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Map Satellite One of the larger valleys in the San Jacinto Mountains, Garner Valley supports extensive grasslands, primarily exotic, mixed with stands of open pine woodland dominated by ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa. Thomas Mountain forms the southwestern border of the valley. On its lower slopes are stands of chaparral, with Ceanothus spp., Arctostaphylos spp., and chamise, Adenostoma fasciculatum, the dominants, which give way to a mixed conifer forest in the upper elevations of the mountain. Several rare plants occur in the area, Arabis johnstonii, Chaenactis parishii, Layia platyglossa, and Penstemon californicus. Others of interest reported from the area include Delphinium hesperium var. cuyamacae and Machaeranthera canescens. Animal life is typical of the region. Thomas Mountain is underlain by Mesozoic granitics. The valley floor is Quaternary alluvium and there are Pleistocene nonmarine terrace deposits along the southwestern edge. Integrity: The valley is grazed; there are roads, fences, scattered buildings and other ranch developments. Several subdivisions are being developed on the slopes of the mountain. Use: Research, educational, observational, on public portions. Some private. December 1980
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
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