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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii), Santa Monica Mountains
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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Plants
Pond at Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa

There are 12 communities derived from 26 vegetation associations identified by the California Natural Diversity Database classification system (Holland 1986). These include coastal salt marsh, coastal strand, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, coast live oak woodland, riparian woodland, valley oak savanna, freshwater ponds/lakes, rock outcrops, and suburban development.

Click here to download a checklist of the plants of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

 
Euphorbia teracina or Terracina Spurge grows rapidly and is a prolific seed producer, easily invading coastal scrub lands and out-competing native species for space.

Photo: NPS

Terracina Spurge (Euphorbia terracina)

However a battle to protect this ecosystem from invasive plants is being waged in the mountains. Noxious invasives commonly called weeds are still spreading through out the Santa Monica Mountains. Early dectection is key in preventing large ecosystem impact.

Download our free invasive weed field guide.
Click here (2MB)

 

 

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The need for plants used in restoration projects loomed large for many years, but volunteers made it happen.

Did You Know?
A core group of dedicated National Park volunteers, often laboring in the hot sun, built a native plant nursery from the ground up in 2002. Native plants, from the common Ceanothus to the endangered Lyons pygmy daisy germinated in this volunteer-run nursery will help restore disturbed habitat.
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Last Updated: December 13, 2009 at 15:46 MST