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Plants

Although relatively small in size and surrounded by agricultural and urban development on three sides, Younger Lagoon Reserve is comprised of eight unique habitat types, including freshwater marsh, saltwater marsh, riparian willow, coastal strand (back dune), coastal scrub, coastal grassland, seasonal freshwater wetlands, and the brackish lagoon.

Younger Lagoon Reserve is comprised of two distinct parts: the original 25-acre reserve, and the 47-acre Terrace Lands.  The Terrace Lands were farmed from ~1920-1990, and prior to the start of the reserve's restoration efforts in 2009, non-native plants dominated much of the reserve.  Now, native plants thrive at the reserve, with approximately 30,000 plants planted annualy as part of onging restoration efforts.

To get more involved with plants at UCSC, see the Plant Sciences Page.

Native Plant Species of Younger Lagoon Reserve
Common Name Scientific Name Family Group Life Cycle Bloom Period Vegetative Reproduction Status (CAL-IPC) Wetland Indicator Status
FERNS:
coastal wood fern Dryopteris arguta Dryopteridaceae Pteridophyte FAC
California polypody Polypodium californicum Polypodiaceae Pteridophyte FACU
bracken fern Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens Dennstaedtiaceae Pteridophyte FACU
Grasses:
seashore bent grass Agrostis pallens Poaceae Monocot Perennial Apr-May FACU
California brome Bromus carinatus var. carinatus Poaceae Monocot Perennial Feb-Mar UPL
California oatgrass Danthonia californica Poaceae Monocot Perennial Feb-Mar FAC
saltgrass Distichlis spicata Poaceae Monocot Perennial July-Aug FACU
blue wild rye Elymus glaucus Poaceae Monocot Perennial May-July FACU
beardless wild rye Elymus triticoides Poaceae Monocot Perennial May-June Rhizomatous FAC
California fescue Festuca californica Poaceae Monocot Perennial Feb-Apr FACU
red fescue Festuca rubra Poaceae Monocot Perennial Apr-May FAC
meadow barley Hordeum brachyantherum Poaceae Monocot Perennial June-July FACW
Torrey's melica Melica torreyana Poaceae Monocot Perennial Mar-June FAC
foothill needle grass Stipa lepida Poaceae Monocot Perennial Mar-May UPL
purple needle grass Stipa pulchra Poaceae Monocot Perennial Mar-May UPL
SEDGES & RUSHES:
alkali bulrush Bolboschoenus maritimus Cyperaceae Monocot Perennial Aug-Sept OBL
seacoast bulrush Bolboschoenus robustus Cyperaceae Monocot Perennial July-Aug OBL
Monterey sedge Carex harfordii Cyperaceae Monocot Perennial Feb-Sept OBL
slough sedge Carex obnupta Cyperaceae Monocot Perennial June-Sept Rhizomatous OBL
tall cyperus Cyperus eragrostis Cyperaceae Monocot Perennial May-Sept FACW
creeping spike rush Eleocharis macrostachya Cyperaceae Monocot Perennial Apr-Aug Rhizomatous FACW
low bulrush Isolepis cernua Cyperaceae Monocot Annual Apr-Sept OBL
baltic rush Juncus balticus Juncaceae Monocot Perennial May-June FAC
bog rush Juncus effusus Juncaceae Monocot Perennial July-Aug FACW
Mexican rush Juncus mexicanus Juncaceae Monocot Perennial Mar-May FACW
common rush Juncus patens Juncaceae Monocot Perennial July-Oct FACW
brown-headed rush Juncus phaeocephalus Juncaceae Monocot Perennial June-Aug Rhizomatous FACW
square bulrush Schoenoplectus americanus Cyperaceae Monocot Perennial June-Aug Rhizomatous OBL
southern bulrush Schoenoplectus californicus Cyperaceae Monocot Perennial May-June Rhizomatous OBL
HERBS & SHRUBS:
yellow sand verbena Abronia latifolia Nyctaginaceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Oct UPL
pink sand verbena Abronia umbellata Nyctaginaceae Eudicot Perennial All Year UPL
California sheepburr Acaena pinnatifida var. californica Rosaceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Jun UPL
