Fire Ecology along Limpy Creek Trail Leader: Dr. Tom Atzet, Ecologist in SW Oregon for 36 years. Description: The Limpy Creek Botanical Trail is a moderate, one mile loop trail with interpretive signs and several benches for those who want to sit and enjoy the sounds of water or mountain vistas. There is a restroom at the trailhead and one picnic table can be found a few yards up the trail. Emphasis will be on the ecological control agent of fire. Fire is the most influential process affecting species composition, structure and ecosystem health in the Limpy Creek landscape. Other agents such as insects, diseases and climate extremes are also evident in this short walk. Because of the age of the stands (seral stage), species diversity is high and structural diversity is impressive. Having a rare and unusual geologic type (ultramafics) adds to the uniqueness and species diversity.

Elevation Gain & Altitude: Variable ups and downs, less than 200 feet elevation gain. Round

trip is less than two miles.

General Driving Directions: From Deer Creek Center, take Hwy 199 north about 13 miles. Turn

left onto Riverbanks Road (just before crossing the Applegate River). Go 4.5 miles and turn left

onto Limpy Creek Road. Proceed 2.3 miles to the small gravel parking lot, restroom and

trailhead. (Latitude: 42.42997; N Longitude: 123.55147 W)

Floristic Highlights: Conifer diversity is high and we will cover their individual strategies for

competing for site resources: ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi),

Port-Orford-cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Riparian

and more common terrestrial shrubs are evident, including poisonoak, California coffeeberry

(Frangula californica), Brewer’s oak (Quercus garryana var. breweri), vine maple (Acer

circinatum) and wild azalea (Rhododendron occidentale). Normal herbaceous species like

rockcress and mustard, (Arabis aculeolata and Arabis subpinnatifida), snowqueen (Synthyris

reniformis), fawn lilly (Erythronium hendersonii) and camas (Camassia quamash) associated

with the Galice metamorphics as well as unusual serpentine flora associated with the ultramafic

geology.

Appropriate Footwear: Normal hiking footwear is recommended.

Group Size limit: 30

Estimated Finish Time: Between 12 and 1 pm

RT Mileage: 40 miles from DCC.

Map of Trail

Fire Starts – general area, and close to Limpy Creek

Habitat

Type

Blooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

Habitat

TypeBlooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

1

Plant List

April 2000

The Limpy Botanical Trail

NOT TO SCALE

From Grants Pass: Take State Highway 199 south 6 1/2 miles toRiverbanks Road and turn right (just after crossing the Applegate

River). Go for 4 1/2 miles to Limpy Creek Road, turn left. Limpy

Botanical Trail is at milepost 3, close to the Forest boundary.

Parking is limited at the trailhead,

please respect nearby private property.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service is a diverse organi-

zation committed to equal opportunity in employment and program delivery. USDA

prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religon, age,

disability, political affiliation and familial status. Persons believing they have been

discriminated against should contact the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Washington, DC 20250, or call 800-245-6340 (voice) or 202-720-1127 (TTY).

Publication No. # R6-11-

071-99

Siskiyou National ForestGalice Ranger District

How to get there

Blooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

Habitat

Type

Blooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

Habitat

Type

9

Brochure produced by Linda Mullens. Flowering dogwood on cover by Paula Fong.

* Thanks to the many fine folks who have contributed to this species list.*

The Siskiyou Mountains: The unique climate and complex geologic

history of the Siskiyou Mountains supports an unusually large variety of

plant species, the greatest diversity known in the Pacific Northwest.

Many of these species are endemic, occurring no where else. In the

1880’s, this region began to allure botanists in search of fascinating

plants and plant communities. Today, this trail offers people the

opportunity to explore a small portion of the Siskiyou’s botanical

wonders.

The Limpy Botanical Trail: This one mile trail loops through a

variety of habitats representative of low elevation Siskiyou Mountains.

Follow the easy grade through the cool, shady riparian forest as the

trail follows along the creek. As you approch the open meadow you’ll

find yourself at the unique serpentine Jeffrey Pine savannah. Signs

along the way describe the habitats and some of the plants adapted to

a specific set of environmental conditions. Benches along the way

allow you to stop, take a breath and enjoy the quiet solitude of this

wonderful place.

In the spirit of the pioneer botanists, enjoy your walk and

please, respect this beautiful place.

