Scrub is the name used for areas of low shrubs common along the Chaparral is a specific type of scrubland that occurs along the California coast. The word chaparral comes from
The patchy distribution, abundance of fruiting shrubs, and large number of species found in the coastal scrub zone provide many different types of shelter and food sources for animals. Coyote brush, poison oak, bush lupine, ceanothus, toyon, and coffee berry spread their thick tangle of branches. Underneath the maze, a wide variety of mammals are found – brush rabbit, gray fox, bobcat, coyote, spotted skunk, and black-tailed deer. California quail, sparrows, thrush, wrentits, and other small ground or shrub nesting birds frequent the scrub. Reptiles such as the red-sided garter snake, western fence lizards, and alligator lizards abound.
Two plants in the snapdragon family provide some of the most showy wildflowers in the scrub, and attract hummingbird to which feed from their tube-shaped orange and red flowers. In wetter areas the pipevine swallowtail butterfly flits its blue wings among the vines that twine between the shrubs. Hillside morning glory, wild cucumber, and giant vetch trail over the shrubs with their light pink blooms. Blackberry, osoberry and twinberrry are a treat for wildlife and humans alike. |
Last updated: February 28, 2015