Of special note are two native annuals who grow on the volcanic scree along Grizzly Peak Blvd, not far from the Siesta Gate where we gather.  This volcanic talus or scree is part of the Moraga Volcanics that extend from Sibley Park north through Vollmer and Grizzly Peaks to form the San Pablo Ridge.  At the spot on Grizzly Peak Blvd, the lighter colored bands of rock are probably lithified volcanic ash that is crumbling down the road cut.  This whole area is the western face of the same ridge of which we are restoring the east face.  Several of the annual plants that grow here also grow in isolated spots towards Barberry Peak.  I have been clearing thistles along this section of the road this year, because it is botanically rich and noteworthy.  Several of us visited this area after "work" on Sunday.

These two plants are of special note because they are typically found in hot inland areas, such as Mt. Diablo, and also further south in the Coast Ranges, through Santa Barbara, LA and down into Baja.  They are very uncommon in our area.

The first is Chia (Salvia columbariae).  Chia is an annual sage, noted for their profuse seeds.  They are very nutrituous, you can buy them in a health food store.  The seeds were an important Indian food.  When Portola and his group were coming north in 1769 from San Diego (searching for Monetery Bay harbor) the Indians along the way presented them with baskets of Chia seed.  And then, there's chia pets. The seeds get very sticky when wet. The flowers are small, but very intense blue, borne in prickly whorls on straight stems.  They are charmers.  Here's a picture of them along Grizzly Peak Blvd a month ago: