NEWSLETTER

April - May 2009

Upcoming Monthly Programs

Monday, April 6 Doors open 7:15 Program starts 7:30 PM

Ecosystem Rehabilitation Project at Machado Lake
Speaker: Kurt Campbell, Senior Biologist with Jones & Stokes and Wendy Katagi, Principal, CDM

On November 2, 2004, the voters of Los Angeles overwhelmingly passed Proposition O, a $500 bond
issue for open space improvement projects. Out of the $500 million authorized, a total of $117 million has
been committed to Machado Lake and the Wilmington Drain, which form an interconnected open space in
and around the 241-acre Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park.

The lake and park are important recreational and natural area resources for South Bay residents who
have used the area for bird watching, hiking and other natural experiences. The Ecosystem
Rehabilitation Project is currently in the planning and design phase, and our input will help steer the
project towards a more natural outcome. For example, it is possible that the 20-acre Wilmington Drain
could be a native plant habitat that supports the Least Bell’s Vireo, a locally endangered bird.

Please join us!

Location: South Coast Botanical Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula,
Classroom closest to the garden entrance
Monday, May 4 Doors Open at 7:15 Program starts at 7:30 PM
California Wildflowers
Speaker: Richard Minnich, Professor UCR

In his new book, California's Fading Wildflowers Lost Legacy and Biological Invasions, our speaker
discusses the dramatic transformation of California's wildflower prairies. He examines the changes in the
state's landscape over the past three centuries and how invading plant species have devastated our
botanical heritage. Join us for this interesting discussion that may change your view of native California.

Location: South Coast Botanical Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula,
Classroom closest to the garden entrance

Point Vicente Native Plant Garden

Scenic Gardening Day

Date: April 11, other Dates to be Determined
Point Vicente Interpretive Center - 31501 Palos Verdes Dr. W., Rancho Palos Verdes

Help us maintain our lovely native plant garden at the Point Vicente Native Plant Garden in Rancho Palos
Verdes overlooking the ocean. Our gardening days are always fun, and it is a great way to get to know
each other better.

Our first scheduled gardening day is Saturday, April 11 - starting from 9 am until about noon. We want to
make sure our garden looks its best in time for our Garden Tour. We will schedule additional times
based on what needs to be done and what the weather conditions are. Times will be scheduled for both
weekday and weekend gardening. Check our website for schedule updates.

If you are interested in volunteering at this garden overlooking the ocean and would like to be on our
email distribution list please call Barbara at (310) 831-0032 or send email to bsattler@igc.org.
 The 15th annual Spring Garden Tour
Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 9am or 1pm

©Babara Sattler 2009

Astragalus trichopodus, Rattlepod

Featuring:
o High above the ocean, the Point Vicente Native Plant garden is a great example of native plants
that will thrive under harsh conditions. This educational garden is designed, planted, and
maintained by the South Coast Chapter of C.N.P.S.

o The California native garden of Noel and Diana Park is an example of using natives instead of the
common front lawn. A wide variety of California natives, including buckwheats, aromatic salvias,
succulents and ornamental grasses provide interesting texture and foliage color in this two year
old garden.

o Altamira Ranch is a residence high on the bluffs above Portuguese Bend. Commanding
awesome coastline and Catalina views, the extensive California native garden is designed to
blend with the native vegetation of the southern slopes of the Peninsula. The garden was
featured in the Nov/Dec.'08 issue of Garden Design magazine.

Ric Dykzeul and Tony Baker, both local landscape consultants/designers, will lead the tour
discussing the plant material and answering your questions. The tour will take approximately 2 ½
hours.

Reservations: 310-629-0500. The number of participants is limited.

Fee: $ 20.00 for members of CNPS, $25.00 for non-members.
Rain will cancel. Tickets are non-refundable.
 Madrona Marsh Events

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

CA Native Seasonings and Condiments
Saturday, April 4, 10:00-noon; repeats Tues. Apr. 7, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Dr. Connie Vadheim (CSU Dominguez Hills) will discuss gourmet seasonings & condiments of the
gardening series Featured will be native plants that can be used to season and enhance your food and
recipes for their use. Classes include a walk in the Madrona Native Plant Gardens, where students can
see the featured plants. Free.

