Chaparral Nolina, Nolina cismontana

Chaparral Nolina (Chaparral Beargrass)

Nolina cismontana
(formerly a subspecies of Nolina parryi)

The only taxon in this family (Butcher's broom family) in Orange County. It is listed on CNPS List 1B.2 (species that are rare throughout their range and occur primarily within California), and designated moderately threatened. It is known from only 4 counties in southern California: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Ventura, and is in decline in most of its range (Wikipedia).

It is uncommon in general, but fairly common in a narrow band of dry chaparral and coastal sage scrub along the western side of the Santa Ana Mountains from Gypsum and Coal Canyons south to Santiago and Live Oak Canyon, and scattered in the southern Lomas de Santiago. There are isolated populations in Mission Viejo, Talega and Upper Hot springs Canyons (Roberts). Flowering May- July.

Inflorescences. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise	Chaparral Nolina (Chaparral Beargrass) Nolina cismontana (formerly a subspecies of Nolina parryi) The only taxon in this family (Butcher's broom family) in Orange County. It is listed on CNPS List 1B.2 (species that are rare throughout their range and occur primarily within California), and designated moderately threatened. It is known from only 4 counties in southern California: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Ventura, and is in decline in most of its range (Wikipedia). It is uncommon in general, but fairly common in a narrow band of dry chaparral and coastal sage scrub along the western side of the Santa Ana Mountains from Gypsum and Coal Canyons south to Santiago and Live Oak Canyon, and scattered in the southern Lomas de Santiago. There are isolated populations in Mission Viejo, Talega and Upper Hot springs Canyons (Roberts). Flowering May- July. Back to Ruscaceae of Orange County, California Back to Monocots of Orange County, California Back to Natural History of Orange County, California
There is a thick woody erect stem above ground. Leaves are about an inch wide, 3 inches at the base, with minutely serrate margins (not fibrous-shredding), occasionally glaucous. Male plant with emerging flower stalk. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise	A long-lived dioecious perennial, 1- 3 ft. tall with 30-90 long narrow sword-like leaves up to 4.6 ft. long, (similar to Hesperoyucca whipplei but less stiff), forming a basal rosette. Male plant. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise
Male plant, buds and early flowers. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise	Six perianth parts and six stamens; pistils reduced in staminate flowers. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise
The inflorescence is a compound panicle of whitish flowers interspersed with pointed persistent bracts on an erect leafless 3 to 5 ft. stalk. Female flowers. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise	Pistillate (female) flowers have 6 white perianth parts in 2 petal-like whorls with staminodes; ovary superior, 3-chambered, style and 3 stigmas short. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise
Dense thicket of plants covering slope. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise	Base of plants. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise
This plant is a fire follower, with prolific blooming and reproduction after fires (Wikipedia). There is evidence of recent fire in several of the photos shown here, possibly accounting for the large number of plants in this area. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise	It is found on rocky sandstone and gabbro substrates (in contrast with N. parryi, which is more often found in woodlands on granite soils). Early flower stalk. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise
Early developing fruit. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise	Fruit is a papery capsule with one to three 1/4 in. red-brown seeds. Early developing fruit. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise
Maturing fruit, note persistent pointed bracts. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise	Female plants with maturing fruit. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise
Maturing fruit. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise	Santiago Tr. Tr., 2-28-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.
Nolina cismontana L, Hesperoyucca whipplei R., Serrano Creek, vic. Whiting Ranch, 11-20-14 (53)	Nolina cismontana L, Hesperoyucca whipplei R., Serrano Creek, vic. Whiting Ranch, 11-20-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.
Nolina cismontana L, Hesperoyucca whipplei R., Serrano Creek, vic. Whiting Ranch, 11-20-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.	Nolina cismontana L, Hesperoyucca whipplei R., Serrano Creek, vic. Whiting Ranch, 11-20-14. © Ron Vanderhoff.