Rocky Intertidal
What is the name of the colorful sea slugs that excite and amaze in different colors and patterns?
Nudibranchs
This feisty plant is often seen lurking below oak trees, with pink-tinted stems and oily leaves that have you itching for more!
Poison oak
(Toxicodendron diversilobum)
This tree can be identified by the number of needles in each node, corresponding with the three syllables in its common name.
Monterey Pine
(Pinus radiata)
These trees are the tallest in the world. They are also adapted to wildfires and can make their own rain and fog through the process of transpiration!
Coast redwoods
California's state flower
California poppy
(Eschscholzia californica)
Name the highest level of the intertidal zone.
Splash zone
This invasive yellow flower is often seen in oak woodlands and on the side of the road and sidewalks. It has a distinct sour taste when eaten!
Bermuda buttercup
(Oxalis per-caprae)
This perennial shrub has sticky, dark green leaves and bright orange flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees.
Sticky monkey flower
(Diplacus aurantiacus)
This plant grows close to the ground. It has a single round leaf with a small white flower in the center. It is also edible, and quite tasty!
Miner's lettuce
(Claytonia perfoliata)
This shrub is a light grey-green color and has a pleasant smell, commonly called "coyboy cologne".
California sagebrush
(Artemisia californica)
What is one of the main characteristics of the phylum Mollusca?
Muscular foot/mantle/radula
This plant is drought-tolerant, with feathery green leaves and wide bunches of white flowers. It is an herb traditionally used to stop bleeding!
Common yarrow
(Achillea millefolium)
This invasive shrub crops up in many places, with pale yellow flowers and a seed bank that just won't quit!
French broom
(Genista monspessulana)
This flower has a long stem, with a bunch of blue-purple flowers at the top.
Blue dicks
(Dichelostema capitatum)
Watch out! This plant is part of the carrot family, but be warned... you will surely meet an untimely demise if you eat it.
Poison hemlock
(Conium maculatum)
We are related to this type of animal, though you wouldn't think it! Both humans and this animal belong to the phylum Chordata, which contains animals that have backbones.
Tunicates
This vine has broad, pointed leaves and small white flowers. Its fruit is mace-like.
Manroot
(Marah fabacea)
This evergreen shrub has little red berries and is often called California holly!
Toyon
(Heteromeles arbutifolia)
"I bloom in hues of royal grace,
A festive shade upon my face.
Brush past me once, I’ll hitch a ride,
Clinging to clothes where I can hide.
What am I?"
Purple fiesta flower
(Pholistoma auritum var. auritum)
This shrub has smooth, round leaves and small, white, bell-shaped flowers.
Hookers manzanita
(Arctostaphylos hookeri)
Creatures from this phylum love to stick to rocks. They may seem tough on the outside, but on the inside, they're big softies who love stability.
Echinoderms
Often seen hanging off the limbs of coastal oak trees, this is not a plant but a RELATIONSHIP between two creatures!
Lace lichen
(Ramalina menziesii)
"I hide beneath the logs and stones,
for I fear big creatures and I roam alone,
my skin is delicate, for I use it to breathe,
don't eat me or regret you'll feel.
What am I?"
Monterey Ensatina
(Ensatina eschscholtzii eschscholtzii)
This native flower is a vibrant blue with white tops and belongs to the pea family! They can often be seen growing in a carpet along the road or on rolling hills.
Sky lupine
(Lupinus nana)