Clay and Hummingbirds –

Saturday, May 2, 10:00-noon; repeats Tues. May 5, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Gardening on Clay Soils, with an Emphasis on Hummingbird Plants. Free

Tour de Torrance
Tuesday, May 5 and 19. 8:30 to 10:00 A.M.
This is a recurring event every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesday of the month.
Walk with David Moody and Ron Melin, as they point out birds at the Preserve, as well as other City parks
around the South Bay, where they regularly bird and keep records of bird sightings. Free.

Fourth Weekend Nature Walk

Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24 - 10:00 A.M.
Enjoy this 50 acre nature Preserve in the urban setting of Torrance. Native plants make a green carpet
with the winter rain. Ducklings may be seen trailing after females. Free

Night Hike
Saturday , May 30 - 6:30 to 8:30 P.M.
Enjoy a relaxing evening stroll on the Preserve. Watch the sun set and moon rise.
The fee is $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family to the first 25 who register.

Madrona Marsh Nature Center is located at 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance (310-782-3989)

Native Plant Restoration at CSU Dominguez Hills

Afternoons at the Creek

Come, learn about our great native plants, help make the CSUDH campus ‘greener’ and enjoy new
friends in the out-of-doors. The ground may be either hard or muddy, so boots or sensible shoes would
be wise. Also bring work gloves and a shovel (if you have them) - we have some, but not enough for
everyone. It's always a good idea to bring a hat, wear sunscreen and bring water to drink. You will be
parking right next to the restoration site, so you'll have ready access to your car.

Meet at the Restoration site, which is at the south end of Lot 7 on the CSUDH campus.

Fri. 4/10/09 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Sun. 4/19/09 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Fri. 4/24/09 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Sun. 4/26/09 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Additional days will be scheduled for May, depending on the weather.

 George F Canyon
First Saturday Hikes – 1 PM
May 2, June 6
Come join our expert guide for a lovely morning hike. $3 per person will bring you into a wonderful world
of curiosity and discovery. The guide will answer questions on habitat, geology, drainage, wildlife, folklore
and more. Allow 2 hours for this walk.

Canyon Night Hikes – Times TBA

Approximate dates: April 9, May 9, June 7
Held on or near a full moon evening, this walk will bring you to the top of the canyon for a fantastic view of
city lights below. The two-mile round trip hike will experience nocturnal delights as well as a 300 ft. rise in
elevation. Lots of fun!! Bring a flashlight. $7 per person. Children must be at least 8 years old. Guide will
take you on a gentle walk and introduce you to the natural history of one of the Peninsula's most beautiful
canyons at night. Poison oak which is common near the stream bed will be identified. Please allow 2
hours for the walk. RESERVATIONS A MUST AS THIS WALK IS LIMITED TO 20 PERSONS. Actual
dates may vary.

George F. Canyon is located at the southwest corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos Verdes Drive
North, 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates (310) 547-0862. The Nature Center is open
Friday 1 pm - 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 4 pm, other days by appointment.

Theodore Payne Foundation

Wildflower Hotline for Southern California
The Theodore Payne Foundation (TPF) is a non-profit California native plant nursery, seed source, and
education center in Sun Valley. Each spring TPF runs a native wildflower hotline covering areas in
southern and central California. 2009 marks the 27th year for the wildflower hotline, which runs from
March through May. Every Friday a new announcement is recorded on a call-in number (818-768-3533)
and posted to TPF's website (http://www.theodorepayne.org/hotline.html).

To coordinate this effort, Marie Massa compiles reports from various docents, park rangers, and
wildflower enthusiasts to create a comprehensive announcement for wildflower viewing. Each week she is
looking for a brief report of what is blooming along roads and/or trails in the different parks or natural
areas. If any CNPS members or volunteers have reports of native wildflowers in southern California, she
would like to include their reports in the hotline announcement. To submit a report during the flowering
season, email Marie by Wednesday for inclusion in that week's report.

