![]() | Field Notes (Continued) |
Tom Schweich |
![]() Topics in this Article: 1800s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 1991 1993 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2008 Tour de Swertia albomarginata Mono Lake, August 2008 2009 2010 2010s 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Contents Literature Cited |
When I first read the field notes of Annie Alexander and Louise Kellogg, I was fascinated by the descriptions they wrote about the places they went and the plants and animals they found there. By publishing my field notes on the Internet I hope to follow a little bit in their tradition. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2005
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Literature Cited:
Other articles: Field Notes Coll No. 357 Coll. No. 362
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Searching the Web for Phacelia crenulata found the following: | 1: Contact Dermatitis. 1980 Jun;6(4):272-4. Related Articles, Links A potent contact allergen of Phacelia (Hydrophyllaceae). The major contact allergen of Phacelia crenulata (Hydrophyllaceae) has been identified as geranylhydroquinone. A maximization test of geranylhydroquinone showed this to be a potent sensitizer comparable in degree to poison oak/ivy urushiol. Comparative patch testing on humans with urushiol established that the phacelia allergen does not cross-react with poison oak or ivy. PMID: 7398286 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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| Thursday, 24 March 2005.
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| Sunday, 17-Apr-05
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Today we drove to Atascadero from Alameda
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Other articles: CA Hwy 25 at Monterey Road
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At Monterey Road in Gilroy, we left Highway 101, and followed Monterey Road to its junction with Highway 25. On Highway 25 we passed through Hollister and Tres Pinos. We drove through Barado County Historical Park, but saw nothing to make us stop. After re-entering Highway 25, we passed by the San Benito County Fair Grounds.
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Other articles:
CA Hwy 25
Paicines
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At Paicines we looked at the winery building footings to see if we could see some that were being shifted by the San Andreas Fault. We didn’t. Later, I learned that this was the wrong winery. We should have stopped at the Almaden Cienega Winery near Hollister.
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Other articles:
CA Hwy 25
67700
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I stopped to take this photo as a good example of hummocky terrain resulting from repeated landslides. It is likely that the sliding occurred during frequent earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault.
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Other articles:
CA Hwy 25
67850
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Between Willow Creek and Pinnacles the road climbs westerly out of the San Benito River canyon and away from the trace of the San Andreas fault. However, this little valley is itself very linear and aligned with the San Andreas Fault. It passes the Bear Valley Fire Control Station, and then descends gently past Schmidt Ranch to Pinnacles.
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Other articles:
CA Hwy 25
67900
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Looking the other way, down the valley, and to the southeast.
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Other articles:
CA Hwy 25
at CA Hwy 146
68065
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We started to drive into Pinnacles National Monument, but when we learned that you have to park outside the park and take a shuttle bus in, we decided to skip to monument for this trip. Instead a few miles south we stopped along the road for lunch. Here we had a good view of some shutter ridges and a sag pond along the fault.
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Other articles: Old Hernandez Road at San Benito Lateral
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A little further on, we saw a road to the east signed “San Benito Lateral.” We took it and soon came to a fork with Old Hernandez Road and __________ Road. We took Old Hernandez Road as it led south, the general direction of our travel.
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About 1.6 miles (2.0 km) east of the San Benito townsite, Old Hernandez Road climbs up onto a small bluff. From this vantage point we can look back toward the townsite. This photograph is looking down river. The pinkish trees along the river are tamarisk.
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Other articles:
Old Hernandez Road
at Sulfur Spring
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We saw this spring along side the road. Thinking it might be hot or warm, I walked up to check the water. However, the water was cold, even though it smelled moderately of sulfur.
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At first it was paved, but soon it became dirt, and at one point we had to ford the San Benito River. This ford was a bit deeper than we thought, and we were surprised when the nose of the 4 Runner dipped into the water. Regardless, we made it through, and up the bank on the other side.
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Other articles:
Old Hernandez Road
at End of Pavement
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When we reached the pavement at the other end, there was a “Road Closed” sign. But it must have been intended for people traveling in the opposite direction.
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Other articles:
Coalinga Road
near Old Hernandez Road
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At Coalinga Road, we looked east …
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Other articles:
Coalinga Road
near Old Hernandez Road
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… and west.
