flora and fauna
California Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii):
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The California Blue Oak makes up one of the largest ancient forests of California. This tree is found in areas of open savannah and woodlands. With it's short height, green leaves and open canopy, The California Blue Oak is perfect for climbing and awesome pictures!
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Purple Sage (salvia leucophylla):
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The Purple Sage is a beautiful and aromatic plant with purple, gray, and white leaves on stalks. This plant is located in very dry lands and is highly tolerant to droughts. For it's highly attractive scent, this evergreen shrub is so fragrant it is perfect for observing attracted animals and insects!
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Olive Tree (Olea europaea): |
Originating from Africa, the Olive Tree has spread throughout the globe, resting in dry, warm, and nutrient poor regions, such as the Chaparral. The Olive Tree is an ancient symbol of divinity due to it's nutrient rich oil, gorgeous and fragrant white flowers, and tasty olives. Olives from the Chaparral makes for a great snack and it's oil a tasty souvenir!
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Coastal gold dust lichen (chrysothrix granulosa):
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The Coastal Gold Dust Lichen is easy to spot with it's bright green and yellow appearance. This fungus can be found in various places throughout the Chaparral, however it is mainly found on the barks of trees. This fungus adds a great pop of color in the dry and typically dull chaparral making eye catching photos.
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Soil:
Serpentine Soil: this soil is highly toxic as it lacks the positive nutrients such as calcium and nitrogen and mostly contains toxic elements such as magnesium, nickel, and chromium. Although toxic to many plants, this soil is highly supportive of specific shrubs and evergreen.
Non-Serpentine Sedimentary Soils: containing some calcium, this soil has a sandy texture and is made from sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, and is not nutrient rich.
Gabbro Soils: This rare soil is formed from igneous rocks within the earth and can be found in some regions of the Chaparral. This soil is red in color, due to high amounts of iron and chromium, and is overall nutrient poor.
Alluvial Soils: This soil supports a wide variety of oaks and is formed from river deposits. This soil is organic material and contains loam and clay.
Non-Serpentine Sedimentary Soils: containing some calcium, this soil has a sandy texture and is made from sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, and is not nutrient rich.
Gabbro Soils: This rare soil is formed from igneous rocks within the earth and can be found in some regions of the Chaparral. This soil is red in color, due to high amounts of iron and chromium, and is overall nutrient poor.
Alluvial Soils: This soil supports a wide variety of oaks and is formed from river deposits. This soil is organic material and contains loam and clay.