NOTES:

Limpy Botanical Trail

Habitat

Type

Blooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

Habitat

TypeBlooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

8

Apr AC Acer macrophyllum Big-leaf maple R

Feb-Mar BT Alnus rubra Red alder R

Apr ER Arbutus menziesii Pacific madrone F

CU Calocedrus decurrens Incense cedar Sd,F

CU Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Port-Orford cedar Sw,R

Apr-May CN Cornus nuttallii Pacific dogwood R

Jul FA Lithocarpus densiflora Tanoak F

PI Pinus attenuata Knobcone pine E

PI Pinus lambertiana Sugar pine E

PI Pinus jeffreyii Jeffrey pine S

PI Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine E

PI Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas-fir F

Jun FA Quercus chrysolepis Canyon live oak F,E,Rk

FA Quercus garryana Oregon white oak E

Apr FA Quercus kelloggii California black oak E

TA Taxus brevifolia Pacific yew R

Mar-Apr LU Umbellularia californica Oregon myrtle, Ca. laurel, bay F,R

AC Acer circinatum Vine maple R

May RO Amelanchier utahensis Serviceberry E

Apr ER Arctostaphylos viscida White manzanita Sd,Rk

Apr ER Arctostaphylos nevadensis Pine-mat manzanita Rk

BE Berberis aquifolium Tall Oregon-grape F

May BE Berberis nervosa Dwarf Oregon-grape F

May RH Ceanothus cuneatus Wedgeleaf ceanothus S

Jun RH Ceanothus intergerrimus Deer brush

RH Ceanothus prostratus

Apr-May RH Ceanothus pumilus Siskiyou ceanothus Sd,

Feb-Mar BT Corylus cornuta var. californica Hazelnut R

Jul RO Holodiscus discolor Ocean spray E

PH Philadelphus lewisii Mock orange E,R

Jun RO Physocarpus capitatus Ninebark R

May FA Quercus garryana ssp. breweri Brewer’s oak F,Sd,E

Mar RH Rhamnus californica California coffeeberry Sw,Sd

May-Jun ER Rhododendron occidentale Western azalea Sw

May RO Rosa gymnocarpa Baldhip or little wood rose E

RO Rubus discolor Himalayan blackberry E

May RO Rubus laciniatus Cut-leaved blackberry E

May RO Rubus leucodermis Blackcap raspberry F

Apr-Jun RO Rubus parviflorus Thimbleberry E,R

Aug CP Symphoricarpus albus var. laevigatus Snowberry E

May AN Toxicodendron diversilobum Poison oak F,E

17 TREES

SHRUBS

1

E - Edge of forest, semi-open

Sd - Serpentine dry

F - Forest

Sw - Serpentine wet

Habitat Types:

R - Riparian (streamside or wet areas)

T - Trees, or logs (grows on these surfaces)

Rk - Rock outcropping

AC Aceraceae Maple Family

AI Aristolochiaceae Pipevine Family

AN Anacardiaceae Sumac/Cashew

AL Asclepiadaceae Milkweed Family

AP Apiaceae Carrot Family

AR Araliaceae Ginseng Family

AS Asteraceae Sunflower Family

BE Berberidaceae Barberry Family

BL Blechnaceae Deer Fern Family

BO Boraginaceae Borage Family

BR Brassicaceae Mustard Family

BT Betulaceae Birch Family

CA Caryophyllaceae Pink Family

CM Campanulaceae Harebell Family

CN Cornaceae Dogwood Family

CO Convolvulaceae Morning Glory

CP Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family

CR Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family

CU Cupressaceae Cypress Family

CY Cyperaceae Sedge Family

DE Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family

DR Dryopteridaceae Wood Fern Family

ER Ericaceae Heath Family

EQ Equisetaceae Horsetail Family

FA Fagaceae Oak Family

FB Fabaceae Legume Family

HY Hydrophyllaceae Waterleaf Family

IR Iridaceae Iris Family

JU Juncaceae Rush Family

LA Lamiaceae Mint Family

LI Liliaceae Lily Family

LU Lauraceae Laurel Family

MA Malvaceae Mallow Family

OB Orobanchaceae Broom-rape Family

ON Onagraceae Evening-primrose

OR Orchidaceae Orchid Family

PA Poaceae Grass Family

PG Polygonaceae Buckwheat Family

PH Philadelphaceae Mock Orange Family

PI Pinaceae Pine Family

PL Polemoniaceae Phlox Family

PO Portulaceae Purslane Family

PR Primulaceae Primrose Family

PT Pteridaceae Brake Family

PY Polypodiaceae Polypody Fmaily

RA Ranunculaceae Buttercup

RH Rhamnaceae Buckthorn

RO Rosaceae Rose Family

RU Rubiaceae Madder Family

SA Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family

SC Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family

TA Taxaceae Yew Family

VA Valerianaceae Valerian Family

VE Vebenaceae Vervain Family

VI Violaceae Violet Family

VT Vitaceae Grape Family

Scientific Common Scientific Common

Plant Family Codes:

Blooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

Habitat

Type

Blooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

Habitat

Type

2 7

FERNS

PT Adiantum aleuticum Maidenhair fern R

PT Aspidotis densa Rock fern, Indian’s dream Sd

Apr DR Athyrium filix-femina Lady fern R

Apr DR Cystopteris fragilis Fragile fern Rk

DR Dryopteris arguta Coastal wood fern R

Apr PT Pentagramma triangularis Gold-back fern, fragile fern Rk

Jun DR Polystichum munitum Western sword fern F

Mar-Apr DR Polystichum imbricans Rock sword-fern Rk

DE Pteridium aquilinum Bracken fern E

Feb PY Polypodium glycyrrhiza Licorice fern Rk

BL Woodwardia fimbriata Chain fern R

PA Achnatherum (Stipa) lemmonii ? Lemmon’s needlegrass Sd

PA Aira caryophyllea Silver hairgrass

PA Bromus carinatus California brome

PA Bromus diandrus Ripgut brome

PA Bromus vulgaris Narrow flowered brome

CY Carex concinnoides Northwestern sedge

CY Carex mendocinensis Onespike danthonia

PA Danthonia californica California oatgrass

PA Danthonia unispicata

PA Elymus glaucus Wild blue rye E

PA Festuca arundinacea Tall fescue

PA Festuca californica California fescue

Jun PA Festuca idahoensis Idahoe fescue S

PA Festuca occidentalis Western fescue

PA Festuca rubra Red fescue S

PA Koeleria cristata Prairie junegrass

Apr JU Luzula comosa (campestris) Common wood rush Sw

PA Melica geyeri Geyer’s oniongrass

PA Melica subulata Alaska oniongrass

PA Poa secunda Sandburg bluegrass

PA Trisetum canescens Tall trisetum

PA Vulpia microstachys Small fescue

GRASSES, SEDGES, RUSHES

Bryoria fremontii Horsehair T

Alectoria vancouverensis Witch’ hair lichen

Cladonia, prob fimbriata ? Rk

Cladonia either furcata or scabriucula Rk

Dicranum scoparium Swept-coif moss Rk

Evernea sp. F

Fontinalis sp.

Homalothecium megaptilum

Hylocomium splendens Feather moss Rk

Hypogymnia sp.

Isothecium myosuroides Isothecium moss

Kindbergia oregana Oregon beaked moss F

Leucolepis menziesii Menzies’ tree moss

Lobaria pulmonaria Lungwort T

Lobaria scrobiculaia Lung lichen

Nephroma laevigatum Kidney lichen

Parmelia sp. F

Peltigera leucophlebia Felt lichen

Plagiomnium venustrum Magnificant moss

Pseudocyphellaria anthraspis Pseudocyphellaria lichen

Polytrichum juniperum Haircap moss Rk

Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Common dragon moss Rk

Umbillicaria sp. Rock tripe Rk

Usnea sp. Lichen T

LICHENS & BRYOPHYTES (MOSS & LIVERWORTS)

Apr Amanita pantherina

Apr Clavulinopsis laeticolor

Apr Craterellus cornucopioides

Apr Fomitopsis pinicola

Apr Helvella lacunosa

Apr Trametes versicolor

Apr Peziza sp.

Apr Polyporus badius

Apr Ramaria sp.

Apr Russula sp.

MUSHROOMS

Habitat

Type

Blooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

Habitat

TypeBlooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

36

VINES

FORBS

Jun CP Lonicera ciliosa Trumpet/orange honeysuckle F,E

Jun CP Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans Hairy honeysuckle F,E