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From Old Hernandez Road and Coalinga Road, we back tracked a few miles to Highway 25, and then continued south through Bitterwater.
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Other articles: CA Hwy 25 at La Laguna Vieja Rancho Locations:
Bitterwater Lake.
La Laguna Vieja Rancho.
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Just south of Bitterwater, in Bitterwater Valley, is Bitterwater Lake. I'm guessing someone thought the water was bitter. Gudde (1969) notes at least fifty locations, lakes, and streams in California with a reference to bitterness of the water. "Amargosa" also refers to bitterness of the water, although modern Spanish uses "amargo" or "amargado" for the adjective "bitter." The location of Bitterwater Lake is also occupied by La Laguna Vieja Rancho.
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At the end of Highway 25, where it dead ends into Highway 198, we jogged over to Peach Tree Valley road and continued south on that one.
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Other articles: Lewis Creek Road 30000 31000 Locations:
Lewis Creek.
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Other articles: CA Hwy 25 88800 Locations:
Peachtree Valley.
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We returned to Highway 25, where it swings west of the fault through Lonoak.
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Other articles: CA Hwy 198 near Peach Tree Road 20120 Peach Tree Road 10010 Locations:
Peachtree Valley.
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Other articles:
Indian Valley Road
10000
Peach Tree Road
90000
Field Notes
20040418090
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The stopped for this photo at the intersection of Peach Tree Road and Indian Valley Road.
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The fish is still hanging in the oak tree on Indian Valley Road, although weathering a bit now.
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Other articles:
Indian Valley Road
60000
Field Notes
20040418105
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In Indian Valley the hills were still a lush green, compared to last year when they were beginning to turn brown.
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Across the Salinas River from San Miguel, we thought to take River Road all the way into Paso Robles. Unfortunately, it is closed, or so the sign says, so we had to detour via Estrella Road and Airport Road.
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| Monday, 18-Apr-05
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Today we stayed around the Atascadero – Paso Robles area.
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| Tuesday, 19-Apr-05
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Today, we drove to Zzyzx from Atascadero.
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Got coffee at Jack’s, took a photo of the hot spring.
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In Paso Robles, we crossed the river on 13th Street that becomes Creston Road. We followed Creston Road until it becomes La Panza Road, where it crosses Highway 41. From La Panza Road, we joined Highway 58, and continued on to Shell Creek.
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Other articles: Shell Creek Road n. of Shell Ck at Shell Creek tree s. of Shell Ck Locations:
Shell Creek.
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Other articles: California Highway 58 28495 28505 Locations:
San Joaquin Valley.
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Locations:
Desert Tortoise Natural Area.
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We proceeded to California City, where we got gas (for the car), and then continued to the Desert Tortoise Natural Area. It was cool and quite windy there and, while we took several trails, we saw no tortoises. From the desert tortoise Natural Area, we took back roads to Twenty Mule Team Parkway, which eventually led us to US Highway 395. Between the “golf ball” and the prison, we stopped once to look at flowers, which were nice, but not spectacular. At California Highway 58 in Kramer Junction, we turned left and continued through Barstow on US I-15.
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Other articles:
Interstate 15
at Afton Cyn Rd
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We had dinner at the Mad Greek in Baker, and then returned to the Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx.
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| Wednesday, 20-Apr-05
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Today we collected in the Mesquite Mountains.
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It is 5 miles to I-15 from Zzyzx, 7 miles on I-15 to Baker, and 44 miles on I-15 and Kingston Road to Winters Pass.
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Other articles:
Kingston Road
87000
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As we came over a rise on Kingston Road, we were treated to an excellent view of Shadow Valley, the Mesquite Mountains, and Mt. Charleston in the distance.
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Other articles: Kingston Road at Winters Pass Hills Field Notes 20 Apr 04 Coll No 341 Locations:
Goldhammer Mine.
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We stopped on Kingston Road, opposite the Winters Pass Hills, and walked over to south slopes of Winters Pass Hills, elevation 990 m (3500 ft) looking for Lilac Sunbonnet (Langloisia setosissima ssp. punctata). I had collected some here last year. However, there were none to be found. Here and there, I found some tiny bristly plants that I assumed were emerging L. setosissima. I'm thinking that the 20th of April 2004 was just about perfect in terms of a full bloom of the species. However, this year, the 20th of April 2005 was much too early, because the early Spring was cool and cloudy. As a comparison, on 24 April 2005 we found Lilac Sunbonnet in full bloom at the Goldhammer Mine, which is 100 km (62 mi) south, at elevation 675 m (2280 ft), which is 215 m (1220 ft) lower in elevation.
