California coastal prairie

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California coastal prairie, also known as northern coastal grassland, is a grassland plant community of California and Oregon. It is found along the Pacific coast, from central California to southern Oregon. The strong winds and salt spray along the coast prevent the growth of trees and shrubs, perpetuating a community of grasses and other herbaceous plants. The accumulated organic matter from centuries produce a rich, dark prairie soil. Coastal prairie often forms a landscape mosaic with northern coastal scrub.

Characteristic species of this community include (Ornduff 2003):

• Perennial grasses (Danthonia, Festuca, etc.)
• Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum)
• Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana)
• Blue dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum)
• Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)

The endangered species Santa Cruz Tarweed (Holocarpha macradenia) is found in limited locations.

Unlike many other mediterranean climate grasslands, the mostly perennial grasses stay green all summer, which makes the coastal prairies attractive for grazing cattle and sheep. Other impacts to this plant community include agriculture and development.

[edit] References

• Ornduff, Robert. (2003) Introduction to California Plant Life. Revised by Phyllis M. Faber and Todd Keeler-Wolf. University of California Press.
• Plant Communities of Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz Chapter, California Native Plant Society.