Coastal Dune Scrub Community

Will Elder, NPS

 

The dune scrub community is found on inland dunes landward of the foredune community. It is characterized by densely-packed shrubs interspersed with scattered areas of grasses, wildflowers, and open sand. The dune scrub community is represents several stages of ecological succession that follow disturbances such as fires or dune blowouts. Dune blowouts are areas where high winds may reactivated the dunes, causing sand to blow out and uprooting vegetation in the area; new dunes may also form and cover an established dune community if the blown out sand is deposited in a localized area. Urban encroachment and the introduction of non-native plants has greatly reduced the extent of the dune scrub community in San Francisco, where it once covered 14 square miles.

Typical Sites at the Presidio: Feral Dunes, Lobos Creek Valley, North Baker Beach, Crissy Field, and Presidio Hills.

Common Native Plants

Common Name	Scientific Name	Family
Bush Lupine	Lupinus arboreus	Fabaceae
Sticky Monkeyflower	Mimulus aurantiacus	Scrophulariaceae
California Coffeeberry	Rhamnus californica	Rhamnaceae
Chamisso's Lupine	Lupinus chamissonis	Fabaceae
Coyote Bush	Baccharis pilularis	Asteraceae
Lizard Tail	Eriophyllum staechadifolium	Asteraceae
Mock Heather	Ericameria ericoides	Asteraceae
Poison Oak	Toxicodendron diversilobum	Anacardiaceae

Rare and Endangered Plants

Common Name	Scientific Name	Family
San Francisco Campion	Silene verecunda	Caryophyllaceae
Dune Gilia	Gilia capitata ssp.chamissonis	Polemoniaceae
San Francisco Lessingia	Lessingia germanorum var. germanorum	Asteraceae
San Francisco Spineflower	Chorizanthe cuspidata	Polygonaceae
San Francisco Wallflower	Erysimum franciscanum	Brassicaceae

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