Pacific Poison Oak, Rhus Toxicodendron diversilobum
Photo credit: Las Pilitas Nursery
It’s HALLOWEEN, and all things SCARY take center stage. Here in California’s
Santa Monica Mountains I ponder what could be scary as I go
about my day~
Starting
out the day with a hike, following a trail through tall grass, it would
be SCARY to run into a thicket of Pacific Poison Oak (Rhus
Toxicondendron).
In
the autumn, the red leaves-of-three add colorful interest among the tan-colored
grass. At least in autumn, then, it is easier to spy the Rhus Toxicondendron in
the grass than at other times of the year. Worse yet, you could run into
Pacific Poison Oak hiding in your own backyard! If you do, try to save
some of it for the deer, as it is an important food source for them.
The berries are also important food source to the birds
in wintertime. Few native gardeners would plant Pacific Poison Oak,
but some are brave enough to leave it alone to take its necessary place in the
ecosystem.
Prickly Pear Cactus with Cochineal Insects, Topanga,
Photo by
Kathy Vilim
Another SCARY plant
of the California chaparral is the Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia littoralis). There are a number of different types
of cactus that cover the hills here, and many long spines to look out for.
The prickly pear that dominates my yard at times becomes covered in this
white mold-like stuff. But it is far from it. Take a hose to that mold
one day, as I did, and you will find the mold MOVES! It
is ALIVE!
In fact, it is actually a type of scale insect
called Cochineal that burrows into the flesh
of the cactus and sucks the cactus’ juice. If you manage to remove
the Cochineal with the spray of water, what you get is a red ink that
looks like BLOOD! Indians used it to dye clothes, and in some
places, farmers still grow cactus for this red dye. Still, it
is SCARY to get too close to the cactus. Some of their
pricklers are so tiny as to be practically invisible, while others are
downright long and SCARY, and they may be lurking in the tall
grass!
Young Pacific Rattlesnake,
Photo by: Santa Monica Mountains
Recreation Area
So
you’ve gotten past the Pacific Poison Oak without a scratch, and you’ve passed
through the tall grass without getting poked by a cactus. That’s just a
little red cactus juice on your pants, not BLOOD. Surely, there is
nothing else Lurking in the Grass.. Nothing like say, Mr. Rattlesnake?
Yes, the rattlesnake is a resident
of the California chaparral, as well. There are 7 different species of Rattlesnake
in Southern California alone incl: Western Diamondback, Sidewinder, Speckled
rattlesnake, Red Diamond rattlesnake, Southern Pacific, Great Basin rattlesnake
and the Mojave rattlesnake. It is very SCARY to walk
through the tall grass thinking about SNAKES! Some people
will carry a staff or walking stick with them for this reason. But not to
worry, for most of the rattlesnakes have begun their hibernation by this time.
Little Brown Bat, photo by BLM.gov (Myotis-lucifugus)
Halloween is coming, and it is time to walk down the hill, down to the creek to watch the bats emerge! Topanga has several different types of
resident bats that live under the bridges. The Mexican free-tailed
bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) are the most common species
living under the bridge.
They are attracted to the many insects that
live by the creek. As darkness settles in, BATS will appear,
all at once, startling you as they take flight! SCARY BATS take
to the sky, wings darker than the darkening Halloween night sky. Leaving
their alcoves, BATS claim the night time, which is theirs to share
with coyote and owl.
Coyote (Canis latrans) Photo Credit: Demented Pixie
On
your way home, you might listen to owls hooting from up high up in tall pine
trees serenading you, and you might wish you could see them. Then, if you
feel like you are being followed, you might just be, as that curious trickster, COYOTE may be escorting you
home! SCARY!
What SCARY things
are waiting in your neighborhood this Halloween?
(reprinted- original post by Kathy Vilim on beautifulwildifegarden.com October, 2013)
