brome Bromus diandrus ripgut grass Bromus hordeaceus soft chess Calamagrostis nutkaensis pacific reed grass Cortaderia jubata pampas grass Cynosurus echinatus hedgehog dogtail Danthonia californica California oatgrass Distichlis spicata saltgrass Festuca arundinacea tall fescue Festuca californica California fescue Festuca rubra red fescue Gastridium ventricosum nit grass Holcus lanatus velvet grass Hordeum murinum glaucum barley Hordeum murinum leporinum farmer's foxtail Melica torreyana Torrey's melica Nassella pulchra purple needle grass Phalaris sp. canary grass Poa secunda secunda one-sided bluegrass Polypogon monspeliensis annual beard grass Vulpia bromoides fescue Vulpia myuros rattail fescue Polemoniaceae Phlox Family Gilia clivorum gilia Linanthus sp. linanthus Navarretia squarrosa skunkweed Polygonaceae Buckwheat Family Eriogonum latifolium coast buckwheat Polygonum paronychia dune knotweed Pterostegia drymarioides pterostegia Rumex acetosella sheep sorrel Rumex conglomeratus green dock Rumex crispus curly dock Polypodiaceae Fern Family Polypodium californicum California polypody Polypodium scouleri leather-leaf fern Portulacaceae Purslane Family Claytonia perfoliata miner's lettuce Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis scarlet pimpernel Dodecatheon hendersonii shooting star Trientalis latifolia pacific starflower Pteridaceae Brake Family Adiantum jordanii California maiden-hair Pentagramma triangularis goldback fern Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Anemone oregana western wood anemone Aquilegia formosa crimson columbine Delphinium californicum California larkspur Ranunculus californicus California buttercup Thalictrum fendleri polycarpum meadow rue Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Ceanothus thyrsiflorus blue blossom Rhamnus californica californica coffeeberry Rosaceae Rose Family Acaena pinnatifida californica California acaena Cotoneaster pannosa cotoneaster Fragaria chiloensis beach strawberry Fragaria vesca wood strawberry Heteromeles arbutifolia toyon Holodiscus discolor oceanspray Horkelia californica wedge-leaved horkelia Oemleria cerasiformis oso berry Potentilla glandulosa sticky cinquefoil *Potentilla hickmanii Hickman's cinquefoil Rosa gymnocarpa wood rose Rubus parviflorus thimbleberry Rubus ursinus pacific blackberry Rubiaceae Madder Family Galium californicum bedstraw Galium porrigens climbing bedstraw Salicaceae Willow Family Salix lasiolepis arroyo willow Salix sitchensis Sitka willow Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Heuchera micrantha alum root Tellima grandiflora fringe cups Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Bellardia trixago bellardia Castilleja affinis indian paint brush Castilleja subinclusa Franciscan paintbrush franciscana Castilleja wightii Wight's indian paintbrush Mimulus aurantiacus sticky monkey flower Scrophularia californica bee plant Triphysaria pusilla dwarf orthocarpus Solanaceae Nightshade Family Solanum furcatum nightshade Solanum umbelliferum blue witch Taxodiaceae Bald Cypress Family (P)Sequoia sempervirens coast redwood Thymelaeaceae Mezereum Family *Dirca occidentalis leatherwood Urticaceae Nettle Family Urtica dioica gracilis American stinging nettle Violaceae Violet Family Viola adunca western dog violet
COMMON NAME PLANT LIST
Common Name Genus/Species Name acaena, California Acaena pinnatifida californica alder, red Alnus rubra alum root Heuchera micrantha alyssum Lobularia maritima anemone, western wood Anemone oregana angelica, coast Angelica hendersonii aster, common California Aster chilensis aster, golden Heterotheca sessiliflora sessiliflora barley Hordeum murinum glaucum beard grass, annual Polypogon monspeliensis bedstraw Galium californicum bee plant Scrophularia californica bellardia Bellardia trixago bindweed Convolvulus arvensis birdfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus black acacia Acacia melanoxylon blackberry, pacific Rubus ursinus bleeding heart Dicentra formosa blue blossom Ceanothus thyrsiflorus blue dicks Dichelostemma capitatum blue eyed grass Sisyrinchium bellum blue gum Eucalyptus globulus blue witch Solanum umbelliferum bluegrass, one-sided Poa secunda secunda boisduvalia Epilobium densiflorum brome, California Bromus carinatus maritimus buckwheat, coast Eriogonum latifolium bulrush Scirpus cernuus bur-chervil Anthriscus caucalis buttercup, California Ranunculus californicus campion, Scouler's large Silene