Tierra Redonda
Map SatelliteAn unusually large number of Chorizanthe species, perhaps the largest concentration in any one place, is found in this area. Species include: Chorizanthe membranacea, Chorizanthe douglasii, Chorizanthe staticoides, Chorizanthe obovata (an erect gray-white variety, also a taxon endemic to the south Coast Ranges), Chorizanthe biloba (south Coast Range endemic), Chorizanthe uniaristata, Chorizanthe clevelandii, the rare Aristocapsa insignis (endemic to northern San Luis Obispo and southern Monterey Counties), Mucronea californica, Mucronea perfoliata, Chorizanthe chilense (?), and Systenotheca vortriedei (endemic to the Santa Lucia Mountains in southern Monterey and northern San Luis Obispo Counties).
Additionally there is a large number of species of Astragalus (loco weed) including Astragalus asymmetricus, Astragalus douglasii, Astragalus lentiginosus var. nigricalycis, Astragalus macrodon and Astragalus oxyphysus.
A number of relict species and local endemic species as well as infrequent species occur here: Lasthenia leptalea, Adenostoma sparsifolium (very few scattered individuals), Castilleja densiflora ssp. obispoensis, Lotus hamatus, Ericameria ericoides, Malacothamnus davidsonii, and Mimulus palmeri. The Malacothamnus, Lotus and Mimulus are all disjuncts of southern California species.
The biotic communities include chaparral, grassland and savanna oak-pine woodland. The north slopes of Tierra Redonda are a mixture of oak-pine woodland, grassy areas and tall-growing chaparral shrubs.
There are a few areas which are swampy in spring, and an adobe-clay bog.
The soils are varied and include limestone and conglomerate outcrops, but most of the soils are sandy. On the west side of the mountain top there are real sand dunes with a variety of psammiphilous species: Eriophyllum multicaule, Gilia tenuiflora and the endemic Camissonia campestris ssp. obispoensis.
There is a rich faunal assemblage including ringtails, Bassariscus astutus, and bobcats, Lynx rufus.
Tierra Redonda is a broad, table-top mountain, with precipitous slopes. Several small, intermittent creeks originate near the crest. There are Indian remains on the mountain top.
Integrity: Portions of the area have been grazed. There are some jeep trails. The trail to the top crosses private land.
Use: Research, education, light recreation. A wilderness park for the top has been proposed.
February 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
