Coyote Creek 2
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Coyote Creek 2
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© W.P. Armstrong 7 April 2010

Lower Willows & Collins Valley

Lemnaceae (Araceae): Lemna valdiviana (Valdivia Duckweed)

Thickets of slender willow (Salix exigua) near the third crossing of Coyote Creek. The duckweeds were floating and submersed in shallow, slow-moving water beneath the willows.

A brief introduction to the taxonomy of Lemna valdiviana: This species is often mistaken for L. minuta, especially when the latter species in growing in the shade. The extent of the vein is one of the most important characteristics to separate the two species. The left image is a classic L. valdiviana collected in central California. Unfortunately, most of the specimens collected in Coyote Creek do not have prominent veins, but show enough characteristics to separate them from L. minuta.

Dorsal view of Lemna valdiviana, showing extent of nerve (vein) in relation to node (point of root attachment) and apex of plant body. The single vein extends beyond the midpoint to about 3/4 of the distance between the node and apex. Note: The midpoint here is between the node and the apex, not the midpoint of the entire plant body. The nerve often extends beyond the region of air spaces (aerenchyma tissue). These characteristics rule out L. minuta, at least the typical form that grows in full sunlight. In L. minuta, the nerve rarely extends beyond the aerenchyma tissue and only extends about half (sometimes 2/3) the distance from the node to apex. These may seem like relatively minor morphological differences, but DNA sequencing studies clearly separate these two closely-related species.

Lemna valdiviana in the shade beneath the willow thickets. Some of the plants were submersed under other vegetation. The closely-related L. minuta typically grows on the water surface, not submersed.

Lemna valdiviana: Although it is barely discernible, the single vein appears to extend beyond the region of air spaces (aerenchyma tissue). In addition, the plant bodies are connected in clonal colonies of 4-5. In typical L. minuta growing in full sunlight the plant bodies are connected in 2's and the vein only extends about half the distance from the node to apex (rarely beyond the aerenchyma tissue), or is not even discernible under a hand lens.

The above image shows the main diagnostic traits of Lemna valdiviana: (1) Thin, transparent-green plants with one layer of air spaces (aerenchyma tissue). (2) A single vein that extends beyond the midpoint to about 3/4 of the distance between the node and apex. It often extends beyond the region of air spaces (aerenchyma tissue). (3) Plant bodies in clonal clusters of 2-5 (or more). L. minuta in full sunlight usually occurs in clonal clusters of 2. L. minuta growing in shade often has larger plant bodies in clusters of 4.

Ventral (underside) view of Lemna valdiviana showing a single vein that extends 3/4 of the distance between the node (point of root attachment) and apex of the plant body.

Another ventral view of Lemna valdiviana showing a single vein that extends 3/4 of the distance between the node (point of root attachment) and apex of the plant body. According to Landolt, this is one of the most reliable characteristics to separate it from L. minuta because of the variability of these two species under different growing conditions.

There is little doubt that the single vein extends 3/4 of the distance between the node (point of root attachment) and apex of the plant body. Therefore, this duckweed must be Lemna valdiviana.

Hylidae: Hyla californiae (California Treefrog)

California treefrog (Hyla californiae). Syn. Pseudacris cadaverina.

Ascomycetes: Morchella esculenta (Yellow Morel)

The yellow morel (Morchella esculenta) is described by David Arora in his book Mushrooms Demystified (1986), as "one of the most avidly hunted of all wild mushrooms." The similar white morel (M. deliciosa) is also described a "delectably delicious."

 See More Yellow & White Morels Collected In Southern California 

Coreidae: Leptoglossus clypealus (Western Leaf-Footed Bug)

A western leaf-footed bug sitting on arrow weed (Pluchea sericea). The common name of this bug is derived from the leaf-like enlargements of its hind tibiae (white arrow).

Loasaceae: Mentzelia veatchiana (Veatch's Stick Leaf)

This beautiful little "stick leaf" or "blazing star" also grows near the summit of Volcan Mountain.

 Mentzelia veatchiana Near Summit of Volcan Mountain. 

Poaceae: Phragmites australis (Common Reed)

Common Reed (Phragmites australis) along Coyote Creek just below Collins Valley.

Views Of Remote Collins Valley Above Lower Willows

Collins Valley with palm oasis (Washingtonia filifera) and patch of desert dandelion.

Collins Valley with "Square Top Mountain" in the distance.

Asteraceae: Malacothrix glabrata (Desert Dandelion)

Bedrock grinding stone in Collins Valley. Unfortunately, the author left his pen on the boulder.

Hydrophyllaceae: Pholistoma membranaceum (White Fiesta Flower)

Close-up view of blue-purple fruits of white fiesta flower (Pholistoma membranaceum).

Ranunculaceae: Delphinium parishii ssp. subglobosum (Desert Larkspur)

Boraginaceae: Cryptantha nevadensis (Nevada Cryptantha)

 See Cryptantha ganderi (1) 
See Cryptantha ganderi (2)
See Cryptantha pterocarya
See Cryptantha barbigera

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