Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve

Herbaceous Plants of the BCEP

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An online folder with photos of the BCEP Plant Species.

Herbaceous Plants
FamilyScientific NameCommon NameNativeCodeComments
AgavaceaeChlorogalum pomeridianum var. pomeridianumWavy-Leaved Soap-PlantYESHgenus previously included in Liliaceae
AlismataceaeAlisma trivialeWater-PlantainYESHtreated as Alisma plantago-aquatica L. in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1], misapplied
AlliaceaeAllium neapolitanumWhite GarlicNOHa small cluster of an early flowering variety of this garden escape is adjacent to the main gate. genus previously included in Liliaceae
AmaryllidaceaeNarcissusDaffodilNOHan ornamental escapee
ApiaceaeAnthriscus caucalisBur-ChervilNOHabundant throughout the preserve
 Daucus pusillusRattlesnake-WeedYesH 
 Lomatium utriculatumBladder LomatiumYESHa few plants were observed on the northeast end of the preserve
 Sanicula crassicaulisPacific SanicleYESHsmall population observed growing at the northeast end of the preserve
 Torilis arvensisCommon Hedge-ParsleyNOH 
ApocynaceaeAsclepias eriocarpaIndian MilkweedYESHrestoration planting, genus previously included in Asclepiadaceae
 Vinca majorPeriwinkleNOHtwo varieties observed, one with variegated leaves. many patches
AraceaeLemna minutaLeast DuckweedYESHcollected from a small perennial pond. genus previously included in Lemnaceae
AsteraceaeAnthemis arvensisCorn ChamomileNOHunscented, receptacle chaffy throughout
 Artemisia douglasianaMugwortYESHOther common names include: Douglas' Mugwort, California Mugwort
 Bidens frondosaSticktightYESHadjacent Butte Creek and marshy areas
 Carduus pycnocephalusItalian Plumeless-ThistleNOHscattered along creek edge
 Centaurea solstitialisYellow Star-ThistleNOHNOXIOUS WEED, C List
 Cichorium intybusChicoryNOH 
 Cirsium vulgareBull ThistleNOH 
 Conyza canadensisCanadian HorseweedYESH 
 Erigeron pumilus var. intermediusHairy DaisyYESHa low growing and densely flowering restoration planting.
 Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorumLarge-Flowered Woolly-SunflowerYESH 
 Gnaphalium luteoalbumWeedy CudweedNOH 
 Grindelia hirsutula var. davyiFoothill GumplantYESHrestoration planting?
 Hedypnois creticaCrete WeedNOHobserved on gravel bars and along trails. still flowering strongly in early November
 Heterotheca grandifloraTelegraph-WeedYESH 
 Hypochaeris glabraSmooth Cat's-EarNOH 
 Lactuca serriolaPrickly LettuceNOH 
 Lagophylla glandulosaGlandular HareleafYESH 
 Lasthenia californicaCalifornia GoldfieldsYESHonly a few flowers of this common spring annual were seen
 Lessingia nemacladaSlender-Stemmed LessingiaYESH 
 Logfia gallicaNarrow-Leaved FilagoNOHtreated as Filago gallica L. in The Jepson Manual [Ed. 1]
 Madia gracilisSlender TarweedYESHa single small population observed
 Matricaria matricarioidesCommon Pineapple-WeedYESHthere is some question as to whether this is a native or introduced species. treated as Chamomilla suaveolens (Pursh) Rydb. in the Jepson Manual [Ed.1]
 Micropus californicus var. californicusSlender Cottonweed, Q-TipsYESH 
 Pseudognaphalium beneolensFragrant CudweedYESHtreated as Gnaphalium canescens DC. subsp. beneolens(Davidson) Stebbins & D.J.Keil in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1]
 Psilocarphus tenellusSlender Wooly-MarblesYESHcommon on disturbed roadway and inner parking area
 Senecio vulgarisOld-Man-In-The-SpringNOH 
 Silybum marianumMilk-ThistleNOH 