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Locations: Winters Pass.
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From Winters Pass we walked about 1 ½ miles south along a ridge, climbing to 1250 m from 1175 m in the process. We stopped at the base of the limestone hills. Collections 440 through 450 were made along this ridge.
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440
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Linanthus demissus (A. Gray) E. Greene, growing in open areas, common.
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441
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Menodora spinescens. This plant was in bloom and fruit, so it was a good find for collecting. 3
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442
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Coleogyne ramosissima. One bush, many flowers, Common. 3 labels.
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443
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Phacelia fremontii Torr. Growing around and under a Joshua tree.
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444
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| G. cana (M.E. Jones) A. Heller Desert Gilia, Showy Gilia Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. On the ridge east of Winters Pass, approximately 500 m from Kingston Road. 35.6916°N, 115.6984°W. WGS1984 Elev. 1182 m. Growing in gravel on southeast facing slope. Coll. No. 444, keyed 11 Jan 2013, characters observed: Annual from stout tap root, green, photosynthetic; Leaves alternate, largest 1 cm. wide, oblanceolate, pinnate-divided; Inflorescence open, not coiled, not unrolling, parts in 5s; Pedicels 1-3 mm., axillary pedicels > calyx; Calyx lobes 5, 3 mm., tips pointed but not bristly, lobes fused by thin translucent membrane; Corolla tube (purple) 6 mm., + throat (yellow, wider near mouth) 3 mm. + lobes (5, equal, truncate acuminate) 5 mm = 14 mm.; Ovary 1, entire, style clearly attached to top; Stigmas 3; Stamens 5, alternate, = corolla lobes, all fertile; Filaments free, fused to corolla at base of lobes; Seeds not gelatinous when wet (per Aliciella). The seeds must have been gelatinous when wet, and I did not recognize it, as I have been advised this is a Gilia and not an Aliciella.
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Other articles:
Kingston Road
just s. of Winters Pass
445
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Pectocarya platycarpa (Munz & I.M. Johnst.) Munz & I.M. Johnst. Broad-Fruited Combseed
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Other articles:
Kingston Road
just s. of Winters Pass
445.1
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Pectocarya heterocarpa (I.M. Johnst.) I.M. Johnst. Mixed-Nut Combseed.
| Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. On a ridge east of Winters Pass, approximately 600 m from Kingston Road. 35.692°N, 115.6972°W. WGS 1984. Elev. 1183 m. Found in Coll. No. 445, of P. platycarpa. Coll. No. 445.1, 20 April 2005, characters observed while keying: Annual, to 10 cm., densely branched at base; Pedicel, in fruit, partly fused to one nutlet; Calyx bilateral; Sepals unequal, upper 2 > others; Style 1, simple, attached to receptacle; Stigma 1; Nutlets 4, mature spreading widely, margins, basal nutlet margins less ornamented than cauline,
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Other articles:
Kingston Road
just s. of Winters Pass
446
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Eriogonum, growing in loosened soil adjacent to a large shrub, perhaps dug up previously by animals.
| Eriogonum maculatum A. Heller. Spotted Buckwheat. Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. On the ridge east of Winters Pass, approximately 700 m from Kingston Road. 35.6926°N, 115.6963°W. WGS 1984. Elev. 1190 m. Growing in gravel on southeast facing slope. Coll. No. 446, 29 Mar 2012, characters observed while keying: Annual herb; Leaves basal and cauline, bracts present, but not as obviously dark as some collections; Involucle peduncled, smooth (not ribbed or angled), puberulent, lightly glandular; Stipe 0; Perianth lobes not alike, basal lobes inflated; Stamens included.
