Coastal Prairie - Serpentine Grassland Community

Will Elder, NPS

 

Coastal Prairie was historically the most common plant community in San Francisco and the Presidio. This grass and herb community is found on coastal terraces where soils are well-developed. Serpentine grasslands have a similar composition to the coastal prairie, but have the addition of the rare serpentine endemic species listed below. Today, this community on the Presidio is mainly limited to the area around Inspiration Point.

Typical Sites at the Presidio: Some terrace areas at the top of the coastal bluffs and the Inspiration Point area.

Common Native Plants

Common Name	Scientific Name	Family
Coast Red Onion	Allium dichlamydeum	Liliaceae
Ithuriel's Spear	Triteleia laxa	Liliaceae
California Oatgrass	Danthonia californica	Poaceae
Blue Wild Rye	Elymus glaucus	Poaceae
Purple Needlegrass	Nassella pulchra	Poaceae

Rare and Endangered Plants

Common Name	Scientific Name	Family
San Francisco Gumplant	Grindelia hirsutula	Asteraceae
Marin Dwarf Flax	Hesperolinon congestum	Linaceae
Presidio Clarkia	Clarkia franciscana	Onagraceae
San Francisco Owl's Clover	Triphysaria floribunda	Scrophulariaceae

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