May AN Toxicodendron diversilobum Poison oak F,E

May-Jun RO Rubus ursinus Pacific blackberry F

LI Smilax californica California greenbriar R

Jun CP Symphoricarpus mollis Creeping snowberry F,E

VT Vitis californica Wild grape R

Apr-Jun PH Whipplea modesta Whipplevine, Yerba de selva F

Jun-Jul AS Achillea millefolium Common yarrow Sd

BE Achlys triphylla Vanilla leaf F

Jul AS Adenocaulon bicolor Trail plant F

AS Agoseris sp. Agroseris

May-Jun LI Allium acuminatum Hooker’s onion Sd

May-Jun LI Allium bolanderi var. mirabile Bolander’s onion Sd,E

May-Jun LI Allium falcifolium Sickleleaf onion Sw

RA Anemone deltoidea Western white anemone R

Mar RA Anemone lyallii Western wood anemone F

May BR Arabis aculeolata Waldo rockcress Sd

Mar-Apr BR Arabis subpinnatifida Rockcress Sd

Jul AR Aralia californica Spikenard, Elk Clover R

Jun CA Arenaria kingii var. glabrescens King’s sandwort S

AI Asarum caudatum Long-tailed ginger F

AL Asclepias sp. Milkweed S

May-Jun RA Aquilegia formosa Western columbine F

May AS Balsamorhiza deltoidea Puget balsamroot S

Mar SA Boykinia occidentalis Bokinia R

May OB Boschniakia strobilacea Ground cone F

Jun-Jul LI Brodiaea elegans ssp. elegans Harvest brodiaea

May-Jun LI Calochortus tolmiei Mariposa lily Sd

Apr OR Calypso bulbosa Calypso orchid F

May LI Camassia howellii Howell’s camas Sd

Apr-May LI Camassia quamash (leichtlinii) Common camas Sw

Jul-Aug CM Campanula prenanthoides Harebell F

Feb-Apr BR Cardamine californica Milkmaids F

Mar-Apr BR Cardamine oligosperma Western bittercrest E

Apr-May SC Castilleja brevilobata Shortlobe paintbrush Sd

Jun ER Chimaphila menziesii Little prince’s-pine F

ER Chimaphila umbellata Common prince’s-pine F

AS Cirsium vulgare Canadian thistle (non-native)

PO Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata Miner’s lettuce

May-Jun SC Collinsia grandiflora Lg-flowered blue-eyed Mary Sd

Jun PL Collomia heterophylla Vari-leaf collomia

CO Convolvulus sp. Morning glory

May-Jun BE Vancouveria hexandra Northern inside-out flower F

Jul VE Verbena lasiostachys Western vervain

FB Vicia americana American vetch

May-Jun VI Viola adunca Early blue violet F,E,S

VI Viola cuneata Wedgeleaf violet

Mar-May VI Viola glabella Smooth yellow violet, stream violet F,R

Mar-May VI Viola halli Hall’s violet Sw

Mar-Apr VI Viola sempervirens Evergreen (redwood) violet F

Apr-Jun AS Wyethia sp. Mule ears E

May-Jun LI Zigadenus venenosus Death camas S

Blooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

Habitat

Type

Blooming

PeriodFamily

CodeScientific Name Common Name

Habitat

Type

4 5

May-Jun OR Corallorhiza striata Striped Coralroot F

Feb-Mar AS Crocidium multicaule Spring gold Sd

Mar-Apr BO Cynoglossum grande Houndstongue E

Apr-May OR Cypripedium fasciculatum Clustered lady’s slipper F

Apr-May RA Delphinium decorum Coast delphinium S

Jun LI Dichelostemma multiflorum Wild Hyacinth S

Apr-May LI Disporum hookeri Hooker’s fairybells F

Mar-Apr PR Dodecatheon hendersonii Shooting stars, bird’s beak S

Aug ON Epilobium brachycarpum Autumn willow-herb S

Jun-Aug ON Epilobium minutum Small-flowered willow-herb E

EQ Equisetum sp. Common horsetail R

May-Jun AS Eriophyllum lanatum var. grandiflorum Woolly sunflower E

Mar-Apr LI Erythronium hendersonii Henderson’s fawn lily F,E

Mar-Apr LI Erythronium oregonum Oregon fawn lily F

May RO Fragraria vesca Strawberry F

Mar-Apr LI Fritillaria affinis (lanceolata) Mission Bells E

Apr LI Fritillaria recurva Scarlet fritillaria E

Apr LI Fritillaria atropurpurea ? Checker lily S

Apr RU Galium ambiguum Obscure bedstraw S

var. siskiyounense

Apr RU Galium aparine Catchweed bedstraw Rk

RU Other galium spp. (oreganum??)