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447
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Chylismia claviformis × brevipes (Torr. & Frém.) A. A. Heller. Browneyes.
| Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. On the ridge east of Winters Pass, approximately 800 m from Kingston Road. 35.693°N, 115.6954°W. WGS1984 Elev. 1192 m. Growing in gravel on limestone ridge in, and adjacent to, small shrubs. Coll. No. 447, keyed 11 Dec 2012, characters observed: Annual, to 40-45 cm, day blooming; Stem 5 mm diameter, not wand-like, spreading hairs and few glandular hairs proximally, to glabrous distally; Stipules absent; Leaves mainly basal, pinnately lobed with large terminal lobe; Inflorescence from distal lobes; Sepals 11 mm, tips free in bud, remaining fused in pairs when flower opens, deciduous after flowering; Hypanthium 6.5 mm.; Petals 11 mm x 16 mm wide, yellow; Anthers 8; Ovary tip projection 0; Style 13 mm, exceeding anthers; Stigma 2 mm, ball-shaped, exserted; Fruit to 50 mm x 3.0-3.5 mm wide, wider toward the tip, 4-chambered, ? Row(s) per chamber; Seeds 2 mm x 1.2 mm wide, glabrous, not hair-tufted, ovate, flattened. Keys easily to Chylismia claviformis, but not to subspecies. 11 Oct 2013: Per Andy Sanders, this collection is a hybrid between C. brevipes and claviformis -- the large yellow fls. and very elongate frt. are brevipes characters.
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These flower buds on the Camissonia were extremely hairy.
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448
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Oxytheca perfoliata Torr. & A. Gray. Very small, red, growing in open areas.
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449
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Opuntia basilaris, flowers. Occasional, not common.
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450
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Tiquilia canescens (DC.) A. T. Richardson var. canescens, Woody Crinklemat, found growing out of flat-lying limestone outcrops, at the highest point of our walk
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We went to the top of the first hill at the end of the ridge. Here we took a short break, and then headed back to the car.
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Also observed: |
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Other articles: Kingston Road near Excelsior Mine Rd Locations:
Clark Mountain.
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Our way back to Zzyzx the afternoon sun lit up the Kingston Range and Clark Mountain.
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Locations:
Soda Springs Desert Studies Center.
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Back at Soda Springs Desert Studies Center, we cleaned up a bit and relaxed. Then, being basically lazy, drove into Baker to have dinner at the Mad Greek.
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Locations:
Soda Springs Desert Studies Center.
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Back at the Soda Springs Desert Studies Center at Zzyzx, we cleaned up a bit and then relaxed on the lanai of our luxury hotel …
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Locations:
Soda Springs Desert Studies Center.
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… while watching the sun set over Soda Lake …
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Locations:
Soda Springs Desert Studies Center.
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… then we dressed for dinner at the Mad Greek in Baker.
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| Thursday, 21-Apr-05
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Other articles: Field Notes 21-Apr-05 at end of old road Locations:
Mesquite Valley.
Sandy.
Spring Mountains.
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451
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Small white Gilia, in the saddle on buff-colored platy limestone.
| Gilia aliquanta A. D. Grant & V. E. Grant ssp. aliquanta. Puff Calyx Gilia. Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. In saddle, 2.75 km east of Winters Pass. 35.6901°N, 115.6723°W. WGS 1984. Elev. 1304 m. Growing in a buff-colored limestone gravel. Coll. No. 451, keyed 11 Jan 2013, characters observed: Annual, from stout taproot, to 15 cm.; Leaves basal and cauline, Basal leaves, pinnate lobed, sharp pointed, hairs non-glandular; Cauline leaves, different, terminal leaflet > lateral leaflet; Pedicel 1-8 mm. (with open flowers); Calyx 2.5 mm., nearly glabrous, some purple color (faded), fused membraneous, puffed (hard to see on pressed surfaces, look on unpressed sides of calices); Stamens = corolla lobes; Seeds >1 per chamber, light brown (greenish), gelatinous when wet.
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452
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Small Phacelia, in the saddle on buff-colored platy limestone.
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Other articles:
Kingston Road
near Winters Pass
453
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Nicotiana, on steep southeast-facing slope, among large dark-colored limestone boulders.
| Nicotiana obtusifolia Martens & Galeotti. Desert Tobacco. Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. In dark limestone boulders, on a steep, southeast-facing slope, near top of Mesquite Mountains, 2.9 km eastnortheast of Winters Pass. 35.6957°N, 115.6719°W. WGS1984 Elev. 1397 m. Coll. No. 453, 21 Apr 2013, characters observed while keying: Perennial herb to 50 cm; Leaves, ±clasping (on the verge of sessile), definitely none petioled; Calyx, bell-shaped, sepals fused 8 mm + 5 lobes 6 mm × 8 mm dia., lobes equal; Corolla, 18-20 mm, limb 12 mm, open during day.
