NEWSLETTER

June - August 2009

Upcoming Monthly Programs

Monday, June 1 Doors open 7:15 Program starts 7:30 PM

Farming in the South Bay
Speaker: Judith Gerber author of the book Farming in Torrance and the South Bay

Judith has done extensive research on this fascinating piece of our local history and published an Images
of America book. She is currently working on a more detailed book on the same topic. Join us for this
very interesting discussion.

Location: South Coast Botanical Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula,
Classroom closest to the garden entrance

Monday, July 6 - 6 PM
Annual Summer Picnic and Hike at George F. Canyon

Members and non-members alike are invited to join us at for our annual picnic and hike. We are meeting
at 6 PM so we can enjoy the serenity of dusk in the canyon. Refreshments will be provided on the
outdoor deck. Then we will take a stroll through the pristine canyon. Our tour guides will point our native
plants and the birds and insects that frequent the canyon.

Location: George F. Canyon is located at the southwest corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos
Verdes Drive North, 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates
Monday, August 3 – Doors open 7:15 Program starts at 7:30 PM
Battling Exotic Trees and Streamside Weeds
Speaker: Bill Neill, Riparian Repairs

Bill Neill, invasive weed control expert, will discuss problems caused by and methods for controlling major
invasive perennial weeds clogging our streams and exotic trees are crowding out and displacing our
native trees and shrubs. Invasive weeds are one of the greatest threats to native flora and fauna, to free-
flowing streams and to water retention in floodplains of southern California. Bill has helped several CNPS
chapters with severe weed invasions. Come and learn about riparian weeds and what control method
works best!

Location: South Coast Botanical Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula,
Classroom closest to the garden entrance

Point Vicente Native Plant Garden

Scenic Gardening Day

Dates to be Determined – 9:30 AM - noon
Point Vicente Interpretive Center - 31501 Palos Verdes Dr. W., Rancho Palos Verdes

Help us maintain our lovely native plant garden at the Point Vicente Native Plant Garden in Rancho Palos
Verdes overlooking the ocean. Our gardening days are always fun, and it is a great way to meet and get
to know other Native Plant lovers. We will schedule dates based on what needs to be done and what the
weather conditions are. Times will be scheduled for both weekday and weekend gardening. Check our
website for schedule updates.

If you are interested in volunteering at this garden overlooking the ocean and would like to be on our
email distribution list please call Barbara at (310) 831-0032 or send email to bsattler@igc.org.

Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve

Environmental Festival 2009

Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM
There will be tours of the Preserve, demonstrations, children’s area, DJ entertainment, food court, 50/50
Raffle, Live Birds of Prey. Public Invited -- Free Admission

Stroll the Preserve

June 14, July 12, August 9 - 1PM to 4PM – (Second Sunday of the month)
Would you like to immerse yourself in a relaxing stroll through wilderness? Here is your chance! Take a
walk through the Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve. Be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes, a hat,
sunscreen and insect repellant and bring your camera!!

Willows Restoration Days

June 10, July 18, August 15 - 8 AM – 11 AM (Third Saturday of the month)
Remove non-native plants and restore habitat. Tools, gloves & water will be provided. Wear work
clothes, hat, sun screen and sturdy shoes. Come and enjoy a morning in the wilderness! Completed
Volunteer Form Required. Please bring your form with you and give it to the volunteer at the sign-in
table. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have parent's signature on form.

The Gardena Willows Preserve entrance is located in Arthur Johnson Park (formerly South Park)
Between Normandie & Vermont- One block north of Artesia, 1200 W. 170th St, Gardena (310) 217-0681
http://gardenawillows.org/index.htm
 George F. Canyon

First Saturday Hikes – 1 PM

June 6, August 1
Come join their expert guide for a lovely hike. $3 per person will bring you into a wonderful world of
curiosity and discovery. The guide will answer questions on habitat, geology, drainage, wildlife, folklore
and more. Allow 2 hours for this walk.

