San Gabriel Mountains Heritage Association a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation

HIKES AND NATURE WALKS IN THE SAN GABRIELS Walks on the Wild Side, Fall-Winter, 2008-9 December 3, 2008 Hacienda Hills, Coyote Trail 2. Associated Shrubbery Shrub vs. Scrub ... Shrub is a life form like tree or herb. A shrub is a low woody plant with multiple stems from the base. Scrub is about size. According to Ornduff in Introduction to California Plant Life (1974) scrub "refers to the fact that major plant species found in the plant community are shrubby species one to six feet tall, although a few component species are considerably larger than this and might be considered small trees." Both words have the same etymology: Danish skrub "brushwood," Norwegian skrubba "dwarf tree". Confused yet? Laurel sumac, Malosma laurina, showing red stems, taco-folded leaves and persistent flower stalks. Photo by Graham. What you cannot see in the picture is the odor which permeates the air on hot days on the foothill trails. The leaves turn orange after a heavy frost. Naturally occurring plants have been used as "sentinel plants" by avocado and citrus growers to indicate areas that are free of frost and suitable for their orchards. The little dry flower stalks are painted green and used by model train enthusiasts for small trees to be placed along side the tracks. Lemonadeberry, Rhus integrifolia, showing flower stalk and red coloration similar to laurel sumac above, but with different rounded, not pointed, leaf tip and flattened, not folded leaf. Photo by Graham. The berries can be used to make lemonade flavored drinks, hence its common name. Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia, has fruits like small, red apples maturing in the fall and persisting well into the winter. Birds love them. Photo by Graham. It is also known as Christmas berry and California holly. Some believe that Hollywood, California derives its name from the numerous "California Holly" bushes which cover the Hollywood Hills, but the origin of Hollywood's name cannot be confirmed. Elderberry, Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea, is known as the Tree of Music to the Indians because its hollowed out stems are used for flutes, whistles, rattles and clappersticks, an instrument used to provide rhythm. Photo by Graham. Much mythology is attached to this shrub in European culture. American peoples have found many uses for it. To me, it is as an object of great beauty in the springtime. Section 1. The Setting Section 2. Associated Shrubbery Section 3. Results of Recent Rains Section 4. Inhabitants and Visitors pages created December 6, 2008 Walks on the Wild Side, Fall-Winter, 2008-9 Back to Index Page The mission of the San Gabriel Mountains Heritage Association is to provide support for environmental education, interpretive and heritage programs on the Angeles National Forest. For how you can help, please call the USFS Mt Baldy Visitor Center at 909 982 2829. In partnership with USDA Forest Service