levshnaider's Journal

I have been hiking on the trail in Pacifica, near Rockaway beach. The plant looked healthy, prospering in the vastness of north California hills. The coloration of this species varies from light yellow and orange to sharp red color. Monterey Indian Paintbrush is an endemic species to the California coastline and is usually found between the Monterey County and Bay Area.

I was hiking in the Rockaway beach, near the old rock query. This plat species was located on the cliffside of the big hill, surrounded by clay and sand deposits, and grassy vegetation mostly consisting of succulents. Alkali Heliotrope is a species of a flowering plant commonly called salt heliotrope. This species has small white flowers and is blooming as visible, the inside of the white flower is yellow color which turn purple thought the time.

I was on the hike with my dogs when in the dense vegetated although dry grass I observed a couple of darkling beetles. They are eating decaying and fresh vegetation. This couple was captured during the process of sexual reproduction, female beetle accepted male beetle allowing aedeagus to be inserted into female genital. The process takes two weeks from fertilization to laying of eggs, ( from one hundred to two hundred eggs that are laid by female beetle).

This species and particularly field of species of Sea fig was observed near the Thornton State Beach, at the boarder of San Francisco and Daily City county. The history behind this species is very interesting, as it was brought to California to stabilize dune environment and soil nearby the railroads in the beginning of 20th century. Today sea figs are considered as invasive species, taking natural habitat of native vegetation and serious control efforts are required to preserve natural habitat. In vulnerable to seismic activity California on the other hand, by binding soil particles sea figs provide a great mechanism to reduce soil erosion and increase soil cohesion. This species is called Chilean Sea Fig, and besides West coast of United States they are also found in Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Spain, Australia, Southern England, New Zealand and Argentina.