About Native Plants On The Channel Islands
Native plants are generally defined to be plants found in our region before European colonization, roughly 200 years ago. Native plants have evolved together with native animals so that each species fills a specific niche and there are checks and balances to each species' populations. Native plants are generally controlled by competition with other species, herbivory from native animals, nutrient availability, and other ecological factors.
A community of native plants provides a mosaic of food sources, shelters, and niches for a diversity of native animals. Essentially, a greater the diversity of native plants means a greater diversity of native animals. Invasive plants, having evolved in other plant communities, disrupt this delicate balance because they aren't controlled by competition with other plants or animals.
Channel Islands National Park supports diverse terrestrial flora, including many rare, relict, and endemic species, as well as many nonnative species. Numerous plants are rare on the islands but have a wider distribution on the mainland. On the other hand, due to environmental conditions and isolation from the mainland, many of the plants that are native on the California mainland do not grow here. A total of about 790 plant taxa, including species, subspecies, varieties, and forms, have been identified in the park, of which about 578 are native and 205 are nonnative.
Each island supports a unique assemblage of vegetative communities, which differ due to climate, microhabitats, topography, geology, soils, plant colonization history, isolation, and land use history. Many of the islands' native vegetative communities have been greatly altered by people and the introduction of nonnative species and are in various stages of recovery. The major vegetative community types on the islands include coastal dune, coastal bluff, coastal sage scrub, grasslands, chaparral, island oak woodlands, mixed hardwood woodlands, pine stands, and riparian areas. Currently, the most extensive vegetation communities on the islands are grassland and coastal sage scrub with significant areas of chaparral on Santa Cruz Island, and to a lesser degree, on Santa Rosa Island. Various phases of coastal bluff scrub constitute the next largest category. Mixed broadleaf woodland stands, oak woodlands, and pine stands are scattered throughout on sheltered slopes and canyons, or on ridges exposed to frequent moist fogs. Smaller but no less significant vegetation communities include coastal dune, baccharis scrub, caliche scrub, and wetlands.
How We Protect Native Plants On The Channel Islands
We are dedicated to preserving and protecting the unique and diverse array of native plants that thrive on the Channel Islands off the coast of California. Our organization employs a multifaceted approach to safeguarding these delicate ecosystems from the threats posed by invasive species, climate change, and human impact. One of our primary strategies involves invasive species removal. Non-native plants, such as fennel, eucalyptus, and mustard, can outcompete and displace native species, disrupting the delicate balance of the island's ecosystems. We conducts regular removal expeditions, sending teams of trained staff and volunteers to carefully eradicate invasive species, allowing native plants to reclaim their natural habitat.
Furthermore, we engage in extensive habitat restoration efforts. Native plant populations on the Channel Islands have often been diminished due to historical disturbances, but Channel Islands Restoration actively works to revive these habitats. We employ specialized techniques like seed collection and propagation, cultivating native plants in nurseries before reintroducing them to their original environments. This not only boosts the populations of key species but also enhances the overall resilience of the island's ecosystems. Through diligent monitoring and research, they ensure that the reintroduced plants thrive and contribute to the island's biodiversity.
Moreover, Channel Islands Restoration places a strong emphasis on public outreach and education. By fostering a sense of stewardship and appreciation for the islands' native plants, they inspire individuals and communities to play an active role in conservation efforts. Regular workshops, guided hikes, and community events are organized to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the islands' unique flora. This approach creates a ripple effect of conservation-minded individuals who become advocates for native plant protection in their own communities, further extending the impact of our vital work. Through their comprehensive strategies, we continue to be at the forefront of safeguarding these precious islands and their native plants for generations to come.
Examples Of Native Plants On The Channel Islands
All 8 of the Channel Islands have an abundance of plant life including natives and rare species.
Each island has it’s own unique plant community that change based on a variety of circumstances and characteristics.
Rare Plants On The Channel Islands
We’ve included a list of threatened or endangered plants found in Channel Islands National Park.
For a plant species to be included on this list, they must meet criteria set by the Endangered Species Act.