scouleri grandis canary grass Phalaris sp. celery,wild Apiastrum angustifolium checker bloom Sidalcea malvaeflora malvaeflora chickweed Stellaria media chickweed, field Cerastium arvense cinquefoil, sticky Potentilla glandulosa climbing bedstraw Galium porrigens clover, bearded Trifolium barbigerum barbigerum clover, cow Trifolium wormskioldii clover, rose Trifolium hirtum clover, sour Trifolium fucatum coffeeberry Rhamnus californica californica columbine, crimson Aquilegia formosa cotoneaster Cotoneaster pannosa cotula, Australian Cotula australis cow parsnip Heracleum lanatum coyote brush Baccharis pilularis coyote-mint Monardella villosa franciscana current, flowering Ribes sanguineum glutinosum dock, curly Rumex crispus dock, green Rumex conglomeratus dogwood Cornus sericea sericea (P)Douglas-Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii elderberry, blue Sambucus mexicana elderberry, red Sambucus racemosa racemosa evening primrose Oenothera elata hookeri everlasting Gnaphalium sp. farewell-to-spring Clarkia rubicunda fern, bracken Pteridium aquilinum fern, California maiden-hair Adiantum jordanii fern, California polypody Polypodium californicum fern, coastal wood Dryopteris arguta fern, giant chain Woodwardia fimbriata fern, goldback Pentagramma triangularis fern, leather-leaf Polypodium scouleri fern, western lady Athyrium filix-femina fern, western sword Polystichum minutum fescue Vulpia bromoides fescue, California Festuca californica fescue, rattail Vulpia myuros fescue, red Festuca rubra fescue, tall Festuca arundinacea filaree Erodium cicutarium fireweed Erechtites minima footsteps of spring Sanicula arctopoides foxtail, farmer's Hordeum murinum leporinum Fremont's star lily Zigadenus fremontii French broom Genista monspessulana fringe cups Tellima grandiflora geranium, cut-leaved Geranium dissectum geranium, New Zealand Geranium retrorsum german-ivy Senecio mikanioides gilia Gilia clivorum golden chinquapin Chrysolepis chrysophylla minor goldenrod, meadow Solidago canadensis elongata goldfields Lasthenia californica gooseberry, canyon Ribes menziesii groundsel, common Senecio vulgaris gum plant, coastal Grindelia stricta platyphylla hairy wood sorrel Oxalis albicans pilosa Hall's bent grass Agrostis hallii hazelnut Corylus californica hedgehog dogtail grass Cynosurus echinatus hedge nettle, California Stachys bullata *Hickman's cinquefoil Potentilla hickmanii hillside pea Lathyrus vestitus vestitus honeysuckle, hairy Lonicera hispidula vacillans horkelia, wedge-leaved Horkelia californica horse tail, scoring rush Equisetum hyemale affine horsetail, giant Equisetum telmateia braunii horseweed Conyza bonariensis horseweed Conyza floribunda hound's tongue Cynoglossum grande huckleberry, California Vaccinium ovatum iris, Douglas' Iris douglasiana Ithuriel's spear Triteleia laxa knotted hedge parsley Torilis nodosa knotweed, dune Polygonum paronychia large-leaved sandwort Moehringia macrophylla larkspur, California Delphinium californicum californicum *leatherwood Dirca occidentalis linanthus Linanthus sp. live forever Dudleya farinosa lizard tail Eriophyllum staechadifolium lomatium, caraway-leaved Lomatium caruifolium *lupine, blue bush Lupinus eximius lupine, Dudley's Lupinus latifolius dudleyi lupine, Lindley's varied Lupinus variicolor lupine, yellow bush Lupinus arboreus madrone Arbutus menziesii man-root Marah fabaceus man-root, coast Marah oreganus manzanita, brittle-leaved Arctostaphylos tomentosa crinita *manzanita, Montara Arctostaphylos montaraensis meadow rue Thalictrum fendleri polycarpum melica, Torrey's Melica torreyana milk maids Cardamine californica miner's lettuce Claytonia perfoliata mission bells/checker lily Fritillaria affinis (P)Monterey cypress Cupressus macrocarpa (P)Monterey Pine Pinus radiata morning-glory, chapparal Calystegia occidentalis mountain dandelion Agoseris heterophylla mugwort Artemisia douglasiana mules ears, narrow-leaved Wyethia angustifolia mustard, summer Hirschfeldia incana mustard, tower Arabis glabra mustard, tumble Sisymbrium altissimum narrow-leaved flax Linum bienne nightshade Solanum furcatum nit grass Gastridium ventricosum nutsedge Cyperus sp. oak, canyon live Quercus chrysolepis oak, coast live Quercus agrifolia oak, interior live Quercus wislizenii wislizenii oatgrass, California Danthonia californica oceanspray Holodiscus discolor onion, coastal Allium dichlamydeum Oregon-grape/barberry Berberis pinnata pinnata oso