Canyon Night Hikes – Times TBA

Approximate dates: June 7, July 7, August 6
Held on or near a full moon evening, this walk will bring you to the top of the canyon for a fantastic view of
city lights below. The two-mile round trip hike will experience nocturnal delights as well as a 300 ft. rise in
elevation. Lots of fun!! Bring a flashlight. $7 per person. Children must be at least 8 years old. Guide will
take you on a gentle walk and introduce you to the natural history of one of the Peninsula's most beautiful
canyons at night. Poison oak which is common near the stream bed will be identified. Please allow 2
hours for the walk. RESERVATIONS A MUST AS THIS WALK IS LIMITED TO 20 PERSONS. Actual
dates may vary.

George F. Canyon is located at the southwest corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos Verdes Drive
North, 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates (310) 547-0862. The Nature Center is open
Friday 1 pm - 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 4 pm, other days by appointment.
http://www.pvplc.org/land/georgefcanyon/

Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve

Environmental Festival 2009

Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM
There will be tours of the Preserve, demonstrations, children’s area, DJ entertainment, food court, 50/50
Raffle, Live Birds of Prey. Public Invited -- Free Admission

Stroll the Preserve

June 14, July 12, August 9 - 1PM to 4PM – (Second Sunday of the month)
Would you like to immerse yourself in a relaxing stroll through wilderness? Here is your chance! Take a
walk through the Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve. Be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes, a hat,
sunscreen and insect repellant and bring your camera!!

Willows Restoration Days

June 10, July 18, August 15 - 8 AM – 11 AM (Third Saturday of the month)
Remove non-native plants and restore habitat. Tools, gloves & water will be provided. Wear work
clothes, hat, sun screen and sturdy shoes. Come and enjoy a morning in the wilderness! Completed
Volunteer Form Required. Please bring your form with you and give it to the volunteer at the sign-in
table. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have parent's signature on form.

The Gardena Willows Preserve entrance is located in Arthur Johnson Park (formerly South Park)
Between Normandie & Vermont- One block north of Artesia, 1200 W. 170th St, Gardena (310) 217-0681
http://gardenawillows.org/index.htm
 Madrona Marsh Events

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Taught by Connie Vadheim (CSU Dominquez Hills)
Classes include a walk in the Madrona Native Plant Gardens, where students can see the featured plants.
Free.

Simply Succulent
Saturday, June 6, 10:00-noon; repeats Tues. June 9th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Native Southern California Cacti and Succulents for the Home Garden.

Gardening on Sand
Saturday, August 1, 10:00-noon; repeats Tues. August 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Gardening on Sand.

Marsh Tours
Nature Walk
Saturday June 27, Sunday June 28, Saturday July 25, Sunday July 26, Saturday August 22,
Sunday August 23 – 10 AM – 12 PM
Take a relaxing, informative walk with a docent, exploring and enjoying the Preserve in the fall. The
program is good for all ages and is free. The Nature Walk re-occurs twice a month on the 4th
weekend.

Night Hike
Saturday June 20, , August 8 - 7:30 to 9:30 P.M.
Enjoy a relaxing evening stroll on the Preserve. Watch the sun set and moon rise.
The fee is $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family to the first 25 who register.

Madrona Marsh Nature Center is located at 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance (310-782-3989)
http://www.friendsofmadronamarsh.com/naturecenter.htm

Do we have your Current Email Address?

Please make sure we have your current email address. Please contact our Membership Chair Cindy
Kondon at C.JJKondon.earthlink.net with your current email address so you don’t miss any important
updates and announcements.

Renew Online to CNPS

Renew your CNPS membership online using a credit card. As an option, set it up to renew
automatically year after year. It is quick, easy, convenient, and reduces renewal mailing costs.
http://www.cnps.org. Click on the JOIN button
 Bluff Cove Finding - Coastal Creeper
Recently Ivan Snyder discovered some rare Aphanisma blitoides (San Diego Coastal Creeper) growing in
Bluff Cove.

