Plants at Ulistac
At Ulistac, our goal is to restore native California Habitat by gradually taking out non-native plants and replacing them with plants native to California. This is a selection of the more common native plants that can be found at Ulistac Natural Area.
We have included pictures and a short description of each plant. It would be incredibly difficult and time consuming to list every species and subspecies of plant that we have at Ulistac, so this is merely a taster of what you can see when you visit. All photos were taken at Ulistac by volunteers, Erica Fleniken, John Kehoe and Karen Campbell
If you would like more information about native California plants, calscape.org and calflora.org are good starting points.
Please remember that you should not pick any of our plants at Ulistac. The wildlife that call Ulistac home depend on these plants for food and habitat.
Arroyo Willow
Salix lasiolepis
This multi-limbed tree can grow up to a height of 35ft. It prefers to have moisture in the soil, so does well next to wetlands and rivers. Flowers with yellow or cream catkins in spring. Host plant for the Western Tiger Swallowtail and an important food source for many insects and animals.
Bladderpod
Peritoma arborea
An evergreen shrub that mainly flowers in spring and summer, but it can flower all year in some cases. The plant has a bit of an unusual smell that some people like and some dislike. Blooms are popular with bees and hummingbirds. Easy to grow from seed.
Box Elder
Acer negundo
A fast growing, winter-deciduous tree that grows to around 60ft. Typical lifespan of 60 years. Prefers a riparian habitat where it can get some summer water. Large, light green leaves have a soft, velvety feel. Host plant for over 25 species of moth and butterfly.
California Buckeye
Aesculus californica
This summer-deciduous tree has a very striking appearance. It’s dark green leaves each have five fingers, the flowers grow in a cone shape in spring. Although the large seeds are toxic, they had many uses for the Native Americans who used to live in this area.
California Fuchsia
Epilobium canum
This late summer-fall flowering plant provides a hit of color late in the year. Bright red, trumpet shaped flowers are a favorite with hummingbirds. Thrives when cut back to ground level after the flowers are done to allow new growth the following spring.
California Sunflower
Helianthus californicus
CA Sunflower is a perennial herb that grows in clumps with tall, woody stems. Flowers are yellow and usually less than 10cm across. Popular with many species of insect and bird. The long stems should be cut back after the plant has finished flowering to allow for new growth.
Catalina Cherry
Prunus ilicifolia
This evergreen tree is native to the Channel Islands in CA. It provokes strong opinion whether or not it should be grown in this area. The plant has shiny green leaves and white flowers which attract plenty of insects. Birds love the fruit that appears in late summer.
Coffeeberry
Frangula californica
An evergreen shrub that tops out at around 15ft. Long, pointed, smooth leaves that often curl downwards at the edges. Berries gradually ripen to a deep purple color as the summer progresses. After roasting, the seeds inside the berries can be made into a coffee-like drink.
Deer Grass
Muhlenbergia rigens
An upright bunch grass with long, narrow, pointed leaves that can be up to 3ft in length. Flower stems extend from the main bunch of grass and can reach a height of 5ft. Despite the name, older leaves are unpalatable for deer and other browsers.
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
One of the earlier plants to flower at Ulistac. Golden flowers, often with red centers can appear as early as January. Flowers are said to smell like vanilla or cloves. Winter deciduous plant that prefers to have a bit of summer moisture, so does well near creeks or streams.
Hollyleaf Cherry
Prunus ilicifolia
An evergreen tree that can grow up to 50ft tall. Leaves are shiny with spiny edges. Cream colored flowers attract insects in the spring, birds enjoy the fruits. Fruits are edible, but have a large stone and thick, bitter skin making them not very pleasant to eat.
Manzanita
Arctostaphylos (sp.)
We have several varieties of Manzanita at Ulistac. They are an evergreen shrub that tends to grow fairly erect. Leaves are leathery and oval, bark is smooth and red in color. Early flowering plant in late winter and early spring. Flowers tend to be white or pale pink.
Mulefat
Baccharis salicifolia
Upright shrub that holds it’s leaves year-round. Drought tolerant, but looks better when given water during the summer. Small, fuzzy flowers appear in spring time, often with a pink or red tinge. Can be hard pruned if looking weedy to allow new growth to come through.
Purple Needlegrass
Stipa pulchra
State grass for California. This native grass is named for the purple seed heads. The pointed ‘needle’ helps the seeds to become buried when it falls to the ground. Perennial grass that grows in tufts. Root system can grow to 20ft deep which helps with drought tolerance.
St. Catherine’s Lace
Eriogonum giganteum
Species of wild Buckwheat originating from the Channel Islands. Prefers dry, rocky soil. Foliage is gray and feels slightly woolly. Large, lacy flower clusters start white in summer and turn chocolate brown. Flower stems should be cut back once finished flowering.
Valley Oak
Quercus lobata
Largest of the N. American Oaks, growing up to 100ft tall. Prefers to be able to get it’s roots into the water table for maximum growth. Winter deciduous, in summer leaves are 2-3” in length and deeply lobed. Oaks are a very important plant for wildlife.
