Shell Creek Area
Map SatelliteIncluded in this area is Shell Creek between Camatta and Fernandez Creeks and the hilly country to the east and west. Two plant communities are prominent here, an open oak woodland, almost park-like, with blue oak, Quercus douglasii, and gray pine, Pinus sabiniana, and grassland.
There is an unusually rich floral assemblage here. Many of the wildflowers present are disjunct species with southern or desert affinities. These include Gilia latiflora, Linanthus parryae, Linanthus dichotomus, Phacelia fremontii, Oenothera deltoides var. cognata and Guillenia lemmonii. The rare Chlorogalum purpureum var. reductum is found here.
Geologically, the area is composed of Upper Miocene marine sedimentaries, primarily of the Santa Margarita formation. Invertebrate fossils, especially Ostra titans, an index species for the formation, several pectens and other bivalves are abundant. Fossilized wood has been reported in the area.
Integrity: There are various roads in the area but most of it is relatively undisturbed.
Use: Private
January 1978
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