 Solidago velutina subsp. californicaCalifornia GoldenrodYESHrestoration plantings. treated as Solidago californica Nutt. in The Jepson Manual {Ed.1]
 Soliva sessilisLawn BurweedNOH 
 Sonchus oleraceusCommon Sow-ThistleNOHobserved in a disturbed section of the riparian zone
 Sonchus asper subsp. asperSpiny-Leaved Sow-ThistleNOH 
 Symphyotrichum chilenseCalifornia AsterYESHtreated as Aster chilensis Nees in The Jepson Manual [Ed. 1]
 Tragopogon dubiusYellow SalsifyNOH 
 Uropappus lindleyiSilverpuffsYESH 
 Xanthium strumariumCockleburYESH 
BoraginaceaeAmsinckia menziesii var. intermediaCommon FiddleneckYESH 
 Cryptantha flaccidaWeak-Stemmed CryptanthaYESH 
 Heliotropium europaeumEuropean HeliotropeNOHgravels bars
 Myosotis latifoliaCommon Forget-Me-NotNOHa few plants growing on the upper flood plain of Butte Creek
 Phacelia egenaRock PhaceliaYESHtwo small plants observed. genus previously included in Hydrophyllaceae
BrassiaceaeBarbarea vernaEarly WintercressNOHgrowing on soils adjacent to creek. a yellow flower, somewhat squarish stemmed mustard with 6-10 pairs of lateral leaflets on basal leaves
 Brassica nigraBlack MustardNOHa few plants observed growing along edge of parking lot. the lack of a developing seed in the fruit beak separates this plant from the locally abundant Hirschfeldia
 Capsella bursa-pastorisShepherd's-PurseNOH 
 Cardamine oligospermaWestern BittercressYESHcommon and scattered throughout the preserve
 Draba verna subsp. vernaSpring Witlow-GrassYESH 
 Hirschfeldia incanaMediterranean Hoary-MustardNOH 
 Lepidium nitidum var. nitidumShining Pepper-GrassYESH 
 Lepidium strictumUpright Pepper-GrassNOH 
 Lunaria annuaMoonwort, Money PlantNOH 
 Nasturtium officinaleWatercressYESHtreated as Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek in The Jepson Manual [Ed. 1]
 Rorippa curvisiliquaWestern YellowcressYESHon gravel bars and a vernal swell on the north-west boundary of the preserve. sub-species not recognized in the Jepson Manual
 Thysanocarpus curvipesClasping-Leaved FringepodYESHcommon and scattered throughout the preserve
CallitrichacaeaCallitriche marginataWinged Water-StarwortYESHcollected from a pool within the riparian zone
 Callitriche heterophylla var. bolanderiVariable-Leaved Water-StarwortYESHcollected from a shallow pool near the north-west property line. plants both in water and stranded on mud
CaryophyllaceaePetrorhagia dubiaGrass-PinkNOH 
 Saponaria officinalisBouncing-BetNOH 
 Scleranthus annuus subsp. annuusKnawelNOH 
 Silene gallicaWindmill-PinkNOH 
 Spergularia rubraRuby SandspurryNOHobserved on disturbed roadbed
 Stellaria mediaCommon ChickweedNOH 
 Velezia rigidaVeleziaNOHcommon on disturbed soil around sheds and restoration site
CeratophyllaceaeCeratophyllum demersumHornwortYESHimmersed aquatic, collected from small pond in riparian zone
ChenopodiaceaeChenopodium albumLamb's-QuartersNOHgrowing in clearing in riparian zone
 Dysphania ambrosioidesMexican-TeaNOHtreated as Chenopodium ambrosioides L. in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1]
 Dysphania botrysJerusalem-OakNOHtreated as Chenopodium botrysL. in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1]
ConvolvulaceaeCalystegia occidentalis subsp. occidentalisWestern Morning-GloryYESH 
 Convolvulus arvensisBindweedNOH 
CrassulaceaeCrassula connataPigmyweedYESH 
 Crassula tillaeaMossy PigmyweedNOHgrowing in shallow depressions near trails and old roadbed
 Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosaCanyon DudleyaYESH 