yarrow Achillea millefolium Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial Apr-Aug FACU
beach bur Ambrosia chamissonis Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial June-July UPL
pearly everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial Jun-Aug UPL
sea pink Armeria maritima Plumbaginaceae Eudicot Perennial May-June FAC
California Sagebrush Artemisia californica Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial Apr-Oct UPL
mugwort Artemisia douglasiana Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial May-Oct FACU
beach sagewort Artemisia pycnocephala Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial May-Aug FAC
fathen saltweed Atriplex patula Chenopodiaceae Eudicot Annual July-Nov FACW
marsh baccharis Baccharis glutinosa Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial June-Oct OBL
coyote brush Baccharis pilularis Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial Sept-Jan UPL
morning glory Calystegia purpurata Convolvulaceae Eudicot Perennial Apr-Sept UPL
beach morning glory Calystegia soldanella Convolvulaceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Jun UPL
soap plant Chlorogalum pomeridianum Agavaceae Monocot Perennial May-Aug UPL
brownie thistle Cirsium quercetorum Asteraceae Eudicot Ann/Per May-July UPL
miners lettuce Claytonia perfoliata Montiaceae Eudicot Annual Feb-May FAC
yerba buena Clinopodium douglasii Lamiaceae Eudicot Perennial May-July UPL
common sandaster Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. filaginifolia Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial May-Aug UPL
bluff lettuce Dudleya farinosa Crassulaceae Eudicot Perennial Jun-Aug UPL
California fuchsia Epilobium canum Onagraceae Eudicot Perennial Aug-Oct FAC
Watson's willowherb Epilobium ciliatum ssp. watsonii Onagraceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Sept FAC
horseweed Erigeron canadensis Asteraceae Eudicot Annual June-Sept FACU
seaside daisy Erigeron glaucus Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial Jan-Aug FACU
coast buckwheat Eriogonum latifolium Polygonaceae Eudicot Perennial July-Sept UPL
lizard tail Eriophyllum staechadifolium Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Aug UPL
California poppy Eschscholzia californica Papaveraceae Eudicot Ann/Per Apr-July UPL
beach strawberry Fragaria chiloensis Rosaceae Eudicot Perennial Feb-Mar Stoloniferous UPL
California coffeeberry Frangula californica Rhamnaceae Eudicot Per/Shrub Jun-Aug UPL
alkali heath Frankenia salina Frankeniaceae Eudicot Perennial May-Oct FACW
Western marsh cudweed Gnaphalium palustre Asteraceae Eudicot Annual May-Oct FACW
coast gumweed Grindelia stricta Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial May-Oct UPL
seaside heliotrope Heliotropium curassavicum var. oculatum Boraginaceae Eudicot Perennial Feb-Oct Rhizomatous FACU
California horkelia Horkelia californica var. californica Rosaceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Sept UPL
marsh jaumea Jaumea carnosa Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial Apr-Dec OBL
yellow bush lupine Lupinus arboreus Fabaceae Eudicot Per/Shrub Apr-July UPL
miniature lupine Lupinus bicolor Fabaceae Eudicot Annual Mar-Jun UPL
sky lupine Lupinus nanus Fabaceae Eudicot Annual Mar-Jun UPL
California man-root Marah fabaceus Cucurbitaceae Eudicot Perennial Feb-Apr UPL
sticky monkey flower Mimulus aurantiacus Phrymaceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Jun UPL
seep monkey flower Mimulus guttatus Phrymaceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Aug Rhizomatous OBL
California wax myrtle Morella californica Myricaceae Eudicot Per/Shrub June-July FAC