The website announcement also includes information about events specific chapters may be having in
southern California as well as links to CNPS-chapter websites.

If you are interested please contact Marie Massa (flowerhotline@theodorepayne.org)

Web page: www.theodorepayne.org
 Where Has All the Pashi Gone?
by Ivan Snyder

Those of you that don't already know me, I am Officer of Rare Plants for the CNPS South Coast
Chapter. For me, especially interesting plants have a mystery attached to them which I can investigate
myself. Paleoethnobotany, a special interest of mine, is what makes our plant of focus particularly
fascinating. The historical narrative tells of a once highly regarded abundant species in Palos Verdes
which has become rare. I have a hunch there was once a variety of the plant in the area which has now
disappeared. Fortunately, the species to which the variety belongs still exists in PV so that we have
surviving examples to study.
Sunday morning October 8, 1542, explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and crew arrived in the San Pedro
bay. The Palos Verdes hills and bay were so enshrouded by smoke they named it Bahia de los Fumos or
"Bay of Smokes." Being that it was October, the fires were not likely caused by dry lightning strikes which
typically occur in the Summer months. October is the time of year when the rains begin and the best time
to set fire to the brush in a primitive agricultural method known as firestick farming.
It is recorded that in California firestick farming was extensively practiced in the Southwest before the
native tribes lost their ancestral culture. To harvest the seed a basket and seed beater were used. After
harvesting, the bushland was set afire. This made the land more productive. Fire removes competing
weed plants and the ash produced fertilizes the soil. Seed of select plants were broadcast after the
burning. As evidence of the previous domesticated landscape are large stands of Oracle Cactus (Opuntia
oricola) centered around old village sites in PV and elsewhere. This cactus species is known to be more
fire resistant than the Opuntia litoralis more common elsewhere.
One select plant of the firestick farmers in the area was our fire-following plant Pashi. Nowadays we all
know Pashi as seed of the Chia plant (Salvia columbariae); Famous in more recent times for another use,
the Chia Pet. Ancestors of the Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe (greater Los Angeles area) did not likely keep
Chia Pets. Acorns, which were a staple elsewhere, were apparently not available in the PV vicinity. Pashi
was the favored local staple and is very nutritious and tastes delicious.
Seed of the store-bought Chia Pet is actually from a related cultivated species from Central America
known as Salvia hispanica. In Mexico, Chia has been grown along cultivated fields since preColumbian
times. Chiapas got its name from Chia where it was extensively produced for pinole and atole dishes.
Chia Fresca is a traditional beverage of lemonade with Chia. It would be fun to try Chia Fresca with
Lemonade Berry rather than lemon. You may also have heard of chipata bread; also made of Chia. Since
the 1960s there has been a growing interest in Chia as a health food. Seed of a number of different plants
are used as Chia. However, these, such as White Sage (S. apiana) and others in Southern California are
not nearly as productive seedwise as S. columbariae. In addition to the seed, leaves of our native S.
columbariae can be used the same as regular herb sage.
An example of how essential Pashi was to people of the time is found on the Channel Islands as bags
of the seed by the pound in burials. Pashi was said to be the best traveler's food and was also used as a
charm. I assume the bags of seed were offered to the dead for their journey in the afterlife. Today the
species is rare in the Palos Verdes area. The anthropological record shows the plant was much more
prevalent in times past. Where did all the Pashi in PV go? My guess is it disappeared with the people that
tended it.
Sites of former Native American villages are reported to host dense stands of S. columbariae.
However, nowhere is it presently seen in quantity high enough for the sustainable subsistence that must
have previously been. The critical mass needed for such explosive proliferation is apparently only
attainable by human assistance. If I had the opportunity I would like to have a look at the seed found at
archeological sites to compare with living samples for tell-tale signs of domestication. These include seed
size, color, and fast germination.
Another common name for our native chia is Golden Chia. In some areas the seed is a golden color as
it has lost the typical dark pigment. This may be a relic cultivar gone feral. Indian Corn is likewise
unnaturally colored. S. columbariae rarely grows larger than one foot tall. In the Sonoran Desert is a
larger variant of S. columbariae having larger seed which is more sought after by the local people.
Perhaps that same larger variety once existed in our area. The tallest plants I've personally seen were in
Topanga. Some of these plants reached the height of about 20 inches given in the Jepson Manual
description. At the north end of Topanga was a Chumash village. I like to think of these plants as
surviving members of the long gone village.
 Although not through intentional breeding, I suspect such larger plants may have increased in size as
a product of artificial selection. This could happen quickly through introgression with related Salvia
species. S. x bernardina is a natural hybrid between S. columbariae and Black Sage S. mellifera
appearing in areas after wildfires. Prolonged intensive firestick farming prac tices and unnatural selection
would inevitably lead to variations specially adapted to this unnatural niche. The Pashi nowadays found in
PV is the typical small variety. If ever there was a crop of a larger variety in the area, it could only exist
here with the help of people. Untended, the agricultural variety went extinct. The remnants have reverted
back to the typical small form of the species adapted to the local natural environment. Any plants that
might still contain vestiges of domestication are most likely to be in the larger populations centered
around archeological village sites.
S. columbariae has disappeared from the two sites in PV Angelica Brinkman gave me and one of the
two sites Tony Baker knew of. Cheers to Tony for relocating Pashi a short distance away to his property
above Portuguese Bend. The species grows well in pots and I have a second generation of Chia Pets
now from seed I originally collected in Topanga. Village names add to the wonder of a plant and are good
for pot tags. The area of the sites Angelica and Tony gave me may have been the lost village of
Tovemungna. Tony's Tovemungna plants would be a delight to grow and study while I time travel in my
imagination to the world as it was during Cabrillo's visit; --the heyday of firestick farming.

