The restoration site is on the right.
Last month, CNPS-SD teamed up with Audubon Society to do a quick clean-up of invasive plants around a patch of rare and endangered Acmispon prostratus, or Nuttall’s Lotus, at Hospitality Point on Mission Bay. This was speedily coordinated by CNPS-SD member Bonnie and Andrew from SD Audubon Society. Within a few days, State Parks gave permission for a group to weed there for a couple hours one Wednesday.
Can you spot the Acmispon in this photo? It’s not the yellow Beach Primrose (Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia) on the top right!
The sandy soil was thick with crown daisy (Glebionis coronaria) and burclover (Medicago polymorpha) and various invasive grasses. Getting down on hands and knees was the easiest way to spot the tender plants under the mat of burclover.
Cindy and Al make their way through a patch of weeds.
The Acmsipon finally emerging from the tangle. Flags were put at the base of the Acmispon to mark their locations.
The growing weed pile. While we were a little late (the burclover and grass were already seeding) we still got hundreds of invasive seeds off the ground.
Bonnie discovered the protected area last year while searching for native bees around the county to photograph for iNat. She did some research on the area and found it was a past project from CNPS member Gary Suttle, who passed away in March 2015. He won an award from CNPS for his work on conserving Acmispon prostratus. He was featured in our July-August newsletter of 2006:
Gary Suttle
Chapter member Gary Suttle received the State CNPS Volunteer Recognition Award on June 3rd for his diligence in studying and protecting the rare Nuttall’s Lotus, Lotus nuttallianus, in the San Diego area. Gary has learned about and worked to protect Nutall’s lotus for years. He surveyed accessible populations (including some on military bases) and raised awareness of the species in the jurisdictions responsible for its management. He personally convinced the City of San Diego to protect a population that was being impacted by a volleyball court. Gary first weeded the site by himself and later began organizing work parties. He has worked to promote weed control at other sites by providing photo-documentation before and after invasion to demonstrate the problem. In adopting and studying Nuttall’s lotus, Gary has insured protection and appreciation of this rare plant in the San Diego area. His own efforts and his involvement of others, including city staff, demonstrate what a dedicated, self-taught volunteer can accomplish.
His obituary was on page 5 of our June 2015 newsletter:
He was also featured on page 5 of the state newsletter:
https://cnps.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/bulletin-v36.4_oct-dec2006.pdf;