Last weekend, the Museum partnered with the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County and ecologist Jodi McGraw to host a wildflower walk at the Morgan Preserve in Scotts Valley. This special hike through the Santa Cruz Sandhills offered a look at a variety of wildflowers, many of which are endemic to this habitat.
Ben Lomond spineflower, a Sandhills endemic species (meaning that it can be found nowhere else in the world).
The Ben Lomond spineflower is a tiny plant that grows close to the ground, which is an adaptation to this hot, dry habitat. It is one of many plants in the area that are referred to as “belly plants” since you need to be on your belly to get a good look at them.
Santa Cruz wallflower, another endemic plant, is so rare that it is listed as 'endangered.'
Purple owl's clover
Chalcedon checkerspot butterfly, a frequent visitor to the Santa Cruz wallflower. The sandy background shows what the soil looks like throughout the Sandhills.
The Morgan Preserve is not accessible to the public, except during guided hikes and habitat restoration events – visit the Land Trust website for an event calendar and for information about lands that are open to the public. To find out more about the Sandhills habitat, including information about the flora and fauna that live there, visit santacruzsandhills.com
All photos courtesy of Tyler Karaszewski.
Thank you for posting on the Land Trust Facebook wall and thanks for offering these walks! The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is a great partner to us.