CyperaceaeCarex barbaraeSanta Barbara SedgeYESH 
 Carex deweyana subsp. leptopodaShort-Scaled SedgeYESH 
 Carex fetaGreen-Sheathed SedgeYESH 
 Carex nudataTorrent SedgeYESHscattered along edge of Butte Creek. some appear to be restoration plantings
 Carex subfuscaRusty Slender SedgeYESHgrowing on gravel bar at edge of Butte Creek
 Cyperus eragrostisTall CyperusYESHsand and gravel bars along Butte Creek
 Cyperus erythrorhizosRed-Rooted CyperusYESHgrowing on gravel bar at edge of Butte Creek
 Cyperus flavescensYellow CyperusNOHgrowing on gravel bar at edge of Butte Creek
 Cyperus strigosusFalse NutsedgeYESHsand and gravel bars along Butte Creek
 Eleocharis macrostachyaPale Spike-RushYESHobserved in a drying vernal swell near the north-west preserve boundary
 Lipocarpha micranthaSmall-Flowered LipocarphaYESHcollected from sand/gravel bar along Butte Creek
ElatinaceaeElatine ambiguaRice-Field WaterwortNOHplants growing on a vernal flat near the north-west preserve boundary. no flowers observed and identification uncertain
EuphorbiaceaeChamaesyce maculataSpotted SpurgeNOHnative to eastern United States
 Chamaesyce serpyllifolia subsp. serpyllifoliaThyme-Leaved SpurgeYESH 
 Croton setigerusTurkey MulleinYESHtreated as Eremocarpus setigerus in The Jepson Manual [Ed. 1]
 Euphorbia peplusPetty SpurgeNOHplants growing among restoration plantings near the storage area
FabaceaeAcmispon brachycarpusFoothill LotusYESHtreated as Lotus humistratus in The Jepson Manual [Ed. 1]
 Acmispon parviflorusSmall-Flowered LotusYESHtreated as Lotus micranthus in The Jepson Manual [Ed. 1]
 Acmispon americanus var. americanusSpanish LotusYESHtreated as Lotus purshianus var. purshianus in The Jepson Manual [Ed. 1]
 Lathyrus tingitanusTangier PeaNOHabundant throughout the preserve
 Lupinus albifrons var. albifronsSilver Bush-LupineYESSexisting and restoration planted shrubs
 Lupinus bicolorBicolored LupineYESH 
 Lupinus microcarpus var. densiflorusWhite-Whorled LupineYESHseveral plants observed in two locations on a rocky overflow channel near the creek
 Lupinus nanusSky LupineYESH 
 Lupinus polycarpusSmall-Flowered LupineYESHincluded in L. bicolor in the Jepson Manual, but seems to be distinct in our area
 Medicago lupulinaBlack MedickNOH 
 Medicago polymorphaCommon Bur-CloverNOH 
 Medicago praecoxMediterranean Bur-CloverNOH 
 Melilotus albusWhite Sweet-CloverNOH 
 Melilotus indicusIndian Sweet-CloverNOH 
 Trifolium dubiumLittle Hop CloverNOH 
 Trifolium glomeratumSessile-Headed CloverNOHcommon on disturbed soil
 Trifolium hirtumRose CloverNOH 
 Trifolium microcephalumSmall-Headed CloverYESHa small population located on dry open ground
 Trifolium subterraneumSubterranean CloverNOHscattered populations
 Trifolium willdenoviiTomcat CloverYESHa few scattered plants observed
 Vicia sativa subsp. nigraGarden VetchNOH 
 Vicia sativa subsp. sativaGarden VetchNOH 
 Vicia villosa subsp. variaWinter VetchNOH 
GentianaceaeCicendia quadrangularisTimwortYESHa small population observed on edge of old roadbed
 Zeltnera venustaCanchalaguaYESHtreated as Centaurium venustum(A.Gray) B.L.Rob in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1]
GeraniaceaeErodium brachycarpumShort-Fruited Stork's-BillNOH 
 Erodium botrysLong-Beaked Stork's-BillNOH 
 Erodium cicutariumRed-Stemmed FilareeNOH 
 Erodium moschatumWhite-Stemmed FilareeNOHabundant
 Geranium dissectumCut-Leaved GeraniumNOH 
 Geranium molleDove's-Foot GeraniumNOH 
HydrocharitaceaeElodea canadensisCanadian WaterweedYESHcollected in a backwater eddy