Chia Flower © Ivan Snyder 2009

 Chia Flower © Ivan Snyder 2009

Statement on Native Plants and Fire Safety for 2009

The California Native Plant Society is very concerned about the unnecessary destruction of thousands of
acres of California’s native plant heritage for the purpose of wildfire fuel management. CNPS recognizes
that our state contains large areas that are among the most fire-prone environments on Earth due to the
convergence of climatic and topographic conditions. As the human population has increased, more
residences have been sited in the highest wildfire danger areas, increasing the number of ignition and
fire-carrying sources. In some areas, shortened fire-return cycles have converted native plant
communities to invasive non-native grasslands, which in turn provide faster burning fuels and contain very
little habitat value. In other areas, fire-suppression has caused a lengthened fire-return cycle, which can
allow an accumulation of dead material and increased the likelihood of high-intensity fires.

The California Native Plant Society supports:

• Fuel management plans that minimize the risk to human life and property while maximizing
protection of native plants and their habitats. These plans should be locally-adapted, scientifically-
supported, and account for all combustible materials, including building materials, ornamental
vegetation, and adjacent plant communities.
• Building codes and ordinances that require structures in high fire risk areas to be constructed,
retrofitted, and maintained using materials and practices that minimize the ignition and spread of
fire.
• The creation of laws, regulations and land use policies that discourage new development in areas
of highest fire danger.
 Meet the South Coast CNPS Chapter Officers
Elected Officers

David Berman - President / Web Master

2009 is David’s second year as a CNPS board member and his first year as president. He is responsible
for updating the SCCNPS website. He is interested in gardening with native plants and has used native
plants extensively in his home garden. He also serves as a volunteer naturalist for the Palos Verdes
Peninsula Land Conservancy. David enjoys spending time in his magnificent native plant habitat on the
peninsula.

