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 3. Results of Recent Rains A misty, moisty morning, the view north toward the San Gabriel Valley. Moisture comes to these hills from fog drip, sea breezes, the marine layer and rain. Photo by Graham. New growth on California beeplant, Scrophularia californica, springing up after the first rains of the season. Photo by Graham. The miniscule red flowers bloom in the springtime. Click on the photo for more pictures. Photo by Michael Charters. New growth on cliff-aster, Malacothrix saxatilis. Photo by Graham. The two purple stripes on the back of each petal are diagnostic for identifying cliff-aster. Click on the photo for more pictures. Photo by Michael Charters. Twiggy wreathplant, Stephanomeria sp. Photo by Graham. We are unable to determine the species of this plant. For a technical discussion of the identification problems see Tom Chester's analysis Seedling of poison hemlock, Conium maculatum. Click on the photo for more pictures. Poison hemlock is easily recognized by the purple splotches on its stem even when it is dead. "In ancient Greece, hemlock was used to poison condemned prisoners. The most famous victim of hemlock poisoning is the philosopher Socrates. After being condemned to death for impiety in 399 BC, Socrates was given a potent solution of the hemlock plant. A useful trick to determine whether a plant is poison hemlock rather than fennel, which it resembles, is to crush some leaves and smell the result. Fennel smells like anise or liquorice, whereas the smell of poison hemlock is often described as mouse-like or musty." From Conium in Wikipedia. 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