California's most extensive ecosystem... a semi-arid, shrub-dominated association of sclerophyllous (thick, leathery leaves), woody plants shaped by summer drought, mild, wet winters, and naturally recurring fires every 30-150 years. Elevation 500-4,500 feet.

video clip of California's Green "Secrets of Chaparral"

California Chaparral

Relatively moist north-facing slopes:Toyon (Heterromoles arbutifolia), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Scrub oak (Quercus spp.), Pitcher sage (Lepechinia spp.), Climbing Penstemon (Kekiellacordifolia, K. antirrhinoides), and Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum).

Relatively dry south-facing slopes:Chamise (Adenostoma spp.), Black sage (Salvia melifera), Yucca (Yucca spp.),Woolly blue curls (Trichostema lanatum) and Bush poppy, (Dendromecon rigida).

Chaparral Slopes

Most abundant shrub in Chaparral: Adenostomafasciculatum; ChamiseFam: Rosaceaa

Manzanita: Arctostaphylos sp.Fam: Ericaceaa

California Scrub Oak (Quercus berberidifolia) Fam: Fagaceae

California Lilac: Ceanothus sp.Fam: Rhamnaceae

Some species have blue, others white flowers

Ceanothus silkmothHyalophora euryalusLepidoptera: Saturniidae

California Lilac, Ceanothus leucodermisRhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family).

Pale swallowtail,Papilio eurymedon

Larval foodplants:RedberryCalifornia coffeeberrCalifornia lilacHolly-leafed cherry

Blood-necked Longhorned Beetle Callimoxys sanguinicollis

California Dogface,Colias eurydice

False indigo, Amorpha californicaFabaceae (Pea family)

Chaparral Yucca,Hesperoyucca whippleiLiliaceae (Lily family)

Yucca moth

Bogus Yucca moth

Bogus Yucca moth

Bogus Yucca moth

Yucca moth

Parasitoid

Yucca moth

Bogus Yucca moth

Yucca Weevil