HypericaceaeHypericum perforatumKlamathweedNOH 
JuncaceaeJuncus acuminatusSharp-Fruited RushYESHseveral populations growing at water edge along Butte Creek
 Juncus articulatusJointed RushYESH0
 Juncus bufonius var. bufoniusCommon Toad RushYESH 
 Juncus capitatusLeafy-Bracted Dwarf RushNOH 
 Juncus effusus var. exiguusShort RushYESH 
LamiaceaeLamium amplexicauleGiraffeheadNOH 
 Lycopus americanusCut-Leaved BugleweedYESHgravel bars
 Marrubium vulgareHorehoundNOH 
 Melissa officinalisLemon-BalmNOH 
 Mentha arvensisAmerican Wild MintYESH 
 Mentha pulegiumPennyroyalNOHgravel bar along creek
 Mentha spicata var. spicataSpearmintNOH 
 Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolataMountain SelfhealYESH 
 Scutellaria sp.SkullcapYESHonly a few post flowering/fruit plants observed
 Stachys ajugoides var. rigidaRigid Hedge-NettleYESH 
 Stachys pycnanthaShort-Spiked Hedge-NettleYESH 
 Trichostema lanceolatumVinegar-WeedYESH 
LoasaceaeMentzelia laevicaulisGiant BlazingstarYESHcommon on the open ground north of creek riparian zone
LythraceaeLythrum hyssopifoliaHyssop LoosestrifeNOHspelling of epithet corrected from "hyssopifolium" in The Jepson Manual [Ed. 1]
MolluginaceaeMollugo verticillataIndian-ChickweedNOH 
MontiaceaeClaytonia parviflora subsp. parvifloraSmall-Flowered Miner's-LettuceYESHcommon in the wooded areas around the base of Gray Pines, often with variegated leaves. genus previously included in Portulacaceae
 Claytonia perfoliata subsp. perfoliataCommon Miner's-LettuceYESHgenus previously included in Portulacaceae
MyrsinaceaeAnagallis arvensisScarlet PimpernelNOHgenus previously included in Primulaceae
OnagraceaeClarkia purpurea subsp. quadrivulneraPurple ClarkiaYESH 
 Epilobium brachycarpumTall Annual WillowherbYESH 
 Epilobium canum subsp. latifoliumCalifornia-FuschiaYESH/Srestoration planting
 Epilobium ciliatum subsp. ciliatumFringed WillowherbYESHgravel bars
 Epilobium densiflorumDense-Flowered Spike-PrimroseYESHgravel bars
 Ludwigia peploides subsp. peploidesYellow WaterweedYESHgrowing in a slough and adjacent moist bank
OxalidaceaeOxalis corniculataCreeping Wood-SorrelNOHadjacent greenhouse, has a clover like leaf
 Oxalis pes-capraeBermuda-ButtercupNOHgrowing in moist disturbed area near storage area
PapaveraceaeEschscholzia californica subsp. californicaCalifornia-PoppyYESH 
PhrymaceaeMimulus cardinalisScarlet Monkey-FlowerYESHlarge showy patches occasional along creek. genus previously included in Scrophulariaceae
 Mimulus glaucescensShield-Bracked Monkey-FlowerYESHgrowing on gravel bar. CNPS List 4. genus previously included inScrophulariaceae
 Mimulus guttatusSeep Monkey-FlowerYESHgravel bars. genus previously included in Scrophulariaceae
 Mimulus moschatusMusk Monkey-FlowerYESHmoist soil along creek. genus previously included in Scrophulariaceae
PlantaginaceaeKickxia elatineSharp-Leaved FluellinNOHgenus previously included in Scrophulariaceae
 Penstemon heterophyllus var. purdyiPurdy's BeardtongueYESHgenus previously included in Scrophulariaceae
 Plantago elongataElongate PlantainYESH 
 Plantago erectaErect PlantainYESH 
 Plantago lanceolataEnglish PlantainNOH 
 Plantago majorCommon PlantainNOH 
 Veronica americanaAmerican Brook LimeYESHgenus previously included in Scrophulariaceae
PolemoniaceaeCollomia heterophyllaVariable-Leaved CollomiaYESH 
PolygonaceaeEriogonum nudum var. pubiflorumHairy-Flowered BuckwheatYESH 
 Eriogonum luteolum var. luteolumWicker BuckwheatYESHcommon on most open rocky or dry soil. some species in area would also key to E. vimineum.