skunkweed Navarretia squarrosa Polemoniaceae Eudicot Annual May-Sept FACU
water parsley Oenanthe sarmentosa Apiaceae Eudicot Perennial May-July OBL
Dotted smartweed Persicaria punctata Polygonaceae Eudicot Perennial July-Nov OBL
Pacific seaside plantain Plantago maritima Plantaginaceae Eudicot Perennial May-Sept FACW
Pacific silverweed Potentilla anserina ssp. pacifica Rosaceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Oct Stoloniferous FAC
selfheal Prunella vulgaris Lamiaceae Eudicot Perennial July-Aug FACU
ladies' tobacco Pseudognaphalium californicum Asteraceae Eudicot Ann/Per Jan-July UPL
California buttercup Ranunculus californicus Ranunculaceae Eudicot Perennial Feb-May FAC
flowering currant Ribes sanguineum Grossulariaceae Eudicot Per/Shrub Jan-Mar FAC
spreading gooseberry Ribes divaricatum Grossulariaceae Eudicot Per/Shrub Mar-May FAC
California wild rose Rosa californica Rosaceae Eudicot Per/Shrub May-Aug FAC
California blackberry Rubus ursinus Rosaceae Eudicot Vine/Shrub Feb-May FACU
willow-leaved dock Rumex crassus Polygonaceae Eudicot Perennial Feb-July FAC
pickleweed Salicornia rubra Chenopodiaceae Eudicot Perennial July-Nov OBL
footsteps of spring Sanicula arctopoides Apiaceae Eudicot Perennial Feb-May UPL
Pacific sanicle Sanicula crassicaulis Apiaceae Eudicot Perennial Feb-Apr UPL
black elderberry Sambucus nigra Adoxaceae Eudicot Per/Shrub Mar-May FACU
Pacific red elderberry Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa Adoxaceae Eudicot Per/Shrub July-Aug FACU
bee plant Scrophularia californica Scrophulariaceae Eudicot Perennial Feb-May FAC
checkerbloom Sidalcea malviflora Malvaceae Eudicot Perennial May-Aug FACW
Western blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium bellum Iridaceae Monocot Perennial Mar-May Rhizomatous FACW
sticky sand spurry Spergularia macrotheca Caryophyllaceae Eudicot Perennial Feb-May FAC
California hedge nettle Stachys bullata Lamiaceae Eudicot Perennial Apr-Sept UPL
American black nightshade Solanum americanum Solanaceae Eudicot Ann/Per Mar-Nov FACU
bush seepweed Suaeda nigra Chenopodiaceae Eudicot Perennial May-Sept OBL
California aster Symphyotrichum chilense Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial July-Aug FAC
suncups Taraxia ovata Onagraceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Jun UPL
poison oak Toxicodendron diversilobum Anacardiaceae Eudicot Vine/Shrub Mar-Jun UPL
Fremont's star lily Toxicoscordion fremontii Melanthiaceae Monocot Perennial Mar-May UPL
tomcat clover Trifolium willdenovii Fabaceae Eudicot Annual Mar-Jun UPL
common cattail Typha latifolia Typhaceae Monocot Perennial May-June OBL
California nettle Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis Urticaceae Eudicot Perennial May-Sept FAC
hoary nettle Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea Urticaceae Eudicot Perennial Jun-Sept FAC
TREES:
California buckeye Aesculus californica Sapindaceae Eudicot Tree May-July UPL
California wax myrtle Morella californica Myricaceae Eudicot Tree/Shrub June-July
coast live oak Quercus agrifolia Fagaceae Eudicot Tree Feb-Apr
arroyo willow Salix lasiolepis Salicaceae Eudicot Tree/Shrub Feb-May FACW
Introduced Plant Species of Younger Lagoon Reserve
Grasses:
slender oat Avena barbata Poaceae Monocot Ann/Per Mar-June Moderate UPL
false brome Brachypoduim distachyon Poaceae Monocot Ann/Per Apr-July Moderate UPL
rescue grass Bromus catharticus Poaceae Monocot Ann/Per Feb-Mar UPL
ripgut brome Bromus diandrus Poaceae Monocot Annual Apr-June Moderate UPL
soft chess Bromus hordeaceus Poaceae Monocot Annual Apr-May Limited FACU
jubata grass Cortaderia jubata Poaceae Monocot Perennial Sept-Feb High FACU
