Plants Fungi

As you are out enjoying the parks this summer, be sure to take a closer look and appreciate the many ways that plants have adapted to ecological conditions to disperse their seeds.

Invasive species cause an imbalance to native communities and upset the food web that has long been established. 

Volunteers with Marin’s Park Stewardship team have been gathering together branches and sticks, lashing them together, and dumping them in Redwood Creek. Some strange ritualistic behavior? Or evidence of restoration science at work? Find out by reading on.

The Spring Equinox is almost upon us and it’s the time of year when we all wait for the rains to get the wildflower show started. At the Redwood Creek Nursery, though, we are collecting something a little different this year.

For 15 years (as of April 2012), students at Oceana High School have been growing plants on campus for restoration projects in the parks. See what they have accomplished at this sixth Parks Conservancy native plant nursery—and learn how they took the initiative to expand their green oasis.

A dry and relatively warm winter means the wildflowers are popping early this year (2012)! In March, the parks start unfolding their spectacular spectrum of color. Read on for our park botanists’ favorite petal-peeping spots.

Shamrocks are one of the quintessential symbols of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, but have you ever wondered how these cute green icons compare to plants we see in the wild, here in the Golden Gate National Parks?

The seasonal game of hide and go seek has begun! It’s time for a favorite wintertime activity: mushroom hunting! With the late rains, we’ll be seeing mushrooms popping up later than usual in our parks. Let’s get started!

What’s the most beautiful native plant in the parklands that you’ve never seen? Here’s a hint: its magenta flowers are so bright that it’s known by a range of common names that sound like lipsticks: rose delight, red sensation, and spring charm. Still stumped? Read on, and learn about its intriguing mystery.