Western Spicebush
Calycanthus occidentalis
Winter deciduous shrub that can grow up to 13ft tall. Leaves are a bright green with a waxy appearance. Aromatic flowers that are bright pink to burgundy in color with multiple, narrow tepals. The flower is said to resemble a magnolia flower or water lily.
Blue Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Fast growing, winter deciduous tree that has clusters of creamy flowers in spring and dark blue berries in summer. Flowers and berries are useful for a variety of animals and insects. Tolerates a variety of soil types and moisture levels. Limbs often grow long and straight which make them very useful.
Blue Eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium bellum
A compact perennial herb that goes dormant in summer. Usually grows up to 1ft tall, but can occasionally grow taller. Flowers in late winter or early spring with dark blue, lilac or purple flowers. Can be grown from seed or by dividing rhizomes.
Buck Brush Ceanothus
Ceanothus cuneatus
This evergreen shrub can grow to around 10ft tall. Leaves can occasionally show a toothed edge. Flowers are mostly white, cream or pale lavender and our plants at Ulistac usually flower in late winter/early spring. Native bees seek out this plant for the nectar.
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
An evergreen shrub that can grow up to 6ft tall. Small, narrow leaves grow along the branches and often curl at the edges. Provides a hit of cream color in spring and early summer, then as the flowers dry out, they turn a chocolate brown color well into fall.
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
California’s State flower. This compact annual grows in clumps that are usually under 12in high. The leaves have a lacy appearance and the 4-petalled flowers close up overnight, and open in the day time warmth. Bees are attracted to the blooms.
California Wild Grape
Vitis californica
A deciduous vine that can grow to over 30ft (10m) in length. Prefers it's leaves to be in bright sunlight and it will climb through other plants to reach the light. It can be extremely aggressive, and frequent pruning is a must. Foliage turns bright red in the fall.
Cleveland Sage
Salvia clevelandii
An aromatic evergreen shrub that in most cases grows to be less than 4.5ft tall although some of our specimens at Ulistac are closer to 6ft. Flowers spring into summer. Bees enjoy the flower nectar and birds, especially finches enjoy the seeds.
Coyote Brush (or Bush)
Baccharis pilularis
Coyote Brush grows and sets seed very easily, which means that it can almost become a weed in some instances. Grows up to 10ft tall and 12ft wide. Evergreen shrub that requires very little water, but can tolerate some summer watering. Regrows well if cut back.
Flannel Bush
Fremontodendron californicum
Flannel Bush is most obvious in spring when it is covered in large, yellow flowers. Can grow up to 20ft tall and wide. Drought tolerant and does not like to have any additional water in summer. Hairs on leaves and seed pods can be a skin irritant.
Golden Yarrow
Eriophyllum confertiflorum
This plant is a herb in the daisy family. It can be either an annual or perennial. Grows in clumps, with greenish-gray foliage, that tend to stay around 2ft in height. Bight golden flower clusters can develop throughout the year, although less likely in fall.
Hummingbird Sage
Salvia spathacea
This is a shade-loving, self-spreading herbaceous plant. Bright pink flowers in spring attract hummingbirds, as the name suggests. Although leaves may be visible year-round, it tends to go dormant after flowering and may not look it’s best until after the winter rains.
Matilija Poppy
Romneya coulteri
An upright perennial herb that can get to be 10ft tall. Also known as ‘the fried egg plant’ due to the appearance of the large (up to 20cm wide) flowers. Leaves are a greenish-gray color and are lobed. Main stems are tall and woody. Should not be given summer water once established.
Narrow Leaf Milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
Host plant for the Monarch Butterfly. Milkweed is the only plant that the Monarch caterpillars can eat and it is important to only plant varieties native to your area. Goes dormant in winter and will regrow from the roots the following spring. Cream flowers in summer.
(Big) Saltbush
Atriplex lentiformis
Also known as Quailbush. This is a fast growing, spreading shrub that can grow to 10ft tall and usually more in width. Scaly, pale green leaves. Flowers grow in narrow clusters that start yellow-green and turn brown. Host plant for the Western Pygmy Blue butterfly.
Sticky Monkey-Flower
Mimulus aurantiacus
An evergreen, perennial plant that can grow to around 4 ft tall and 5ft wide. Leaves are dark green and slightly sticky. Tubular orange or yellow flowers most commonly appearing in spring and summer. Grows in a variety of soil types and tolerates part-shade or sun.
Western Dogwood
Cornus sericea ssp. occidentalis
Winter deciduous plant that stands out, even when it has no leaves, due to the striking, deep red bark. Upright shrub that grows up to a height of 16ft. Prefers to grow in moist areas. Flowers are creamy-white clusters in late spring to early summer.