Mark Your Calendars

Fall Native Plant Sale
Saturday October 3rd, 2009
South Coast Botanical Gardens
9 AM – 4 PM
 Remembering the Lupine

by Ivan Snyder

Our newsletter may already have featured articles on the Lupine which I missed. After all, the Lupine
is our South Coast Chapter logo. But perhaps I might be able to add a few amusing bits you don't already
know and which is not found on wikipedia.com.
The Lupine is a special flower for me. It was the very first wildflower I learned. In 1961 my grandfather
John E. Weaver ('Pop', short for Poppa John) built his dream home on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. He
chose a lot on the cliff top which would have beach access after we put a trail in. One memorable
Springtime day, when I was about six years old or younger, my grandfather led me down the trail and
pointed out a blue-purple flower. "That flower there is a Lupine".
My first lupine was Lupinus succulentus, commonly known as the Arroyo Lupine. Also found on the
peninsula, though less common here, are L. bicolor, L. longifolius, and L. truncatus. There are many
many more native species in California; which is practically the lupine capitol of the world. The most
beautiful I think is the perennial Wand Lupine, L. formosus (meaning beautiful). This species is abundant
in the Santa Monica Mountains where I see it on the Topanga State Park Trail. A nice plant for the garden
having a delightful grape soda scented flowers. In Europe, Russell's Hybrid Lupine is much loved in
flower gardens. No surprise the hybrid originated in California.
How the Lupine got its name is often misunderstood. Usually is quoted the old idea that the plants rob
soil of nutrients like wolves. Nonsense. Romans and Greeks maligned the lupine as food for peasants.
That’s right, the original interest in the lupine was for eating. The common Latin name was Pisum
Lupinum (lupine = wolf or wild dog; pisum = peas). Thus, the ultimate culinary insult English equivalent:
Dog food! But why were they so disliked? The answer is found in other names for the lupine: Thermos in
Greece, and thurmus in Egypt and Palestine. These names from different languages are derived from the
word hot, though for us translates as bitter.
The lupine still is used as food., and it's really not so bad after properly prepared. Nowadays we
Americans are not acquainted with eating lupine peas. This is because of the lingering tales of poisonings
to livestock animals which have grazed upon them. Most species are toxic in the natural state (L. breweri
in Yosemite seemed to be edible as is, but don't trust me). In order to make lupine seed edible it must first
be leached of that unpalatable bitter alkaloid principal. Similarly as with acorns, this is done by soaking
and draining the water off several times. Thus rendered edible they are much like beans. This leaching
trick was known all over the world since ancient times. A great many other plant foods are made edible
this way. I once ate over a pound of the deadly California Buckeye, much to the astonishment of friends,
with no ill affect after leaching. I recommend you not try this yourself without expert assistance.
Consequences could prove disastrous for individuals unable to detect bitterness.
The lupine is one of few crop plants domesticated in both Old and New Worlds. L. albus has been the
most cultivated for food and fodder and was common to ancient Egyptians and Greeks. In the 20th
century L. albus was further selected for larger non bitter seed. In Europe these are sold as Lupini Beans.
In the Andes prehistoric American Indians domesticated a lupine of their own, L. mutabilis. Although still
cultivated to a small extent this species was replaced with other more desirable upper class crop plants.
In Mexico and Guatemala L. pubescens was anciently selected for food. Obviously considering it often
has unnaturally colored white seed. Later this species became a popular garden flower around the world,
but today no one remembers this lupine.
Around North America a number of lupines are reported to have been used as food. From Canada to
Florida the bitter seed of L. perennis was eaten by Indians. Though more obscure, the California Indians
apparently used lupine as food too. An early ethnobotanist, V. K. Chestnut, reported the Indians of
Mendocino County leached the greens of L. luteolus by boiling and discarding the water. Also Chestnut
wrote the Indians said they used the seed as food but doubted it. I suspect this is because she knew so
well how toxic lupine seed can be. It seems likely lupine peas were eaten in our area as well. I figure our
L. succulentus could have been a yearly gathered staple. This annual species is very productive seed
wise. The Luiseno of San Diego County reportedly ate greens of L. succulentus. Again, probably after
boiling and discarding the water.
I was born and raised in Hermosa Beach and was familiar with the L. succulentus and tiny L. bicolor,
plentiful in my school days, growing wild just a short walk from home. There are no more in Hermosa, but
there are still some hanging on across the street in Redondo Beach on the vacant land beneath the
powerlines out back of the Edison power plant. Surely the Indians of the long gone village there,
Engnovangna, harvested them. I transplanted some of the L. succulentus to my front yard where they
grew till I sold the house in 2006. I made snacks of my surplus lupine peas. Not a family tradition though. I
learned about leaching from books long ago. I still have some of my last harvest and dream of a day
when I might grow them again. I'm living in an apartment now and, sadly, lupines do poorly in pots.
My parents, grandparent, and great grandparents from the sand dunes of old Hermosa and Manhattan
Beach surely knew the lupine before the dunes were all built over. I recently asked my 90 year old Uncle
Bill Snyder (one of the Sand People as they were known) if he remembered lupines around his old home
on the beach. He said they were common on the dunes in his younger days. He and the rest of my family
probably remember the Dune Lupine L. chamissonis which inhabits beachside sand dunes. None of the
old family photos I have show any lupines, but I can imagine how the dunes must have looked back then.
In Playa Del Rey is a resurrected population of Dune Lupine. I toured the trail through the Ballona
Wetlands Saltwater Marsh there and was told the story. The habitat had grown over by the cursed
iceplant for several decades and the lupine had completely disappeared. In restoring the area in recent
years the iceplant was removed. Miraculously, the Dune Lupine re-sprouted from dormant seed which lay
beneath the unwholesome carpet. I was assured no one planted any lupine seed there. Apparently while
removing the iceplant lupine seed was scarified and promptly germinated after adequately fulfilling its
dormancy requirement.
There is so much more I could tell you about lupines. But I guess you all already appreciate the flower
enough. For the greatest show of L. succulentus I know of on the Peninsula visit the beach at Portuguese
Bend in the late Winter / early Springtime (see photo, taken 3/14/09). This is a quite an unusual habitat for
the lupine. It's most similar to a sand dune; but instead of sand the dune is composed of small loose
stones. Little else grows around this large isolated patch. I pray this lupine oasis continues its splendid
yearly display for all to enjoy. Take your grandchildren with you. The hike will forever be a pleasant
memory for them.
 Electronic Newsletter
To continue to receive your expanded electronic copy and to save the chapter printing costs, be sure to
send your current email address to our Membership Chair Cindy Kondon at: C.JJKondon.earthlink.net.
Newsletters are also available on our local web site: http://www.sccnps.org.

Please send any announcement requests, any other articles of interest, comments and suggestions to the
newsletter editor: Christine Martin at: ChrisMM@socal.rr.com.

South Coast CNPS Website

Watch for exciting changes coming up soon on our website. Our address will not be changing but we will
be adding new features: http://www.sccnps.org

South Coast CNPS Chapter Officers

Board Members

President / Web Master: David Berman

Vice President / Chapter Council Alternate Delegate: David Sundstrom
Secretary/Treasurer : Lynn McLeod
Horticulture/Plant Sale Coordinator: Ric Dykzeul
Horticulture / Point Vicente Garden: Tony Baker
Spring Garden Tour / Board Member at Large: Loretta Rose
Chapter Council Delegate / Archives Chair: Barbara Sattler
Membership Cindy Kondon
Outreach Chair Griselda Sasayama
Program Chair / Newsletter : Christine Martin
Conservation Committee: David Sundstrom, Tony Bake, Barbara Sattler

Chairs

Publicity / Madrona Marsh: Carol Roelen

Rare Plants, Ethnobotany: Ivan Snyder