 Polygonum aviculare subsp. depressumCommon KnotweedNOHtreated as Polygonum arenastrum Boreau in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1], misapplied
 Persicaria hydropiperWater-PepperNOHtreated in The Jepson Manual [ED.1] as Polygonum hydropiper L.
 Persicaria lapathifoliaWillow-WeedYESHtreated in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1] as Polygonum lapathifolium L.
 Persicaria maculosaLady's-ThumbNOHtreated in The Jepson Manual [ED.1] as Polygonum persicariaL.
 Persicaria punctataDotted SmartweedYESHtreated in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1] as Polygonum punctatumElliott
 Rumex crispusCurly DockNOH 
 Rumex pulcherFiddle DockNOH 
 Rumex salicifoliusWillow DockYESHintraspecific taxa not recognized in The Jepson Manual [Ed.2]
RanunculaceaeRanunculus muricatusPrickle-Seeded ButtercupNOHgrowing in a moist, shallow depression near storage area
RosaceaeAphanes occidentalisWestern Lady's-MantleYESH 
 Drymocallis glandulosa subsp. glandulosaSticky CinquefoilYESHobserved growing along a trail at edge of riparian zone south of storage area. treated as Potentilla glandulosa Lindl. subsp. glandulosa in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1]
RubiaceaeCrucianella angustifoliaCrosswortNOH 
 Galium aparineCleaversYESH 
 Galium parisienseWall BedstrawNOH 
 Galium porrigens var. tenueNarrow-Leaved Climbing BedstrawYESHa few plants observed in several locations, near oaks
SaxifragaceaeDarmera peltataIndian-RhubarbYESHplants observed on a rocky gravel bar, a singe plant observed on a rocky gravel bar
ScrophulariaceaeCastilleja attenuataValley-TasselsYESH 
 Triphysaria eriantha subsp. erianthaJohnnytuckYESHone small population observed
 Verbascum blattariaMoth MulleinNOH 
 Verbascum thapsusWoolly MulleinNOH 
SolanaceaeNicotiana acuminata var. multifloraMany-Flowered TobaccoNOHoccasional on gravel bars, also observed on a drainage area in dry brushy woodland
 Solanum americanumAmerican Black NightshadeYESHgravel bars
 Solanum parishiiParish's NightshadeYESHa single plant observed growing on a bank above the creek on the northeast end of the preserve
ThemidaceaeBrodiaea californica var. californicaCalifornia BrodiaeaYESHsingle plant observed in restoration garden site. plant stem broken off and I was not able to confirm it growing on site. genus previously included in Liliaceae
 Brodiaea elegans subsp. elegansElegant BrodiaeaYESHone plant observed growing out of Vinca adjacent to road leading to storage sheds. genus previously included in Liliaceae
 Dichelostemma capitatum subsp. capitatumBluedicksYESHgenus previously included in Liliaceae
 Triteleia bridgesiiBridges' TriteleiaYESHone plant seen in flower. genus previously included in Liliaceae
TyphaceaeTypha latifoliaBroad-Leaved CattailYESH 
ViscaceaeArceuthobium campylopodumDwarf Gray Pine MistletoeYESHgrowing on foothill pines. treated as Arceuthobium occidentaleEngelm. in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1]
 Phoradendron serotinum subsp. macrophyllumBig-Leaved MistletoeYESHgrowing on cottonwood. treated as Phoradendron macrophyllum(Engelm.) Cockerell in The Jepson Manual [Ed.1]
ZygophyllaceaeTribulus terrestrisPuncture-VineNOHsmall scattered populations