Explore Native Plants in Santa Barbara…
Other Native and Invasive Plants in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
At Channel Islands Restoration, we also aim to document and protect many of the native plants that are local to our region in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. We are constantly updating our list of native plants on this site. An * indicates that these plants are invasive. If you would like to add a plant species that you don’t see here, please feel free to contact us volunteer@cirweb.org. More plant information can be found on our companion site www.sanmarcosfoothills.org
Plants By Scientific Name
Achyrachaena mollis
Acmispon glaber var. glaber
Acmispon maritimus var. maritimus
Acmispon wrangelianus
Acourtia microcephala
Adenostoma fasciculatum var. fasciculatum
Adiantum jordanii
Agrostis pallens
Ambrosia psilostachya
Amsinckia intermedia
Apium graveolens *
Araujia sericifera *
Artemisia californica
Artemisia douglasiana
Asclepias fascicularis
Asparagus asparagoides *
Atriplex semibaccata *
Avena barbata *
Avena fatua *
Azolla filiculoides
Baccharis pilularis ssp. consanguinea
Baccharis plummerae ssp. plummerae
Baccharis salicifolia ssp. salicifolia
Bidens pilosa *
Bloomeria crocea ssp. crocea
Brachypodium distachyon *
Brassica nigra *
Brassica rapa *
Brickellia californica
Brodiaea terrestris ssb. kernensis
Bromus carinatus var. carinatus
Bromus diandrus *
Bromus hordeaceus *
Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens *
Calandrinia menziesii
Calochortus catalinae
Calystegia macrostegia ssp. cyclostegia
Camissoniopsis bistorta
Camissoniopsis hirtella
Camissoniopsis micrantha
Capsella bursa-pastoris *
Cardionema ramosissimum
Carduus pycnocepnalus *
Carex sp.
Castilleja exserta ssp. exerta
Ceanothus crassifolius
Ceanothus megacarpus var. insularis
Ceanothus spinosus
Centaurea melitensis *
Ceratophyllum demersum
Cercocarpus betuloides var. betuloides
Chenopodium album *
Chenopodium californicum
Chenopodium murale *
Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. pomeridianum
Cirsium vulgare *
Clarkia sp.
Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata
Clematis lasiantha
Clematis ligusticifolia
Conium maculatum *
Convolvulus arvensis *
Corethrogyne filaginifolia
Cortaderia jubata *
Cortaderia selloana *
Crassula connata
Crocanthemum scoparium var. vulgare
Croton setigerus
Cryptantha intermedia var. intermedia
Cucurbita foetidissima
Cuscuta subinclusa
Cynara cardunculus *
Cynodon dactylon *
Cyperus eragrostis
Cyperus involucratus *
Datura wrightii
Deinandra fasciculata
Delairea odorata *
Descurainia pinnata
Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum
Diplotaxis muralis *
Drymocallis glandulosa var. glandulosa
Dryopteris arguta
Dudleya lanceolata
Ehrharta erecta *
Eleocharis macrostachya
Elymus condensatus
Elymus glaucus subsp. glaucus
Emmenanthe penduliflora var. penduliflora
Encelia californica
Epilobium brachycarpum
Epilobium canum ssp. canum
Epilobium ciliatum ssp. ciliatum
Erigeron canadensis
Erigeron foliosus var. foliosus
Eriodictyon crassifolium var. nigrescens
Eriogonum elongatum
Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum
Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum
Erodium botrys *
Erodium cicutarium *
Erodium moschatum *
Eschscholzia californica
Eucalyptus camaldulensis *
Eucalyptus citriodora *
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia var. chrysanthemifolia
Euthamia occidentalis
Festuca bromoides *
Festuca myuros *
Festuca perennis *
Foeniculum vulgare *
Fraxinus uhdei *
Galium angustifolium ssp. angustifolium
Galium californicum ssp. flaccidum
Galium cliftonsmithii
Galium nuttallii
Genista monspessulana *
Geranium dissectum *
Hazardia squarrosa var. squarrosa
Hedera sp. *
Helminthotheca echioides *
Hesperoyucca whipplei
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Heterotheca grandiflora
Hirschfeldia incana *
Hordeum brachyantherum ssp. californicum
Hordeum intercedens
Hordeum marinum ssp. gussoneanum *