Western Sycamore
Platanus racemosa
Winter deciduous tree in the Plane family, that tends to grow to around 70-80ft. Very large (up to 10” wide) lobed leaves with 5 ‘fingers’ turn golden in the fall. Flowers are small pink balls that become seed balls. Tolerates both sand and clay soils.
Black Sage
Salvia mellifera
Aromatic shrub that can grow up to 6ft tall in ideal conditions. The aromatic leaves are textured and bear a resemblance to fingerprints. Flowers can vary from white, to light blue, to lavender coloured. Popular nectar plant for native bees. Host plant for the Gray Hairstreak butterfly.
Blue-blossom Ceanothus
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
This evergreen shrub can grow up to 30ft tall in a mounding form. Prefers areas with low moisture levels. Flowers appear in late winter and early spring and attract a large variety of bees and insects. Host plant for the California Tortoisehell and Ceanothus Silkmoth among others.
California Bay
Umbellularia californica
California Bay is very tolerant of clay soil. This tree can grow up to 80ft tall. It has elongated stiff leaves that have a strong aroma. Flowers and fruits from the tree attract many native insects and birds. Bay leaves are often used as a flavoring in savory cooking.
California Coneflower
Rudbeckia californica
This perennial herb typically grows around 2-3ft tall, but can grow up to 6ft in ideal conditions. Related to sunflowers, this plant has yellow flowers with a conical center. Flowers are a great pollinator plant for butterflies and bees. Winter deciduous.
California Sagebrush
Artemisia californica
Very aromatic shrub that grows in mounds up to 8ft tall. This plant is summer-deciduous and often goes brown in late summer and fall. After the first rain, it gradually starts to grow in new, light green leaves. Extremely drought tolerant and easy to grow.
California Wild Rose
Rosa californica
This plant is a fast spreading winter deciduous shrub that can survive n arid conditions, but thrives if planted near water sources. Flowers are varying shades of pink in summer. Rosehips are a good food source for birds and mammals. The rose plant has very sharp thorns.
Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia
Very common in the Bay Area, this evergreen tree can grow up to 80ft tall. Smallish oval leaves with spiney edges that often curl slightly. Lots of acorns appear in fall. Acorns are very popular with squirrels and Scrub Jays who often cache them to eat over winter.
Dark Star Ceanothus
Ceanothus ‘Dark StaR’
This plant is a nursery hybrid, so not a true native. Compact shrub with dark blue, almost purple flower clusters in late winter and into spring. Flowers have yellow stamens. Very small, dark green leaves that curl towards the edges. This plant is very popular with bees!
Fremont Cottonwood
Populus fremontii
Winter deciduous tree that can grow to be over 100ft tall. Heart shaped leaves that rustle gently in a breeze. Riparian tree that prefers to be planted near a water source. Named due to the seeds have a cotton-like appearance which allows for wind dispersal.
Hedge Nettle
Stachys ajugoides
A riparian plant that is often found along the side of creeks, streams and rivers. This perennial herb spreads via underground rhizomes and tends to grow in dense patches. Leaves have a serrated edge and can appear hairy if you look closely. Does not sting like some nettles.
Island Mallow
Malva assurgentiflora
Evergreen shrub that enjoys full sun and well draining soil. Endemic to California, comes from the Channel Islands. Bright pink, showy flowers that can bloom throughout the year. Attracts insects, butterflies and hummingbirds. Gophers also enjoy eating the large tap root.
Mugwort (Coastal)
Artemisia suksdorfii
A perennial herb with lobed leaves and an upright stem. Related to Sagebrush and mainly found in coastal areas. Can grow up to 7ft in height. Spreads via underground rhizomes. Grows well in full sun. Host plant for Painted Lady Butterflies among others.
Pink Flowering Currant
Ribes sanguineum glutinosum
A deciduous shrub with elongated clusters of pink flowers from January to March. Can grow to 5ft tall and 3ft wide and is shade tolerant. Can grow in a variety of soil types. Berries are edible, but do not have much taste so are best left for the birds.
Saltmarsh Baccharis
Baccharis glutinosa
Perennial herb in the daisy family that prefers to grow in wet areas such as marshes. Spreads quickly via rhizomes. Flower clusters start whitish with a fluffy appearance, then turn brown. Dies back in winter and regrows the following spring.
Toyon
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Also known as Christmas Berry or Holly Berry. Evergreen, toothed leaves that are dark green. Flowers in summer. Fall into winter sees clusters of bright red berries. Berries are a favorite for many bird species such as Robins and Cedar Waxwings.
Western Redbud
Cercis occidentalis
Winter deciduous shrub. This plant really stands out both when in flower and in leaf. Bright pink flowers, that bees love, before any leaves form. Leaves are a rounded heart shape that are usually light green in color, developing to darker green as they age.
White Sage
Salvia apiana
Considered a sacred plant to Native Americans, the dried leaves are used as incense for ceremonial purposes. Long, downy leaves have a blueish tinge to the green. Long flower spikes covered in white flowers in summer. Highly aromatic plant.