David Sundstrom - Vice President / Conservation Committee / Chapter Council Alternate Delegate
David grew up in Southern California and one of his fond memories is the scent of California Sage while
hiking in the local hills as a kid. Not surprisingly, much of his adult life has been devoted to the
conservation and restoration of open space. While living in Long Beach, he was appointed to chair the
environmental element of Strategic Plan 2010, which established sustainability policies including Green
Building and Green Landscape Standards. David has been a member of CNPS since 1997 and has
served on the Board of the South Coast Chapter since 2004. He has testified on behalf of the Chapter at
various meetings regarding the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. He believes “great things happen
automatically when you create a healthy environment.”

Lynn McLeod - Secretary/Treasurer

Lynn was born and raised on the peninsula. Following education and career paths that took her to Santa
Barbara and Orange County, she was able to return to the house where she was raised, a place she’s
always loved dearly, after her mother died at age 90. She’s kept the native trees that have grown up over
the years – toyon and Catalina cherry and oak - and has been able to put in some other smaller natives –
grasses, yarrow, beach strawberry, yerba buena and ceanothus, among others. “I can’t wait for those
blue flowers!” Lynn does not consider herself someone who has a lot of knowledge or experience with
native plants in particular or botany in general, so she feels she is in a good position to say that this is a
great organization for people who have an interest in native plants and an inclination to support their
increased use in our gardens, public spaces and the larger environment.

Ric Dykzeul - Horticulture/Plant Sale Coordinator

A native of the P.V. peninsula, Ric grew up exploring the canyons of Rolling Hills enjoying the native
vegetation and wildlife. A member of the South Coast Chapter of C.N.P.S. since it's inception in the early
80's. He has helped the society in the following capacities: past president, coordinator for the fall plant
sales and spring garden tours. Involved with the design, installation, and maintenance of the native
garden at Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center. Ric has a B.S. degree in ornamental Horticulture from Cal
Poly San Luis Obispo ('79).He worked 20 years at the Palos Verdes Begonia Farm as a California
Certified Nurseryman and plant Buyer. He taught the 'Successful Gardening' class at the South Coast
Botanic Garden for 10 years. Ric is a self employed Landscape designer and consultant working in the
Palos Verdes and South Bay area. He lives in Torrance with his wife, Teri and two sons, Brad U.C.I. ('09)
and Scott Cal Poly S.L.O. ('11).

Tony Baker - Horticulture / Point Vicente Garden / Conservation Committee

Tony has been a member of CNPS for 15 years and is currently horticulture co-chair of our chapter. Over
the years, he has helped out with chapter native plants sales, garden tours and the Point Vicente native
garden among other things. He has a landscaping business in which he designs, installs and maintains
native gardens. He considers himself an advocate for using native plant in home gardens to create oases
for wildlife, minimize use of water and end reliance on pesticides and chemical fertilizers. “I'm proud to a
part of an organization that is helping to protect our native flora, natural habitats and natural heritage.”
Tony’s web site: http://www.natural-landscapes.com/

Loretta Rose - Spring Garden Tour / Board Member at Large

Loretta has been the Naturalist at the George F Canyon Nature Center since 2001, taking over the duties
of the original and founding Naturalist Aileen Bevan. Her job includes tasks such as keeping the center
open and staffed, leading hikes, parties and events, maintaining the live animal displays and
management of the 36 acre preserve. She is originally from Panama and now makes her home in
Torrance.
Barbara Sattler - Conservation Committee / Chapter Council Delegate / Archives Chair
Barbara Sattler has served on the Board of the South Coast Chapter of CNPS since 2002. She became
Vice President and Chapter Delegate in 2003, and President in 2004 and continued in that office until
February 2009. As Chapter Delegate she has actively participated in the State CNPS Chapter Council
meetings and has served on several state committees. Her focus has been primarily on the Conservation
issues that have faced the Chapter during that time frame, including the establishment of the Rancho
Palos Verdes NCCP (Natural Communities Conservation Plan). She enjoys working at the Point Vicente
Native Plant Garden.

