Point Lobos State Reserve

The oldest and most renown of the State Park reserves, Point Lobos is of great botanical interest. Of particular note is the occurrence of two rare trees, the Monterey cypress, Cupressus macrocarpa, and the Gowen cypress, Cupressus goveniana. Both cypresses are known from only one other site, both on the Monterey peninsula; Cupressus macrocarpa is found within a few hundred meters of the coast, Cupressus goveniana, further inland. (See Cypress Point, Huckleberry Hill.) Here, the former is found on granitic soils on the northern portion of the Point; the latter, on sandstone-derived soils inland along Gibson Creek.

Additionally, the more widespread, yet relatively restricted, Monterey pine, Pinus radiata, occurs here. (See Cambria Monterey Pines, Coastways Ranch.) The pine grows on the sandstone soils in the southern part of the Reserve, in pure stands and also in association with the Gowen cypress.

Several other plant communities occur in the Reserve: coastal bluff, coastal sage scrub and the coastal prairie. The latter, which here is at its southernmost limit, includes such species as Triteleia ixioides, Danthonia californica, Deschampsia caespitosa ssp. holciformis and Eryngium armatum, among others.

Over 300 species of plants have been found on the Reserve. Among them are the broad endemics Castilleja latifolia and Lessingia filaginfolia var. filaginifolia, the local endemic, Brodiaea versicolor (?), and the rare Dichondra donnelliana, Eriogonum parvifolium var. lucidum and Perideridia gairdneri ssp. gairdneri.

Some 250 vertebrates, primarily birds, have been sighted on the Reserve. Several species of birds nest here, including Brandt's and pelagic cormorants, Phalacrocorax penicillatus and Phalacrocorax pelagicus. The endangered brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, nested here until 1963 and eventually may recolonize this, its northernmost breeding site.

Geologically, two main rock types are present; Mesozoic granites are found on the northerly coastline and, to the south, they are overlain by the Paleocene Carmelo Formation of coarse sandstones and conglomerates.

See also Point Lobos Ecological Reserve.

Integrity: The Reserve was established in 1933 and is in excellent condition. There are trails and roads in the area. The Gowen cypress lies inland, east of Highway One, from the main portion of the Park.

Use: Present

Ref: mason, H. L. 19 . Flora of Point Lobos State Reserve.

April 1981