PL Gilia capitata Bluefield gilia

Jun OR Goodyera oblongifolia Rattlesnake plantain F

May-Jul SA Heuchera micrantha Smallflower alumroot

Jun AS Hieracium albiflorum Western hawkweed E

Jun-Jul RO Horkelia sericata Howell’s horkelia Sd

Jun HY Hypericum perforatum Klamath weed

Jun PL Ipomopsis aggregata Scalet gilia

May IR Iris chrysophylla Yellow-leaved iris E

FB Lathyrus sp. Peavine

May PO Lewisia oppositifolia Opposite-leaved lewisia S

Jun AP Ligusticum californicum Licorice-root F

May-Jul CA Linnaea borealis var. longiflora Western twinflower F

Apr-Jun SA Lithophragma parviflora, Woodland star S

heterphylla?

May BO Lithospermum californicum Stoneseed

May AP Lomatium dissectum Fern-leaved lomatium

May AP Lomatium hallii Hall’s lomatium E

AP Lomatium nudicaule Barestem lomatium

Mar-Jun AP Lomatium triternatum Lewis’s lomatium S,E

Apr AP Lomatium utriculatum Foothill lomatium E

Jun AS Madia madioides Woodland tar weed F,E

Microseris sp. Microseris

Mar-May SC Mimulus alsinoides Chickweed monkeyflower Rk

May-Jun SC Mimulus guttatus Yellow monkey-flower Sw,E

SC Mimulus cardinalis Scarlet monkey-flower R

May SA Mitella stauropetala R

Apr CA Moehringia macrophylia Big-leaved sandwort F

Apr/May PO Montia parvifolia Little leaf montia Rk

FORBS - Continued

May PO Montia sibirica Siberian candyflower Rk

May HY Nemophila heterophylla Vari-leaf nemophila. F,E

May-Jun SC Orthocarpus bracteosa Purple owls clover S

Apr OB Orobanche uniflora Naked broomrape S

May? AP Osmorhiza chilensis Mt. sweet cicely F

May? AP Osmorhiza occidentalis Western sweet cicely F

May-Jun SC Penstemon parvalus ? Penstemon S

AS Petasites frigidus var. palmatus Coltsfoot R

Jul AP Perideridia sp. Yampah S

Jun HY Phacelia corymbosa Serpentine phacelia

Apr-May PL Phlox subulata Moss phlox E

Aug OR Piperia (Habenaria) elongata Rein orchid F

Jul OR Piperia transversa Piperia

Apr-May BO Plagiobothrys sp. Popcorn flower S

Apr-May VA Plectritis congesta Sea Blush E

PG Polygonum douglassii ssp. majus Knotweed

Jun LA Prunella vulgaris Self-heal S

ER Pyrola aphylla Leafless pyrola F

Mar-May RA Ranunculus occidentalis Western buttercup S

Apr-May SA Romanzoffia suksdorfii Suksdorf’s romanzoffia, mist maiden

AP Sanicula sp. Sanicle

Jun LA Satureja douglasii Yerba buena

Mar-Apr SA Saxifraga californica? Calif. saxifrage S

SA Saxifraga mertensiana Merten’s saxifrage

May-Jun CR Sedum spathulifolium Spatula-leaf stonecrop Rk

May-Jun AS Senecio hesperius Siskiyou butterweed Sd

AS Senecio integerrimus Tower butterweed

AS Senecio ligulifolius Siskiyou Mtn. ragwort

May AS Senecio triangularis Arrowhead butterweed

Jun MA Sidalcea malvaeflora ssp. asprella Checker-bloom E.S

May-Jun CA Silene hookeri Hooker’s Indian pink Sd,E

May-Jun IR Sisyrinchium bellum Blue-eyed grass S

Mar IR Sisyrinchium douglassii var. douglasii Purple-eyed grass E

May LI Smilacina racemosa False Solomon’s seal F

May LI Smilacina stellata Star-flwed false Solomon’s seal F

Jun LA Stachys ajugoides var. rigida Hedge nettle E

Feb-May SC Synthyris reniformis Spring-queen, grouse flower F

Jun AS Taraxicum officianale Dandelion (non-native)

May SA Tellima grandiflora Fringecup F

SA Tolmiea menziesii Pig-a-back plant R

SC Tonella tenella Small-flowered tonella

Apr-May FB Trifolium eriocephalum Wooly-head clover S

var. eriocephalum

May-Jun PR Trientalis latifolia Starflower F

Apr LI Trillium albidum Giant trillium E

Mar-Apr LI Trillium ovatum Western wood trillium F

Mar LI Trillium rivale Brook wakerobin F

May- Jun LI Triteleia hendersonii Henderson’s triteleia E,F

May-Jun LI Triteleia hyacinthina White hyacinthina S

LI Triteleia laxa? bridgesii? Ithuriel’s spear E

FORBS - Continued