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.

Santa Cruz Island Fringe Pod (Thysanocarpus conchuliferus)

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.

Asteraceae

Cliff Malacothrix (Malacothrix saxatilis var. implicata)

Island Barberry

(Berberis pinnata ssp.insularis)

Island Nightshade

(Solanum clokeyi)

Santa Cruz Island Fringepod

(Thysanocarpus conchuliferus)

Island Manzanita

(Arctostaphylos tomentosa ssp. insulicola)

San Miguel Milkvetch

(Astragalus miguelensis)

Cobweb Thistle

(Cirsium occidentale)

Silver Bird's-foot Trefoil

(Acmispon argophyllus)

Island Manzanita

(Arctostaphylos insularis)

San Miguel Milkvetch

(Astragalus miguelensis)

Santa Catalina Mariposa Lily

(Calochortus catalinae)

Beach Evening Primrose

Island Bigpod Ceanothus

(Ceanothus megacarpus var. insularis)

Nevin's Woolly Sunflower

(Constancea nevinii)

Coast Cholla

(Cylindropuntia prolifera)

California Shieldpod

(Dithyrea maritima)

Santa Cruz Island Liveforever

(Dudleya nesiotica)

Stream Orchid

(Epipactis-gigantea)

Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat

(Eriogonum arborescens)

Red-flowered Buckwheat

(Eriogonum grande)

Island Wallflower

(Erysimum insulare)

California Poppy

(Eschscholzia californica)

Island Bristleweed

(Hazardia detonsa)

Toyon

(Heteromeles arbutifolia)

Giant Coreopsis

(Leptosyne gigantea)

Fringed Linanthus

(Linanthus dianthiflorus)

Silver Lupine

(Lupinus albifrons)

Purple Lupine

(Lupinus niveus)

Cliff Aster

(Malacothrix saxatilis)

Island Mallow

(Malva assurgentiflora)

Guadalupe Island Rock Daisy

(Perityle incana)

Torrey Pine

(Pinus torreyana ssp. insularis)

Guadalupe Island Pine

(Pinus radiata var. binata)

Prairie mallow

(Sidalcea malviflora)

Island Hazardia

(Hazardia detonsa)

Hoffman's Rock Cress

(Arabis hoffmannii)

Santa Cruz Island Rock Cress

(Sibara filifolia)

Santa Cruz Island Live-forever

(Dudleya nesiotica)

Island Paintbrush

(Castilleja lanatassp. hololeuca)

Pink Sand Verbena

(Abronia umbellata)

Silver Lotus

(Acmispon argophyllus)

Whitehair Manzanita

(Arctostaphylos viridissima)

White fairy-lantern

(Calochortus albus)

Yellow Mariposa Lily

(Calochortus luteus)

Island Morning Glory

(Calystegia macrostegia)

San Clemente Island Indian Paintbrush

(Castilleja grisea)

Island Ceanothus

(Ceanothus arboreus)

Guadalupe Cypress

(Cupressus guadalupensis)

Island Tarplant

(Hemizonia clementina)

Candleholder Liveforever

(Dudleya candelabrum)

Santa Barbara Island Liveforever

(Dudleya traskiae)

Seaside Daisy

(Erigeron glaucus)

St. Catherine's Lace

(Eriogonum giganteum)

Seep Monkeyflower

(Erythranthe guttata)

Gumplant

(Grindelia camporum)

Salt Heliotrope

(Heliotropium curassavicum)

Scale Broom

.(Lilium humboldtii)

San Clemente Bush Mallow

(Malacothamnus clementinus)

Island Scrub Oak

(Quercus pacifica)

California Buttercup

(Ranunculus californicus)

Wallace's Nightshade

(Solanum wallacei)

Giant Chain Fern

(Woodwardia fimbriata)

California hedge nettle

(Stachys bullata)

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