Hordeum murinum spp. leporinum *
Hordeum murinum ssp. glaucum *
Horkelia cuneata var. cuneata
Hypochaeris glabra *
Hypochaeris radicata *
Isocoma menziesii var. vernonioides
Isolepis cernua
Juglans californica
Juncus bufonius var. bufonius
Juncus occidentalis
Juncus patens
Keckiella cordifolia
Lactuca serriola *
Lamarckia aurea *
Lamium amplexicaule *
Lathyrus vestitus var. vestitus
Lepidium nitidum
Logfia filaginoides
Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata
Lupinus bicolor
Lupinus hirsutissimus
Lupinus nanus
Lupinus sparsiflorus
Lupinus succulentus
Lysimachia arvensis *
Lythrum hyssopifolia *
Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. nuttallii
Malacothrix saxatilis var. saxatilis
Malosma laurina
Malva nicaeensis *
Malva parviflora *
Marah macrocarpa
Marrubium vulgare *
Matricaria discoidea
Medicago polymorpha *
Melica frutescens
Melica imperfecta
Melilotus albus *
Melilotus indica *
Mimulus aurantiacus var. pubescens
Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia
Myoporum laetum *
Nasturtium officinale
Navarretia atractyloides
Nicotiana glauca *
Nicotiana quadrivalvis
Oenothera xenogaura *
Olea europaea *
Opuntia ficus-indica *
Opuntia littoralis var. littoralis
Oxalis albicans
Oxalis pes-caprae *
Oxalis pilosa
Paeonia californica
Pennisetum clandestinum *
Pennisetum setaceum *
Phacelia cicutaria var. hispida
Phacelia hubbyi
Phacelia ramosissima
Phacelia viscida var. albiflora
Phalaris aquatica *
Pholistoma auritum var. auritum
Pholistoma racemosum
Pittosporum undulatum *
Plagiobothrys nothofulvus
Plantago erecta
Plantago lanceolata *
Plantago major *
Platanus racemosa
Poa annua *
Polygonum aviculare subsp. depressum *
Polypodium californicum
Polypogon monspeliensis *
Populus trichocarpa
Primula clevelandii var. clevelandii
Pseudognaphalium californicum
Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum *
Pseudognaphalium microcephalum
Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens
Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia
Ranunculus californicus
Raphanus sativus *
Rhamnus crocea
Rhus integrifolia
Ribes amarum
Ribes speciosum
Ricinus communis *
Rosa californica
Rubus ursinus
Rumex conglomeratus *
Rumex crispus *
Rumex pulcher *
Salix laevigata
Salix lasiolepis
Salsola australis *
Salvia apiana
Salvia leucophylla
Salvia mellifera
Salvia spathacea
Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea
Samolus parviflorus
Sanicula crassicaulis
Schinus molle *
Schinus terebinthifolius *
Scrophularia californica
Selaginella bigelovii
Senecio vulgaris *
Sidalcea malviflora
Silene gallica *
Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata
Silybum marianum *
Sisymbrium irio *
Sisyrinchium bellum
Solanum douglasii
Solanum elaegnifolium *
Solanum rostratum*
Solanum xanti
Sonchus asper *
Sonchus oleraceus *
Spergula arvensis *
Spergularia villosa *
Stachys bullata
Stellaria media *
Stephanomeria sp.
Stipa lepida
Stipa miliacea var. miliacea *
Stipa pulchra
Symphoricarpos mollis
Symphyotrichum chilense
Tamarix ramosissima *
Taraxacum officinale *
Thalictrum fendleri
Torilis arvensis *
Toxicodendron diversilobum
Tragopogon porrifolius *
Trichostema lanceolatum
Trifolium depauperatum var. amplectens
Trifolium hirtum *
Typha domingensis
Typha latifolia *
Urospermum picroides *
Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea
Urtica urens *
Venegasia carpesioides
Verbena lasiostachys var. lasiostachys
Vicia sativa *
Vinca major *
Xanthium spinosum *
Xanthium strumarium
Plants By Common Name
blow wives
deerweed
coastal lotus
chilean trefoil
sacapellote
chamise
California maindenhair fern
thin grass
western ragweed
common fiddleneck
celery
bladder-flower
California sagebrush
mugwort
narrowleaf milkweed
bridal creeper, smilax
Australian saltbush
slender wild oat
wild oat
mosquito fern
coyote brush
plummer baccharis
mulefat
beggarticks
golden stars
false brome
black mustard
field mustard
California brickellbush
Kern brodiaea
California brome
ripgut brome
soft chess