Cindy Kondon - Membership

When Cindy retired as an accountant, she became interested in learning about native plants as a result of
a need to do some relandscaping. She had previously read about California's chronic water shortage and
wanted to address that issue along with the new plantings. She took landscaping classes at El Camino
and found that they were still teaching the old ways of landscaping with water-guzzling plants and using
pesticides. Native plants were not even mentioned. “The California Native Plant Society is the ideal place
to educate yourself , not only about native plants, but also about changing old habits to adapt to new
realities.”

Griselda Sasayama - Outreach Chair

After her retirement, Griselda got a Certificate of Environmental Horticulture and became one of the
permanent propagation volunteers of the SOUND project nursery at CSU-Dominguez Hills. This nursery
produces California native plants for restoration projects and gardens in the South Bay area. Griselda
has made her home garden an ongoing lab and a demonstration site for California natives in a coastal
location. Influenced by her art and photography hobbies, as well as her experience in teacher training,
she enjoys designing native gardens that are a pleasure to the senses and invite learning and
participation. Her idea of paradise is a place where everyone is free and able to contribute to the growing
of their own food, practices ecologically sound ornamental gardening and enjoys the blessings of the local
native flora. She is happy to be part of a group who is committed to protect and teach about CA native
plants. Originally from Argentina, Griselda has lived in Utah, Hawaii and Japan.

Christine Martin - Program Chair / Newsletter

While raising three boys, Chris welcomed any opportunity to tinker in the garden, and actually enjoys
pulling weeds. She works with computers during the day and finds working with plants a much better way
to spend her time. She has no formal gardening experience and has really enjoyed all the expertise the
members of the chapter have been willing to share. She has only been active with Native Plant Society a
few years but has learned to appreciate the beauty of natives during that time.

Chairs

Carol Roelen - Publicity / Madrona Marsh

Carol has been a member of CNPS approximately 12 years. Her interest and passion for native plants
and restoration began as a volunteer at the Navy Fuel Depot. Doing restoration work there to provide
habitat for the Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly was very rewarding for her. She enjoys being outside in any
garden or restoration site and is, interestingly, fond of weeding. She is on the Friends of Madrona Marsh
Board of Directors, and has served as the organization’s secretary since 1995.

Ivan Snyder - Rare Plants, Ethnobotany

“Rare native plants. Truly, there are few.” Ivan was appointed Rare Plants Chair after stumbling upon an
Diendangered species on the peninsula at a previously undocumented location. He was not searching for
the plant that day. The species description happened to be filed in his mind after reading about it some
time before. Seems he was born with a botanical identification sixth sense. Hiking around studying nature
is his favorite distraction from this synthetic world we live in. Progress has indeed brought many great
new wonders to the world. But he can't help wonder what we may have lost along the way. Things that
are important, maybe even essential, to being fully human. This is why ethnobotany is such an attraction
for him. It teaches things lost to our present culture. He is expert in plants traditionally used for food, fiber
(cordage), and firecraft (rubbing two sticks together). “It's not about ‘survivalism’. For me it's all about
experiencing a more natural way of living as our ancient ancestors did.”
 Baby Blue Eyes © Christine Martin 2009

Renew Online

Renew your CNPS membership online using a credit card. As an option, set it up to renew
automatically year after year. It is quick, easy, convenient, and reduces renewal mailing costs.
www.cnps.org
Click on the JOIN button

Newsletter Changes
Our newsletter is changing this year. The schedule is changing slightly to be June – August, Sept –
November, December – February, and March – May. Also we will have two versions on the newsletter.
Due to printing and distribution costs, the paper newsletter that gets mailed to your home will be limited in
size and will only be in black and white. The electronic version, like this one, will include more
information and color pictures.

To continue to receive your expanded electronic copy and to save the chapter printing costs, be sure to
send your current email address to our Membership chair Cindy Kondon at: C.JJKondon.earthlink.net.
Newsletters are also available on our local web site: http://www.sccnps.org.

Please send any announcement requests, any other articles of interest, comments and suggestions to the
newsletter editor: Christine Martin at: ChrisMM@socal.rr.com.