TM
BOTANY OF LA BREA
The Californian floral province of the late Pleistocene thrived in a more humid climate than what we experience today.
Click on each plant community to learn more about their flora.
PLANT COMMUNITIES
Modeled By: @Brippu
Pinyon-Juniper Woodland
Pinyon-juniper woodland is an open forest biome dominated by juniper shrubs and pine trees. Pinyon-juniper woodland has 3 transitionary subtypes based on elevation that range from: grassy savannah, sparse shrubland, and persistent woodland. The densest woodland is found at the highest elevations where tree-sized pines are the dominant plant life. Among the flora from this biome you would not see in the hills today were the Monterey pine and Monterey cypress.
Sage-Chaparral Scrubland
Formally known as the California Coastal Sage and Chaparral Subecoregion, this low scrubland community is dominated by evergreen shrubs. It is highly diverse, consisting of multiple plant communities. The dominant shrubs include sagebrush, chamise, and buckwheat, while succulents like prickly pear and yucca are also commonplace.
Oak-Laurel Parkland
Oak-Laurel parkland is characterized by a canopy where 20-60% is composed of tree-sized coast live oaks. These oaks form "islands" of flora distinct from the surrounding landscape, creating a wetter, shadier understory beneath their canopy. This biome gradually transitions into open oak savanna, interspersed with sagebrush and grasslands.
Hillside Prairie
Hillside prairie, also known as California coastal prairie, is a grassland plant community defined by its dominant grass species. Sparse shrubs are scattered across the landscape, while flowering perennials like poppies and tarweed blanket the hillsides. This ecosystem depends on regular disturbances, such as grazing, to maintain its health and balance.
Riparian Woodland
Riparian woodland thrives along streams, springs, and gullies, where water-dependent plant life can flourish. Unlike most ecosystems that rely on rainfall, riparian woodlands support plants that require constant access to surface or groundwater. This biome features a multi-layered structure, dominated by willows, sycamores, and walnuts, along with various herbs, sedges, and occasionally palms.