red brome
red maids
Catalina mariposa lily
coastal morning-glory
California sun cup
hairy sun cup
miniature suncup
shepherd's purse
sand mat
Italian thistle
sedge
purple owl's clover
snowball
island bigpod ceanothus
greenbark ceanothus
tocalote
hornwort
birch-leaf mountain mahogany
lambsquarters
soaproot
nettle leaf goosefoot
small soap plant
bull thistle
clarkia
miner's lettuce
pipestem clematis, chaparral clematis
creek clematis
poison hemlock
bindweed
California aster
jubata grass
pampas grass
pygmy weed
peak rush-rose
dove weed
common forget-me-not
calabazilla
canyon dodder
artichoke thistle
bermuda grass
umbrella-sedge
African umbrella-sedge
jimson weed
fasciculed tarplant
cape-ivy
tansy mustard
blue dicks
annual wallrocket
sticky cinquefoil
coastal wood fern
lanceleaf live-forever
veldtgrass
spikerush
giant rye
blue wild rye
whispering bells
California bush sunflower
Annual fireweed
California fuchsia
willow herb
horseweed
leafy fleabane
yerba santa
longstem buckwheat
California buckwheat
golden yarrow
Broad leaf filaree
redstem filaree
white stemmed filaree
California poppy
river red gum
lemon-scented gum
common eucrypta
western goldenrod
slender fescue
rattail sixweeks grass
Italian rye grass
sweet fennel
shamel ash
common bedstraw
flaccid bedstraw
Santa Barbara bedstraw
nuttall's bedstraw
French broom
dissected geranium
sawtooth goldenbush
ivy
bristly ox-tongue
chaparral yucca
toyon
telegraph weed
summer mustard
California barley
vernal barley
mediterranean barley
hare or foxtail barley
summer barley
wedgeleaf horkelia
smooth cat's-ear
rough cat's-ear
coastal goldenbush
low bulrush
southern Calif. black walnut
toad rush
western rush
spreading rush
heartleaf penstemon
prickly lettuce
goldentop
henbit
wild sweetpea
shining or common peppergrass
California cottonrose
Santa Barbara honeysuckle
bicolored lupine
stinging lupine
sky lupin
few-flowered lupine
arroyo lupine
scarlet pimpernel
hyssop loosestrife
nuttall bush mallow
cliff aster
laural sumac
bull mallow
cheeseweed
wild cucumber
horehound
pineapple weed
burclover
woody melicgrass
coast range melic
white sweet-clover
yellow sweet-clover
bush monkeyflower
California wishbone bush
myoporum
water cress
hollyleaf pincushionplant
tree tobacco
indian tobacco
Drummond's gaura
olive
mission cactus/tuna cactus
coast prickly pear
California wood sorrel
Bermuda buttercup; sour grass
hairy wood sorrel
California peony
Kikuyu grass
fountain grass
caterpillar phacelia
Hubby's caterpillar phacelia
branching phacelia
sticky phacelia or white phacelia
harding grass
Fiesta Flower
white fiesta flower
victorian box
rusty popcornflower
California plantain
narrowleaf plantain
common plantain
western sycamore
annual bluegrass
common knotweed
California polypody
rabbitsfoot grass
black cottonwood
shooting stars
green everlasting
cudweed everlasting
white everlasting
western bracken fern
coast live oak
California buttercup
wild radish
redberry
lemonade berry
bitter gooseberry
fuchsia-flowered gooseberry
castor bean
California wild rose
California blackberry
green dock
curly dock
fiddle dock
red willow
arroyo willow
russian thistle
white sage
purple sage
black sage
hummingbird sage
blue elderberry
water pimpernel
pacific sanicle
Peruvian peppertree
Brazilian pepper
California figwort
Bigelow's spike-moss
common groundsel
checker bloom
windmill pink
Mexican pink
milk thistle
London rocket
blue-eyed grass
Douglas nightshade
white horse-nettle
Buffalobur nightshade
chaparral nightshade
spiny sowthistle
common sow-thistle
Corn Spurry
hairy sandspurry
California hedge-nettle, wood mint
common chickweed
wirelettuce
foothill needlegrass
smilo grass
purple needlegrass
snowberry
pacific aster
tamarisk, saltcedar
common dandelion
meadow rue
hedge parsley
poison oak
oyster plant, salsify
vinegarweed
pale sack clover
rose clover
southern cattail
broad-leaved cattail
prickly goldenfleece
giant creek nettle
dwarf nettle
canyon sunflower
western vervain
spring vetch
periwinkle
spiny clotbur
cocklebur
strigose lotus