pbs Digest, Vol 22, Issue 26
ConroeJoe@aol.com (Wed, 24 Nov 2004 15:32:38 PST)

In a message dated 11/24/2004 11:03:05 AM Central Standard Time, Mary Sue
wrote:

Hi,

Sometimes members of this list provide information that reminds me of my
years in California. The Jepson Prairie is 10-15 miles south of Dixon, CA
(between Vacaville and Davis). I don't know how many bulb-type plants grow there but
do recall seeing Brodiaea coronaria years ago. A species of Fritillaria
occurs in the general area. I don't think either of these species actually grows
in the pools; probably they grow on the nearby prairie.

The preserve holds some of the finest vernal pools left in California; these
are shallow basins 8-30 inches deep that fill with water in the cool rainy
months. The pools are a unique habitat for plants and animals--and sometimes
provide exceptional wildflower displays. The nearby land is level and water does
not collect; thus the pools are special and rare. As the pools dry in spring
wildflowers grow in the basins--special wildflowers adapted to the seasonal
wetland provided by the pools.

I'm not sure how the pools originated, but many are gone due to plowing and
other efforts to facilitate agriculture. Without the pools a number of species
might become much more rare.

Conroe Joe