berry Oemleria cerasiformis owl's clover, dwarf Triphysaria pusilla ox-tongue, bristly Picris echioides pacific reed grass Calamagrostis nutkaensis paintbrush, Franciscan Castilleja subinclusa franciscana paintbrush, Indian Castilleja affinis paintbrush, Wight's Indian Castilleja wightii pampas grass Cortaderia jubata parsley, wild Lomatium utriculatum pearly everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea periwinkle Vinca major phacelia, California Phacelia californica phacelia, stinging Phacelia malvifolia pineapple weed Chamomilla suaveolens pitcher sage Lepechinia calycina plantain Plantago subnuda plantain, California Plantago erecta plantain, common Plantago major plantain, English Plantago lanceolata poison hemlock Conium maculatum poison oak Toxicodendron diversilobum poppy, California Eschscholzia californica pterostegia Pterostegia drymarioides purple needle grass Nassella pulchra quaking grass Briza minor quaking grass, large Briza maxima Queen Anne's lace/carrot Daucus carota rattlesnake weed Daucus pusillus (P)redwood Sequoia sempervirens rein orchid Piperia elegans ripgut grass Bromus diandrus *rock cress, coast Arabis blepharophylla rough cat's-ear Hypochaeris radicata rush, baltic Juncus balticus rush, common Juncus patens rush, common wood Luzula comosa rush, iris-leaved Juncus xiphioides rush, pacific Juncus effusus pacificus rush, toad Juncus bufonius sagebrush Artemisia californica sagewort, coastal Artemisia pycnocephala saltgrass Distichlis spicata sanicle, pacific Sanicula crassicaulis sanicle, purple Sanicula bipinnatifida scarlet pimpernel Anagallis arvensis sea fig/ice plant Carpobrotus chilensis sea-pink Armeria maritima californica seaside daisy Erigeron glaucus sedge Carex sp. shamrock Trifolium dubium sheep sorrel Rumex acetosella shining pepper grass Lepidium nitidum shooting star Dodecatheon hendersonii silk tassel, coast Garrya elliptica skunkweed Navarretia squarrosa slink pod Scoliopus bigelovii sneezeweed Helenium puberulum snowberry Symphoricarpos albus laevigatus snowberry, creeping Symphoricarpos mollis soap plant Chlorogalum pomeridianum soft chess Bromus hordeaceus Solomon seal, slim Smilacina stellata Solomon's seal, fat Smilacina racemosa starflower, pacific Trientalis latifolia salal Gaultheria shallon sticky monkey flower Mimulus aurantiacus stinging nettle, American Urtica dioica gracilis stonecrop, pacific Sedum spathulifolium strawberry, beach Fragaria chiloensis strawberry, wood Fragaria vesca sun cup Camissonia ovata sweet fennel Foeniculum vulgare sweet pea, perennial Lathyrus latifolius tarweed, coast Madia sativa teasel, Fuller's Dipsacus sativus thimbleberry Rubus parviflorus thistle, brownie Cirsium quercetorum thistle, bull Cirsium vulgare thistle, cobweb Cirsium occidentale thistle, Italian Carduus pycnocephalus sow thistle, common Sonchus oleraceus toyon Heteromeles arbutifolia trillium, giant Trillium chloropetalum twinberry Lonicera involucrata lebebourii velvet grass Holcus lanatus venus' needle Scandix pecten-veneris vetch, giant Vicia gigantea violet, western dog Viola adunca *wallflower, San Francisco Erysimum franciscanum wax myrtle Myrica californica white globe lily/fairy lantern Calochortus albus wild oat, slender Avena barbata willow herb Epilobium ciliatum watsonii willow, arroyo Salix lasiolepis willow, Sitka Salix sitchensis windmill pink Silene gallica wine flower Oenanthe sarmentosa winter cress, common Barbarea vulgaris wood rose Rosa gymnocarpa woolly sunflower Eriophyllum lanatum yarrow Achillea millefolium yerba buena Satureja douglasii yerba santa Eriodictyon californicum
Corelli, T., Chandik, Z., 1996. The Rare and Endangered Plants of San Mateo and Santa Clara County, with Photographs and Illustrations. Monocot Press, P.O. Box 773, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
Hickman, J.C., Editor 1993. The Jepson Manual, Higher Plants of California. University of California Press.
Raiche, R., Wright, D., 1985. Preliminary Checklist of the Plants of the Proposed Devil's Slide Freeway Corridor, San Mateo County, California in Botanical Issues Concerning the Proposed Bypass Freeway at Devil's Slide, San Mateo County.
Thomas, J.H. 1961. Flora of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California A Manual of the Vascular Plants. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California.
VanderWerf, B., 1994. Montara Mountain. Gum Tree Lane Books, P.O. Box 1574, El Granada, CA 94018.