Yadon's piperia ~ 04/18/13 ~ Huckleberry Hill

 Yadon's rein orchid
Piperia yadonii
CNPS 8th Edition Inventory
Orchidaceae

posted 05/23/13 - "Please watch your step. Those are Yadon's you're treading on."  So said my veteran CNPS guide. Really!?!  I've only ever noticed these when they're blooming in late July and early August and the leaves are completely gone.  I had no idea when the leaves were actually out; they look just like the exotic orchids I have as houseplants.  Once again, I'm noting this location is not Monterey City's Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve where I first saw Yadon's.

lots o' lotuses ~ 04/18/13 ~ Huckleberry Hill

Bentham's deerweed / Bentham's lotus

Acmispon cytisoides (formerly Lotus benthamii)

Fabaceae

round-leaved Heermann's lotus / woolly lotus

Acmispon heermannii var. orbicularis (formerly Lotus heermannii var. orbicularis)

Fabaceae

rush lotus (more pictures)

Acmispon junceus (formerly Lotus junceus)

Fabaceae

harlequin lotus / coast lotus / witch's teeth

Hosackia gracilis (formerly Lotus formosissimus)

CNPS 8th Edition Inventory

Fabaceae

stipulate lotus (more pictures)

Hosackia stipularis (formerly Lotus stipularis)

Fabaceae

Oy!  The 2nd edition Jepsons Manual released last year with its classification overhaul has thrown everyone for a loop, from the reliable memories of old-time native plant folks to the extensive databases of Jepson eFlora, Calflora.org, and CalPhotos.  The embedded links I've included in the names above were a little challenging to track down.  Lotus had most plants split off into Acmispon (deerweeds) and Hosackia (lotuses).  I wouldn't have attempted this post if I hadn't had the expert guidance of an experienced local CNPS member pointing out all these plants to me.  Our local chapter president asked me to accompany this fellow and make a record of what and where he collected for our annual wildflower show.

Speaking of where, my new location label of Huckleberry Hill Natural Habitat Area, which is managed by the Del Monte Forest Conservancy in Pebble Beach, is not the same as my previously featured Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve, which is managed by the City of Monterey. While these two locations are only across Hwy 68 from each other, I think I see slight differences in habitat resulting from different historical land uses.  For those who live around here, this location is what's better known as the "quarry entrance" off Holman Hwy.