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Other articles:
Kingston Road
near Winters Pass
454
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Galium stellatum Kellogg. Starry Bedstraw. Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. Among boulders in dark limestone, west-facing slope, near top of Mesquite Mountains. 35.6965°N, 115.6721°W. WGS1984 Elev. 1409 m. Coll. No. 454, 21 April 2005, characters observed while keying: Perennial, to 30 cm.; Stem, woody, 10 cm. or more; Leaves, whorls of 4, widest below middle, sharp at tip; Inflorescence, crowded; Corolla, 4-lobed; Fruit, 3.0-4.0 mm., incl. hairs, hairs dense, straight, white.
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Other articles:
Kingston Road
near Winters Pass
455
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So much for field guesses, this one turned out to be: Hedeoma nana (Torr.) Briq. ssp. californica W. S. Stewart. California Mock Pennyroyal. Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. Among boulders in dark limestone, west-facing slope, near top of Mesquite Mountains. 35.6947°N, 115.6721°W. WGS1984 Elev. 1409 m. Coll. No. 455, 21 April 2013, characters observed while keying: Perennial herb, woody at base, to 13 cm., (subshrub); Stem 4-angled, recurved short hairy throughout; Leaves opposite, petiole 1 mm. + blade 4.5 mm. × 2.5 mm. wide, ovate, short hairy, margin entire, abaxially glandular; Inflorescence axillary; Bract, 1 mm., hairy (not spiny); Pedicels 2 mm.; Calyx 4.5 mm., tubular, 3 lobes > other 2, in fruit, lobes variously curved but not converging, throat ±open; Corolla, 2-lipped, 7 mm.; (Style, should be unequally 2-lobed, but unable to see); Stamens 2, staminodes 0; Anthers, fertile sacs 2.
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Other articles:
Kingston Road
near Winters Pass
456
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Orobanche cooperi (A. Gray) A. Heller. Burro Weed Strangler. Mesquite Mountains, San Bernardino County, California. Among boulders in dark limestone, west-facing slope, near top of Mesquite Mountains. 35.6965°N, 115.6721°W. WGS1984 Elev. 1409 m. Coll. No. 456, 21 April 2005, characters observed while keying: Non-photosynthetic parasitic herb to 12 cm.; Root attachment unknown; Inflorescence dense, 2.0-3.5 cm. wide; Pedicel 5 mm.; Bractlets, 2, 8 mm., narrow; Calyx, fused 5 mm. + free 6 mm. = 11 mm., divided ±equally; Corolla, 20 mm., constricted at middle, lacking a ring of hairs at base of filaments; Anthers, sparsely hairy; Stigma lobes 2, thin, recurved.
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Other articles:
Field Notes
21-Apr-05 at summit of Mesquite Mtns
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From the top of the mountain, I returned to the south, passing by the east side of the ridge. When I reached the saddle, I turned west along the old road to Winters Pass, where I left the car. From this valley I could see the buff-colored limestone where there were so many different species of plants.
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Other articles: Kingston Road near Winters Pass Locations:
Mesquite Mountains.
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Back at the car, I put my collections into the press and then, after looking back at the peak where I had been, I drove back to Zzyzx.
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| Friday, 22-Apr-05
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Papers in the Research Center
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| Saturday, 23-Apr-05
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Saturday was cool and windy.
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After the papers were presented, we went on a short field trip. The original plan was a field trip to Salt Springs to see Emmet Harder’s mine. However, there was some sort of desert run event that left Baker and traveled north on the same highway we needed to use, CA Hwy 127. As an alternative, we shifted some of Monday’s stops to Saturday, i.e, the Valley Wells smelter, and the arrastres near Halloran Spring.
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At the Valley Wells smelter, we looked at the foundations and tried to guess how they processed the ore. We also noticed the “dug-out” shelters that were dug by the smelter workers under the caliche layer. Some rooms were as large 12 feet across, and carefully squared. The opening was covered by wood, and some had holes in the roof for a stove pipe.
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