This small non-native Galium (I think) is most abundant ground cover, on lower part of newly sunny area due to oak blow-downs. Also some bermuda buttercup (dominant nearer serviceroad), chickweed, erharta, few of usual non-native geraniums. Future will be interesting.
Earharta scattered in newly sunny meadow. It was here before. It will be interesting to see what dominates over time
Large stand of Himalayan blackberry immediately west of vinca (see observation), S. side of service road downhihll from north end of Regency Court. Appoears to spread uphill and west, meeting large broom, poison hemlock, and other invasives. Who owns the unmowed, flammable slope?
First live oaks on S. side of service road down from Regency Court North end. More or less a large manhole, a bit east of big bay tree on N. side of road. Slope very steep, not well vegetated, looks in danger of eroding. just a little higher than baytree. Slope here still looks in danger of eroding.
GPS was off, presumably due to steep bank.
Unknown growing in bowl shelter of large old stump with what may be re-sprouting elderberry. Square, thin, somewhat woody stem. Leaves opposite, up to 1.5" long but most under 1 in., dark green, very slightly hairy, toothed. with what may be re-sprouting elderberry Square, thin, somewhat woody stem. Leaves no mint odor. About 1 ft high.
Since trees were cut a few years ago, mayten has spread rapidly up the road -- now occupying about 40 feet of bank along S. side of rd -- and across road, heading into creek canyon. This bank was full of natives. When cut, mayten spreads rapidly by roots. It is almost impossible to get rid of.
Another of the large wavy-leaf Pittosporums in canyon of creek downstream from N. end of Regency Court, with willows. This one almost to bend in road.
Small and large pyracantha invading or spreading in curve of service road uphill from Schmidt, with sugar bush.
Crescent of more than a dozen katoni esters of different sizes surrounding old stump, with a couple of smaller seedling toyons. It would be great if these could be removed and toyon's. Cultivated. Cotoneaster has been a disaster in this area.
Cotoneasters more or less taking over under pines downslope, all sizes, at least 50 visible from wherephotos taken. Also seedling toyons in grass, but they get mowed.
Cotoneasters taking over, becoming close to continuous for about 100 ft. on slope leading down to Schmidt, east of magnificent toyon (see observation). There are several hundred cotoneasters. It was not like this when I began removing broom here about 15 years go. This was one of the best wildflower meadows. These are the result of seeds from birds roosting in the pine branches, and no control. The result is a highly flammable understory.
Several pyracanthas have berries despite mowing pretty low. One very large shrub downhill at Schmidt. These and cotoneasters and toyons come from birds nesting in planted pines.
Non-native vetches, not yet identifiable, coming up although this is the winter solstice and the first heavy rain hs just fallen. These are not new in this part of the HNA; observtion is for phenology.
GPS was wildly displaced south, to above SeaView Place. Point has been moved, but exact location unimportant. This is the area between Schmidt and the service road.