Within the California Floristic Province, there about 90 species of native tarweeds. Over millions of years, they developed to succeed in a variety of microclimates from sea level to mountain elevations. Tarweeds are part of California’s first native plants and are members of the sunflower family.
“Large swaths of undeveloped California are populated with all variety of tarweeds, because tarweeds have that logic in their DNA.” – Eric Simmons, Bay Nature Magazine
Tarweed, Hemizonia fitchii, is also known as tarplant, spikeweed, or Fitch’s Spikeweed.
They are part healthy grassland ecosystems. They’re also commonly found in areas where the soil has been disturbed.
Spikeweeds are annuals and drought-tolerant in the extreme. Seeds don’t require water to germinate!
Stalks and leaves are covered with fine hair and oil glands. A strong aroma is produced by the oil. Some folks claim it smells like turpentine, this blogger thinks it smells like eucalyptus. Tarplant oil may contain mosquito repellant properties.
Like other plants that make sticky oils, tarweeds attract certain bugs. Once they become stuck, they become carrion for predator insects that have evolved along with the tarplant, able to move about unhampered. Some of the carrion is eaten by predators while others may become nutrient sources for the plant.
Seeds are edible, like sunflower seeds. They can be eaten raw, toasted, or ground into flour. Native Americans used them to make mush. Birds and other animals also enjoy this food source.
At knee height, tarplants are eaten by grazing animals when they’re freshly sprouted, but later in the season when spikes are fully developed at the end of stem leaves, most grazers avoid them.
“Destructive fires in California have increased in both number and severity over the last decades. … Recent drought and bark beetle tree mortality has resulted in millions of dead and dying trees … significantly weakened to resist fires.”
– Nevada County 2018-19 Fire Safe Guide
weakened trees from 100 years of “no forest fires”
flammable invasive species growing near roads
“Cal Fire investigators have determined trees coming into contact with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. power lines are to blame for two Nevada County fires in October (2017) that burned a total of 897 acres and destroyed 60 structures.”
– Auburn Journal – Cal Fire pins blame on PG&E in two Nevada County fires (5-31-2018)
Nevada County Fire Statistics for October 8, 2017
McCourtney Fire – 76 acres burned.
Lobo Fire – 821 acres burned, 47 destroyed structures.
To date, the 2017 wildfire season was the most destructive and costly in California’s history.
If predictions hold true, this record will be broken.
In urban areas, toxic clean-up becomes necessary after fires.
In areas with steep topography, such as Nevada County, mudslides often follow fires.
https://youtu.be/qyYSS11bsXw
If soil from the Lobo Fire has become unstable, Lake Wildwood may have cause for concern.
Native Plants for Healing the Land
As landowners recover from fire, they can make plant replacement choices that will speed land recovery, hold soil in place, create healthier environments, and reverse some of the disruption caused by mass urbanization and exotic ornamental plantings over the last hundred years.
Native plants are;
adapted to local soil and microclimates
their water needs are small
they flourish without fertilizers
they have their own natural pest management systems
Native plants also;
purify water
reduce run-off and erosion
contribute to soil health
provide food for wildlife
attract bees and butterflies
prevent the spread of invasive species
reflect the unique landscape of the area
combat climate change by storing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide
What are Native Plants?
Native plants are those that evolved to survive to live in a specific environment.
Doug Tallamy, Department of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, states that native oak trees support over 500 species of caterpillars while ginkgos, an Asian import, only support 5 caterpillar species.
If it takes one baby bird 150-200 caterpillars to grow to adulthood, oak trees will support them while ginkos…
Plant researchers compare fossil records to notes and drawings that European explorers made of seeds and specimens. While the list of California native changes as new information is discovered, scientists have a solid working knowledge of the plants that originated in the California Floristic Provence.
“The way we garden and create places like meadows will determine what life will look like tomorrow.” Doug Tallmay, author of Bringing Nature Home
Where Can I Buy Native Plants?
Every October, the Redbud Chapter of the California Native Plant Society holds an annual Native Plant Sale.
“By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals.” – Audobon
More Books
Bringing Nature Home, How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by Douglas Tallamay
Growing California Native Plants, by Marjorie G. Schmidt
Living Wild: Gardening, Cooking and Healing with Native Plants of California by Alicia Funk
Tarweed, Hemizonia fitchii, is also known as tarplant, spikeweed, or Fitch’s Spikeweed.