dogtail grass Cynosurus echinatus Poaceae Monocot Annual May-July Moderate UPL
panic veldtgrass Ehrharta erecta Poaceae Monocot Perennial Mar-June Moderate UPL
rattail sixweek grass Festuca myuros Poaceae Monocot Perennial Feb-May Moderate FACU
Italian rye grass Festuca perennis Poaceae Monocot Perennial May-Sept FAC
velvet grass Holcus lanatus Poaceae Monocot Perennial Jun-Aug Moderate FAC
foxtail barley Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum Poaceae Monocot Annual Apr-July FAC
rabbits foot grass Polypogon monspeliensis Poaceae Monocot Annual May-June Limited FACW
HERBS & SHRUBS:
scarlet pimpernel Anagallis arvensis Myrinaceae Eudicot Annual Mar-Sept UPL
stinking pineapple weed Anthemis cotula Asteraceae Eudicot Annual May-Sept FACU
biennial wormwood Artemisia biennis Asteraceae Eudicot Ann/Bienn Sept-Nov FACW
fat-hen Atriplex prostrata Chenopodiaceae Eudicot Annual June-Sept FAC
common mustard Brassica rapa Brassicaceae Eudicot Annual Jan-June Limited FACU
black mustard Brassica nigra Brassicaceae Eudicot Annual Apr-July Moderate UPL
Italian thistle Carduus pycnocephalus Asteraceae Eudicot Annual Feb-July Moderate UPL
iceplant Carpobrotus edulis Aizoaceae Eudicot Perennial Fib-Oct High FAC
tocalote Centaurea melitensis Asteraceae Eudicot Annual Apr-Aug Moderate UPL
bull thistle Cirsium vulgare Asteraceae Eudicot Biennial June-Sept Moderate FACU
largeseed goosefoot Chenopodium macrospermum Chenopodiaceae Eudicot Annual Jul-Oct FACW
poison hemlock Conium maculatum Apiaceae Eudicot Eudicot Apr-Sept Moderate FACU
brass buttons Cotula coronopifolia Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial May-Oct Limited OBL
Fuller's teasel Dipsacus fullonum Dipsacaceae Eudicot Perennial June-Aug Moderate FAC
longbeak stork's bill Erodium botrys Geraniaceae Eudicot Annual Feb-May FACU
fennel Foeniculum vulgare Apiaceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Sept High UPL
French broom Genista monspessulana Fabaceae Eudicot Per/Shrub Mar-May High UPL
bristly ox-tonge Helminthotheca echioides Asteraceae Eudicot Annual June-Dec Limited FAC
bull mallow Malva nicaeensis Malvaceae Eudicot Annual Mar-May UPL
common horehound Marrubium vulgare Lamiaceae Eudicot Perennial May-Aug Limited FACU
pineapple weed Matricaria discoidea Asteraceae Eudicot Annual May-Sept FACU
bur clover Medicago polymorpha Fabaceae Eudicot Annual Feb-June Limited FACU
sourgrass Oxalis pes-caprae Oxalidaceae Eudicot Perennial Dec-June Moderate FAC
cut leaf plantain Plantago coronopus Plantaginaceae Eudicot Annual Apr-July FACW
prostrate knotweed Polygonum aviculare Polygonaceae Eudicot Annual June-Dec FAC
English plantain Plantago lanceolata Plantaginaceae Eudicot Perennial Mar-Aug Limited FACU
Jersey cudweed Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum Asteraceae Eudicot Annual Mar-Aug FACW
wild radish Raphanus sativus Brassicaceae Eudicot Annual Feb-July Limited UPL
Himalayan blackberry Rubus armeniacus Rosaceae Eudicot Shrub Apr-Aug High FACU
clustered dock Rumex conglomeratus Polygonaceae Eudicot Perennial May-Aug FACW
curly-leaved dock Rumex crispus Polygonaceae Eudicot Perennial All year Limited FAC
purple ragwort Senecio elegans Asteraceae Eudicot Annual Mar-June UPL
cape ivy Senecio mikanioides Asteraceae Eudicot Perennial Nov-Mar High UPL
black nightshade Solanum nigrum Solanaceae Eudicot Annual Mar-Oct FACU
sow thistle Sonchus asper ssp. asper Asteraceae Eudicot Annual Feb-Oct UPL
narrow leaved clover Trifolium angustifolium Fabaceae Eudicot Annual Apr-May UPL
spring vetch Vicia sativa Fabaceae Eudicot Ann/Vine Feb-June UPL
TREES:
Monterey cypress Hesperocyparis macrocarpa Cupressaceae Gymnosperm Tree